Energy Suspension Urethane Bushing Install, Part One; Rear Control Arms:I removed the rear axle complete w/phb and control arms. I'll be reinforcing the stock phb mount and swapping in a lighter HF axle beam w/'teg brakes, so, I needed the entire rear axle assembly outta there! While the rear control arms are out, it's the perfect time to install the ES urethane bushings. I bought the 1g/3g "Master Set", P/N 16.18101G (black) from Summit Racing for $76.
To install the ES rear control arm bushings, the factory rubber bushings (w/steel insert) must be removed...some people use gear pullers, some people take them to a machine shop to have them pressed out...some people just knaw them out w/their teeth!
...kidding. This is what I did:
The starting point:
I decided to drill the rubber out, then "torch" the remaining bushing:
The rubber is dense and really heats the bit...I used penetrating oil to make the drilling easier. Then I thought to "link" the holes using a coping saw:
...the rubber is tough; I snapped the blade after getting 3/4 of the way around. I just used brute force (sharp chisel) to get the rest of the way. Finally, I got the steel insert out:
...and now for the fun part: FIRE!
Yup, had to burn out the remaining rubber. I used a propane torch...FLAME ON!
...once lit, the rubber just burns itself out. After about five minutes of burning, I used a large screwdriver to push the remaining molten rubber out of the housing.
Now, all that drilling and sawing does work in getting the bushings out, but, imo, it's more work then just letting the "mutha burn"! So, for the other control arm, I decided not to drill, but to just burn it out:
...took a longer to burn the entire bushing out, but it was easier. After it burned for a while, I used a screwdriver to push the steel insert out. Then used the torch to burn the remaining bushing for a while then pushed it out...here's the cremated remains of both bushings:
Then I used a wire brush to clean out the housing:
...and knowing
struuuuudel and
lxndr wouldn't be happy unless the parts were spotless (
), I toothbrushed them and shot 'em w/a little paint!
...there, all ready for the bushing install, but, seems like the ES kit I got didn't come w/replacement steel inserts (the part the ca bolt pivots on), so I've got to wait for those before I install...or maybe the newer kits have you reuse the original inserts? Summit is looking into this for me.
Cheers!
Edited by kakabox, 09 December 2009 - 10:18 AM.
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...damn, wish I had thought of it at the time! The EACV dissection was fun though...hope you got some good pics of the surgeon!
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