Front suspension revamp assistance!
Ok, now i am having issues removing the shafts from my control arms. I am drilling the rubber out of the current bushings, and then i plan to cut the the sleeve with a dremel cutoff wheel. Will this work well? I have heard of this before, but first time trying it. Or does anyone know of any easier way? I thought i saw a thread somewhere explaining this, but i didn't bookmark it and cant find it.
use a propane torch and heat the rubber till it oozes. You can hammer it out easy then. I cut the sleave with a sawzall. 1 cut at each end so a piece falls out of the middle. Then knock each end out. You collapse the pieces to make them fall out.
Very important.. Forgot to mention. Before you beat this stuff up, Cat a piece of angle iron or half pipe the size of the space between the frame sides. This will be used to hold that size when you install new ones. I used the vice to push new ones in.
I took the chicken way out and had them pushed out and new ones pushed in at a friend's shop. He also put the lower ball joints in for me at the same time. Painless, and no bent A arms.
Ok, so i got them out and the control arms are empty and stripped now. I know i have asked this before, or read it somewhere but, i was curious if i should upgrade the control arm shaft to new ones, and if so, should i get the offset ones? Will they make that much of a difference during the alignment process? Anxious to get started with reassembly after i apply the POR-15 this weekend after a good cleaning and prep spray, so i want to be sure what to order if anything and have it here when they UCAs , LCAs, and subframe dry.
I f the shafts are solid , use them. Offset shafts are to correct alignment problems.Over time the subframe can bend and pull the tops of the wheels closer to each other. Your front end shop will know when you get there.
Just a Reminder... if your Can of POR-15 did not have the sticker on the can.... "The only thing that Takes POR-15 off your skin is...TIME" POR-15 cures by sucking water out of the air... or your skin... trust me I know... Used it one a few years back.. great stuff, but it can get messy. It is as thin as water but hardens up in a moist weather the best... you know like here in Florida in the summer time!!!


