How do I get these type of control arm bushings in????

[David Womby]

I mashed a bushing today trying to get it in. They have no outer metal shell. That is the way they are supposed to be for this car (1964 Bristol 408). I've never seen bushings that did not either have a metal outer sleeve bonded to them or, for poly, where you reuse the sleeve from the old bushings. Anyway, I tried pressing these today using a vise. The inner metal sleeve ended up in about 3/4 of the way - about level with the far side of the control arm - but the rubber went further and protruded about 1/8 in beyond the control arm and was visibly mushroomed. The end I was pushing from has also mushroomed the rubber. At both ends now the rubber protrudes beyond the metal sleeve. It is firmly stuck. I expect to have to cut this bushing out and order more from the UK.

I don't know what I am doing wrong. I honed the control arm openings with a brake hone to be sure they were clean and smooth, I froze the bushing for 2 days, I lubed the opening and bushing generously with silicone lube. I pressed using a vise as no local shop will promise not to destroy the bushings. They say they've never seen one without a metal outer shell!

Is there a better way to press them than the vise? Something that prevents the expansion outwards of the rubber? Should I try more honing of the control arm hole?

David

 

[69Bee]

Is the inner sleeve removable, or is the rubber molded onto it? If it will come out, remove it, install the rubber with a rubber lubricant, and then install the sleeve into the bushing with the rubber lubricant also.

 

[David Womby]

Sadly, no. The inner metal sleeve is bonded in there.

David

 

[R/T Boy 67]

They were probably installed with some form of tapered sleeve, like the hubs on some outboard motor propellers

 

[dvw]

Make sure you have lube on the bushing. I'd use a short bolt with a wide flat washerto guise the bushing as well.
Doug

 

[David Womby]

Make sure you have lube on the bushing. I'd use a short bolt with a wide flat washerto guise the bushing as well.
Doug

I had lubed the bushing too. I can't picture how to use the bolt you suggest. Can you clarify, please?

David

 

[dvw]

Bolt the fits in the sleeve But does not stick all the way thru. Flat washer nder the head of the bolt to allow press on the sleeve and the bushing at the same time.
Doug

 

[David Womby]

Bolt the fits in the sleeve But does not stick all the way thru. Flat washer nder the head of the bolt to allow press on the sleeve and the bushing at the same time.
Doug

Doug, thanks. I get it now but the vise I used had full endplates that pressed on rubber and metal inner sleeve at same time. The pic of the vise is misleading because the socket on the right was added later to try to push the stuck bushing out again (and failed).

So I think I was pressing on metal and rubber evenly when I messed up anyway.

David

 

[David Womby]

The consensus of the specialists for this car from the other side of the pond is: don't freeze these bushings. The rubber needs to be relatively soft and pliable (odd thought as these things are like metalastic engine mount rubber) ; and, don't press on the metal inner sleeve, just on the surrounding rubber using a suitable sized socket.

I am trying to pluck up the courage to try one that way tomorrow.

David

 

[David Womby]

Maybe I am not lubing enough or the boreholes need more smoothing but I tried another today with no luck.

The bushing had been in the sun all day and read 76F on my IR thermometer. I used a 3/4in socket that fitted perfectly - it's outer edges exactly matching the end of the bushing. The socket made no contact with the metal sleeve in the bushing. Once the bushing had gone about halfway in, the rubber at the pushed end started to bulge and the socket started to sink into the rubber. When I took it apart, I could see the socket pushing the rubber has torn it away from the inner metal sleeve.

That's two upper control arm bushings I've failed with. I wish I had some way to limit the bulging of the rubber as it gets pushed in.

Not sure what to do next at this stage.

David

 

[R/T Boy 67]

I wasn't kidding about the tapered sleeve. I made a lot of them in different sizes for a propeller shop years ago. The inserts were the same type, with no outer sleeve.

 

[David Womby]

I wasn't kidding about the tapered sleeve. I made a lot of them in different sizes for a propeller shop years ago. The inserts were the same type, with no outer sleeve.

Thanks. I wasn't ignoring your suggestion but, searching the web, I couldn't see any pics illustrating such a thing. Are they something that can be purchaesed?

David

 

[R/T Boy 67]

Search websites dedicated to your car, to see if they are made. Next best is have one made by someone with a lathe. It should be about as long as the bushing with a tapered bore that is the same dimension as the control arm hole on the small end and the same size as the outside of the rubber on the big end.

 

[David Womby]

Search websites dedicated to your car, to see if they are made. Next best is have one made by someone with a lathe. It should be about as long as the bushing with a tapered bore that is the same dimension as the control arm hole on the small end and the same size as the outside of the rubber on the big end.

I think they are unlikely to exist for the car I have but I will ask in the UK. I do have a machinist locally who I am sure could make one for me if needed. Thanks.

David

 

[Daves69]

Maybe something similar to a ring compressor.
Possibly a couple hose clamps and some shim stock?

 

[David Womby]

Maybe something similar to a ring compressor.
Possibly a couple hose clamps and some shim stock?

View attachment 1551489

Might be worth a try. Thanks.


David

 

[Daves69]

Maybe even a larger metal bushing you can slice down the side and collapse with clamps might work if shim isn't heavy enough.

Here's a local hardware store steel bushing I went the other way with (expanded) to repair a Durango rear heater panel ............

 

[David Womby]

Thanks.

After failing with fitting 2 of the 4 upper control arm bushings, I thought I'd try a lower control arm one today. I used the same method: silicone lube and a bench vise to press them in.

Did all four lower control arms in less than 15 minutes!

I remeasured everything. Here's what I found.

Uppers
Hole - 1" dia. Bushing 1 1/16" dia. 1 7/8" long. So bushing is 106.25% larger than hole.
Lowers:
Hole - 1 5/16" dia. Bushing 1 11/32" dia. 1 29/32" long. So bushing is 102.38% larger than hole.

I also discovered the upper ones are 1/8" longer than the ones I took out.

So, I am thinking the upper bushings are just a bit too big to fit. I will be contacting the supplier in the morning.

David

 

[R/T Boy 67]

It is good to see that you are making progress.

 

[1STMP]

Just a suggestion, but try using
baby powder as your lubricant.
Silicon can swell the rubber enough
to change the bushings physical
properties, ie...its' diameter.