Front bushes

[A900ss]

Quick question, I guess the answer is no, can the front bushes be replaced with the wishbones in situ? Can you just release the wishbone at the chassis end, move it enough to get the old bush out and a new bush in?

Happy to replace with poly if it makes it easier getting it in.

Thanks.

[sparkythecat]

No - You'll have to take the wishbone off to do the bushes.

[A900ss]

Thanks.

[mach2]

It is possible but not advisable.
I've just done mine recently and whilst the recommendation would be to remove it all, it's not impossible to do it in situ but would be bl00dy hard work.
The main problem comes when trying to remove the bushes from the wishbone. These are interference fit and over the years will have become seized. The easiest way to remove them involves cutting through the metal and rubber to create a void and then prying them out. This usually involves a fair bit of force.
Obviously this is far easier on a workbench but to be honest you're only undoing another 5 or 6 bolts and the whole wishbone set up is released.

[A900ss]

Thanks Ian

I've decided to get the front bushes done (as well as the ball joints and track rod ends) before I take it to the place you recommended for the geo.

Fingers crossed, car all ready from Easter onwards and I can get back out again on the runs.

Thanks

Karl.

[davelittlewood]

If you're going to take it for a full geo set up then take the wishbones off.

Mark up the front ball joint and the wishbones so you're not going to be going sides when you put it back together and get the wishbones on the bench.

I did mine 2 years ago.

Use some sockets and bolts to pull the inner sleeve and rubber out (the rubber should come out with the inner metal sleeve).
A large socket on the edge of the wish bone and a bolt running through the socket, through3 the bush and nut on the end.

Lots of grease on the threads and pull the inner sleeve and rubber out.

Buy some decent hack saw blades (Sandvik) and then cut through the outer sleeve but be very careful not to cut the wishbone tube.
Then use a small diameter long drift to knock the edges of the sleeve and drive it out.

[OleVix]

I used a 20 ton press and some perfect fit rods and pipe bits to press them out... most came at 2.5 tonnes pressure, but one didnt budge before 12.5 tonnes! You can guess it was quite a bang when it let go

[jojackson4]

OleVix said:

I used a 20 ton press and some perfect fit rods and pipe bits to press them out... most came at 2.5 tonnes pressure, but one didnt budge before 12.5 tonnes! You can guess it was quite a bang when it let go

This^^^^^^^^^^^^
You can have them all out buy the time you have one out with the hacksaw

[OleVix]

jojackson4 said:

This^^^^^^^^^^^^
You can have them all out buy the time you have one out with the hacksaw

Had to use the hacksaw on the upper diff bush though... only option

[jojackson4]

OleVix said:

jojackson4 said:

This^^^^^^^^^^^^
You can have them all out buy the time you have one out with the hacksaw

Had to use the hacksaw on the upper diff bush though... only option

Haven't had the pleasure of that one

[OleVix]

jojackson4 said:

OleVix said:

jojackson4 said:

This^^^^^^^^^^^^
You can have them all out buy the time you have one out with the hacksaw

Had to use the hacksaw on the upper diff bush though... only option

Haven't had the pleasure of that one

Just lift the body and its there even with the body off it was st

[sparkythecat]

When you come to replace the wishbones on the car, with their lovely new bushes in, you may find that that they won't readily slide in between the mounting lugs on the chassis.
As there isn't room to swing a hammer to spread the lugs apart, so you'll need a short length of 10mm threaded bar and some nuts to use as a spreader to enable you to get the wishbones in without chewing up the ends of your new bushes.