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[GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348383] Sun, 22 September 2019 16:27 Go to next message
Gerard Hickey is currently offline  Gerard Hickey   United States
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2019
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Member
I am in the process of replacing the upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has been about a days worth of work and I just got the lower control arm back in place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet, figured that I would work on the upper bushings before it gets tightened up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones pressed in. I am sure I am doing something the hard way. Wish I had a shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the rain.So does anyone out there have any tips on how to replace the bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have some invaluable experience with how to make the job easier.I am now on the clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I plan to be heading down to the GMC Western States rally on 10/2. So any help would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any tips or hints directly. I am sitting in the RV for a while waiting for the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
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Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348384 is a reply to message #348383] Sun, 22 September 2019 17:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
6cuda6 is currently offline  6cuda6   United States
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Registered: June 2019
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Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane?




Gerard Hickey wrote on Sun, 22 September 2019 17:27
I am in the process of replacing the upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has been about a days worth of work and I just got the lower control arm back in place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet, figured that I would work on the upper bushings before it gets tightened up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones pressed in. I am sure I am doing something the hard way. Wish I had a shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the rain.So does anyone out there have any tips on how to replace the bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have some invaluable experience with how to make the job easier.I am now on the clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I plan to be heading down to the GMC Western States rally on 10/2. So any help would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any tips or hints directly. I am sitting in the RV for a while waiting for the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
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Rich Mondor, Brockville, ON 77 Hughes 2600
Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348389 is a reply to message #348384] Sun, 22 September 2019 18:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gerard Hickey is currently offline  Gerard Hickey   United States
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Registered: June 2019
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They are the bushings I got from Jim K's site. The lower ones definitely feel like urethane and the upper ones feel like rubber to me.Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
-------- Original message --------From: tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist Date: 9/22/19 3:07 PM (GMT-08:00) To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org Cc: tonka6cuda6@hotmail.com Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane? Gerard Hickey wrote on Sun, 22 September 2019 17:27> I am in the process of replacing the upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has been about a days worth of work and> I just got the lower control arm back in place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet, figured that I would work on the> upper bushings before it gets tightened up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones pressed in. I am sure I am doing> something the hard way. Wish I had a shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the rain.So does anyone out there have> any tips on how to replace the bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have some invaluable experience with how to make> the job easier.I am now on the clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I plan to be heading down to the GMC Western> States rally on 10/2. So any help would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any tips or hints directly. I am sitting in> the RV for a while waiting for the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device> _______________________________________________> GMCnet mailing list> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org-- Rich Mondor,Brockville, ON77 Hughes 2600_______________________________________________GMCnet mailing listUnsubscribe or Change List Options:http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348397 is a reply to message #348389] Sun, 22 September 2019 18:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
Lotta tricks to get those old bushings out. One often used involves use of
a oxy/acetelyne torch (quick heat) vs a bernz-o-matic propane torch. Too
slow. Heat the outside of the bore until it smokes heavily, nearly burning
and then just drive them out with a broad punch and a substantial hammer.
Another involves a long drill bit 5/16" or so, and a powerful drill
motor. Drill a series of holes through the bushing and pick out the pieces.
Big pain in my book.
Upper bushings, different deal. Press out the metal sleeve in the
middle of the bushing, then the rubber part. DO NOT PRESS the whole control
arm, you WILL bend it. Ask me how I learned this lesson. Steve Ferguson
warned me, but, I had to learn the hard (expensive) way.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon

On Sun, Sep 22, 2019, 4:10 PM Gerard Hickey via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> They are the bushings I got from Jim K's site. The lower ones definitely
> feel like urethane and the upper ones feel like rubber to me.Sent from my
> T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
> -------- Original message --------From: tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist Date:
> 9/22/19 3:07 PM (GMT-08:00) To: mailto:gmclist@list.gmcnet.org Cc:
> mailto:tonka6cuda6@hotmail.com Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension
> bushings Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane? Gerard Hickey
> wrote
> on Sun, 22 September 2019 17:27> I am in the process of replacing the
> upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has
> been
> about a days worth of work and> I just got the lower control arm back in
> place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet,
> figured that I would work on the> upper bushings before it gets tightened
> up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones
> pressed in. I am sure I am doing> something the hard way. Wish I had a
> shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the
> rain.So does anyone out there have> any tips on how to replace the
> bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have
> some
> invaluable experience with how to make> the job easier.I am now on the
> clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I
> plan
> to be heading down to the GMC Western> States rally on 10/2. So any help
> would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any
> tips or hints directly. I am sitting in> the RV for a while waiting for
> the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent
> from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device>
> _______________________________________________> GMCnet mailing list>
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:>
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org-- Rich
> Mondor,Brockville, ON77 Hughes
> 2600_______________________________________________GMCnet mailing
> listUnsubscribe or Change List
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>
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Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348398 is a reply to message #348383] Sun, 22 September 2019 18:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
6cuda6 is currently offline  6cuda6   United States
Messages: 975
Registered: June 2019
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Senior Member
Jim beat me to it....lol.

Rich Mondor, Brockville, ON 77 Hughes 2600
Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348401 is a reply to message #348383] Sun, 22 September 2019 19:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
Senior Member
Don't tighten bushing bolts until it is sitting at ride height. Otherwise you wind up the bushings

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348422 is a reply to message #348397] Sun, 22 September 2019 23:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gerard Hickey is currently offline  Gerard Hickey   United States
Messages: 53
Registered: June 2019
Karma: 1
Member
I ended up going back up to O'Reilly's on the hope that they had the
tools to remove and install the bushings. Unfortunately, they did not.
While sitting in their parking lot I did some searching and found the
Ridetech bushing tool to remove and insert the bushings. Looks fairly
straight forward and if it works it will make the job much easier.

https://www.ridetech.com/products/streetgrip/bushing-installation-removal-tool/

It will arrive on Tuesday and it may be a couple of days before I have
enough time (and the rain slows down) to work on the bushings. I will
certainly report back if it was as easy as they indicate in the video. I
suspect not given that the bushings have probably been in there for
about 40 years, but I am hoping it will be far more efficient than my
other options.

I found that trying to get the lower control arm back in place was a lot
of pounding, swearing and using a jack to lift the arm. Anyone have any
techniques to make that better or is it always going to be a lot of
pounding and swearing?

Thanks.

--
Gerard Hickey / WTØF IRLP:3067/Echolink:529661
hickey@kinetic-compute.com DMR: 3102272
425-395-4554

On 9/22/19 4:31 PM, James Hupy via Gmclist wrote:
> Lotta tricks to get those old bushings out. One often used involves use of
> a oxy/acetelyne torch (quick heat) vs a bernz-o-matic propane torch. Too
> slow. Heat the outside of the bore until it smokes heavily, nearly burning
> and then just drive them out with a broad punch and a substantial hammer.
> Another involves a long drill bit 5/16" or so, and a powerful drill
> motor. Drill a series of holes through the bushing and pick out the pieces.
> Big pain in my book.
> Upper bushings, different deal. Press out the metal sleeve in the
> middle of the bushing, then the rubber part. DO NOT PRESS the whole control
> arm, you WILL bend it. Ask me how I learned this lesson. Steve Ferguson
> warned me, but, I had to learn the hard (expensive) way.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Oregon
>
> On Sun, Sep 22, 2019, 4:10 PM Gerard Hickey via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> They are the bushings I got from Jim K's site. The lower ones definitely
>> feel like urethane and the upper ones feel like rubber to me.Sent from my
>> T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
>> -------- Original message --------From: tonka6cuda6--- via Gmclist Date:
>> 9/22/19 3:07 PM (GMT-08:00) To: mailto:gmclist@list.gmcnet.org Cc:
>> mailto:tonka6cuda6@hotmail.com Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension
>> bushings Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane? Gerard Hickey
>> wrote
>> on Sun, 22 September 2019 17:27> I am in the process of replacing the
>> upper and lower control arm bushings. Man what a pain in the a**. It has
>> been
>> about a days worth of work and> I just got the lower control arm back in
>> place and the bolts put back in.have not yet torqued everything up yet,
>> figured that I would work on the> upper bushings before it gets tightened
>> up. The lower bushings were murder trying to get them out and the new ones
>> pressed in. I am sure I am doing> something the hard way. Wish I had a
>> shop with a pit, it would make some of this easier and I would be out of the
>> rain.So does anyone out there have> any tips on how to replace the
>> bushings? I know that some of you have done this job before and will have
>> some
>> invaluable experience with how to make> the job easier.I am now on the
>> clock with making sure that the front end gets done and back together. I
>> plan
>> to be heading down to the GMC Western> States rally on 10/2. So any help
>> would be appreciated. Number here is 425-395-4554 if you want provide any
>> tips or hints directly. I am sitting in> the RV for a while waiting for
>> the rain to die down a bit here in North Seattle. Thanks--Gerard HickeySent
>> from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device>
>> _______________________________________________> GMCnet mailing list>
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:>
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org-- Rich
>> Mondor,Brockville, ON77 Hughes
>> 2600_______________________________________________GMCnet mailing
>> listUnsubscribe or Change List
>> Options:http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
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>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
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> _______________________________________________
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Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348438 is a reply to message #348422] Mon, 23 September 2019 11:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
powwerjon is currently offline  powwerjon   United States
Messages: 849
Registered: March 2013
Karma: -2
Senior Member
Gerald,

Bushing removal and installation procedure and tools:

Start at first picture and go right for 9 more.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/1-ton-installation/p41668-pressing-the-old-bushings-out.html
Next 5 pictures in series, go right for 5 more.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/1-ton-installation/p41662-cutting-the-rubber-flange-makes-bushing-removal-easier.html

Look at Robs tool set, I have the same tool set.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6282-front-control-arm-bushing-tools.html

Drews album
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4860-front-alignment-26amp-3b-offset-bushings.html

More tool setup:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4495-control-arm-bushing-replacement.html

A must have to prevent damage to the control arm bushing area is the spacer shown in this picture and similar in all kits.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/control-arm-bushing-replacement/p17360.html

Unsure if the kit you have will fit that area, take a look at all these albums and read the captions.

J.R. Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMCGL Tech Editor
GMC Eastern States Charter Member
GMCMI
78 GMC Buskirk 29.5’ Stretch
75 GMC Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

> On Sep 23, 2019, at 12:52 AM, Gerard Hickey via Gmclist wrote:
>
> I ended up going back up to O'Reilly's on the hope that they had the tools to remove and install the bushings. Unfortunately, they did not. While sitting in their parking lot I did some searching and found the Ridetech bushing tool to remove and insert the bushings. Looks fairly straight forward and if it works it will make the job much easier.
>
> https://www.ridetech.com/products/streetgrip/bushing-installation-removal-tool/
>
> It will arrive on Tuesday and it may be a couple of days before I have enough time (and the rain slows down) to work on the bushings. I will certainly report back if it was as easy as they indicate in the video. I suspect not given that the bushings have probably been in there for about 40 years, but I am hoping it will be far more efficient than my other options.
>
> I found that trying to get the lower control arm back in place was a lot of pounding, swearing and using a jack to lift the arm. Anyone have any techniques to make that better or is it always going to be a lot of pounding and swearing?
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Gerard Hickey

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Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348474 is a reply to message #348384] Tue, 24 September 2019 01:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
Senior Member
6cuda6 wrote on Sun, 22 September 2019 17:07
Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane?
After reading this thread I think he is doing rubber bushings. Urethane bushings are much simpler to install because you do not have to press out the old bushing sleeve and press in the new one. I did all 4 arms installing urethane in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Using a torch a wire brush on drill and a vice to press in he new ones. It is the pressing in and out of the rubber ones that is a real pain. You need the special spacers to prevent damaging the arms.

It is too late now but I would have told you to get the urethane ones.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348487 is a reply to message #348474] Tue, 24 September 2019 11:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
Senior Member
Miguel M. at MGM GMC will show you a easy way.
Our shop used his method.
Call him: 909-229-7508

On Mon, Sep 23, 2019 at 11:39 PM Ken Burton via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:

> 6cuda6 wrote on Sun, 22 September 2019 17:07
>> Are you putting rubber bushing back in or urethane?
>
> After reading this thread I think he is doing rubber bushings. Urethane
> bushings are much simpler to install because you do not have to press out
> the
> old bushing sleeve and press in the new one. I did all 4 arms installing
> urethane in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Using a torch a wire brush on drill and a
> vice to press in he new ones. It is the pressing in and out of the rubber
> ones that is a real pain. You need the special spacers to prevent damaging
> the arms.
>
> It is too late now but I would have told you to get the urethane ones.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
Re: [GMCnet] Front suspension bushings [message #348504 is a reply to message #348383] Tue, 24 September 2019 19:42 Go to previous message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
Senior Member
I'd never go Urethane on bushings. It's a low to mid temp plastic. The EPDM lasted 40 years. It's hot in that engine room. Plus I want road shock isolation.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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