changing front a-arm bushing

[black98V6]

well I did a pre-install check and my lower a-arm bushing (the one toward the rear of the car) is torn and separates when I lift the car in the air so I figure I need to go ahead and change it. I'm gonna be putting in new springs and shocks all the way around this weekend..

now I know I could take it to a shop and let them press the old one out and a new one in but I remember back when I had my blazer all they did was take a cutting torch to take em out, and use a big hammer to "press" the new ones in, I figured if that's all it takes I can do that myself, well with a cutoff tool for the removal and big hammer to reinstall. so my question is has anyone ever fooled with these?? or watched someone do? trying to find out if there is anything that could ruin my day before I started the replacement. Plus I'm doing this over a weekend and want to make sure I can get it all done before monday if at all possible.

thanks

[viper98885]

I used a torch to heat them up and then knock them out. Honestly, it was PITA. I replaced them with poly bushings and have been very happy since. Energy Suspension makes the poly kit if interested.

[black98V6]

well depending on how it goes this afternoon I'm gonna try my air hammer first, I think if I can get the old ones out getting the new one in won't be too bad.. then again I may say f-it and just run it up the road and let the alignment shop pop it out and put the new one in..
thanks for the help!

[CamaroRob97]

Were do they sell the whole kit for the A-Arms and such?

[black98V6]

Originally posted by CamaroRob97:
Were do they sell the whole kit for the A-Arms and such?

I just went with an oem replacement, if you want polurethane you can order those bushings through http://www.thunderracing.com who just happens to be one of our sponsors.

Just thought I'd do a followup taking out the old bushing and instaling the new one was a breeze that was proably the easiest part of my whole weekend of suspension work, now fighting spring compressers trying to get those stiff 1LE springs down was a whole other matter, anyway anybody that wants to do this change, it's really easy to drive out the old bushing with just a small sledge and with a few good whacks the new one was in just set the a-arm on some cinder blocks to make it easier to get the clearance you need to let the bushing slide out and the new one slide in properly