ok... i got them off ...now ..how is the easiest way to replace rear a-arm bushings??.....first time for me, wanna do it right the first time.........

The easiest way... burn out the bushings with a small propane torch. Replace the bushings with the poly. Grease the inner sleaves when reinstalling the a-arms.

If you want to install stock bushings (nice ride), look at the service manual and fake the special remove and install tool with a threaded rod, nuts, washers and some short pieces of pipe. It's easy.

But if you decide to do poly, you will need to leave the old metal housings in there.

THE EASY WAY.........???

if you can be careful with flaming rockets, try this:
dip the bushing in a can of lacquer thinner for 5-10 min.
You can pry between the rubber and the steel housing a bit to ensure that the lacquer thinner gets in there, but not that critical.

Then (obviously away from the lacquer thinner and any other flammables!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) (cover it up and move away a good distance!!) ... take a propane torch to the bushing. It will take about 2-3 min and be burning pretty good.

But you have to keep the BUSHING AIMED AT SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WILL EXPLODE OUT OF THE STEEL SLEEVE LIKE A SMALL ROCKET AND WILL TRAVEL 10- 20 FT IN THE AIR. You aim the 'big' end of the bushing...... that is the end it will come out of.

So have a non-flammable "STOP" of some sort rigged up and keep that thing "aimed" at it all the time you have the torch on it or while it is burning. It WILL explode out with a POP and it will be a small mass of messy flaming rubber, so you have to control it at that time. If you do that no prob. I use a milk crate on its side, with a watered down bunch of cardboard in the bottom; it hits the soft wet cardboard, stops and is no big deal after that.

The problem CAN BE the ball of flaming rubber and the fact that you are holding a torch....... if you are not ready, the temptation is to put down the torch (like drop it!) and the hot control arm and chase the chunk of rubber.!?!

UPSIDE:
If you do this carefully and thoughtfully you end up with a VERY clean steel sleeve and no time or effort and little mess or smoke.

Questions email me; it isn't that hard; you just need to think thru it and be a bit careful with how and where. It WILL be smoky; just not for very long. And it leaves a really nice finish.

[This message has been edited by fiero308 (edited 01-14-2005).]

308... That sounds quick, clean, and entertaining in juvenile blowing up frogs kind of way.

[This message has been edited by AnimalGT (edited 01-14-2005).]