In the overall scheme of things, control-arm bushings may seem like a relatively unimportant part of a vintage Chevy musclecar.

In reality, these simple rubber pieces serve two critical purposes. First, the control arms-and thus the vehicle's suspension-pivot on these bushings. And along with the bolts or cross-shafts that run through them, they secure said vehicle's suspension to its frame. But after decades of service, the GM-spec rubber control-arm bushings are often in sorry shape. With this in mind, we set out to replace the original rubber bushings in a typical set of front A-arms with a set of high-performance polyurethane bushings from Energy Suspension.

Even when new, the hole in the center of these rubber donuts-used for their cushioning properties, not their performance qualities-will deflect under load. According to Energy's Billy Harrill, they actually deform with age and exposure to the elements. When this happens, the suspension pivot points get sloppy, and the control arms move in ways the factory never meant them to.

At the very least, rehabbing worn-out original bushings will restore a vehicle's factory handling capabilities. Polyurethane bushings, however, are created to allow less deflection than rubber bushings without creating an unduly harsh ride. So the suspension is provided with a more precise pivot point that changes less under load, leading to improved handling.

A machine shop can easily press out bushings and install the new pieces. On the other hand, as our man Harrill showed us, much of the swap can be done at home, given patience and the right tools. As you decide which is which, remember this: Given what's riding on these bushings, this is a job you want to get right.

  • Control Arm Bushings
    When replacing front control-arm bushings, step one is to remove your vehicle's front control arms. The process is essentially identical for most double A-arm setups, as found on our subject B-body, A-bodies, and a host of other GM offerings. As always, exercise extreme caution-and use the proper tools-when removing coil springs.
    When replacing front control-arm bushings, step one is to remove your vehicle's front cont
  • Control Arm Bushings
    The condition of our Caprice's 20-plus-year-old lower control-arm bushings was typical. The rubber sections were dried and cracked; of more concern was the hole through its center, the suspension's pivot point, which can become deformed over time.
    The condition of our Caprice's 20-plus-year-old lower control-arm bushings was typical. Th
  • Control Arm Bushings
    One bushing on each lower control arm had a flared retaining lip on its inside half. This bushing wouldn't go anywhere with this lip in place, so Energy Suspension's Billy Harrill began by placing the control arm in a bench vise, then tapping it up with a hammer and a small blunt chisel.
    One bushing on each lower control arm had a flared retaining lip on its inside half. This
  • Control Arm Bushings
    On the flip side of the bushing, Harrill recommends trimming away the rubber edge of the bushing with a small set of snips or a razor blade. It makes for one less thing to fight while removing the old bushing.
    On the flip side of the bushing, Harrill recommends trimming away the rubber edge of the b
  • Control Arm Bushings
    Fitting the air hammer with a pickle-fork tip worked much better than the chisel-tip approach we attempted-we'd made some headway, but the chisel began to cut into bushing shell-even so, it was a pretty rugged job. After decades of exposure to the elements, most original suspension bushings are not easily removed.
    Fitting the air hammer with a pickle-fork tip worked much better than the chisel-tip appro
  • Control Arm Bushings
    Harrill started out on a lower control arm with a hammer and blunt chisel. Given that we'd already beat on this particular piece with an air hammer, it came out with only a few whacks on its inner half.
    Harrill started out on a lower control arm with a hammer and blunt chisel. Given that we'd
  • Control Arm Bushings
    Although a number of home methods will work, the best way to accomplish this job is to have a machine shop remove the old bushings with a hydraulic press. When using any kind of press on factory stamped control arms, it's imperative that an appropriately sized spacer be placed between the flanges (arrow) to keep the arms from bending. A piece of metal channel or tubing works well for this purpose.
    Although a number of home methods will work, the best way to accomplish this job is to hav
  • Control Arm Bushings
    While the replacement bushing shells can be installed with a hydraulic press, Harrill showed us an alternative method. Note that the bushing had been disassembled; it was much easier to press in the shell, then insert the bushing and inner sleeve. In this case, Harrill used a simple block of metal for a spacer. The center pipe section of this tool was sized to clear the bushing; as the nuts were tightened, the solid end pieces press the bushing shell in. Make sure the entire bushing flange sits flat against the control arm, rather than at an angle.
    While the replacement bushing shells can be installed with a hydraulic press, Harrill show
  • Control Arm Bushings
    An at-home version of this tool can be made from two thick steel washers, an appropriately sized section of pipe, and a center stud. Harrill used a hardened-steel bicycle axle for this purpose. When fitted with a piece of pipe with a diameter identical to that of the bushing shell, this setup can also be used to press out old bushings.
    An at-home version of this tool can be made from two thick steel washers, an appropriately
  • Control Arm Bushings
    Polyurethane bushings must be thoroughly greased with the included lubricant before they're inserted into the bushing shells. This is not, according to Harrill, a place to be stingy. The grease helps ensure that the assembly moves freely, and without the squeaking that many expect from polyurethane bushings.
    Polyurethane bushings must be thoroughly greased with the included lubricant before they'r
  • Control Arm Bushings
    The inner bushing sleeve also got a liberal coating of grease before it was inserted into the bushing. As long as you're careful not to damage the bushing itself, the sleeve can be pressed in with a pair of channel locks if necessary. Again, note that Harrill used more rather than less grease.
    The inner bushing sleeve also got a liberal coating of grease before it was inserted into
  • Control Arm Bushings
    Moving on to the upper control arms, note that some versions come with a washer on one end of the cross-shaft (arrow). The bushing on this side must be pressed out first. The proper method is with an arbor press. The control-arm flange is supported by the press, avoiding any bending or distortion.
    Moving on to the upper control arms, note that some versions come with a washer on one end
  • Control Arm Bushings
    The arbor press is also the best way to install the new bearing shells. In most cases, the cross-shaft must be in place when the shells are installed, since there won't be clearance to install it afterward.
    The arbor press is also the best way to install the new bearing shells. In most cases, the
  • Control Arm Bushings
    If you're going to attempt to install the upper control-arm bushing shells with something other than an arbor press, the control-arm flanges must be supported be other means. A spacer tube like this one, cut to match the inside width of the flanges, is idea for this purpose.
    If you're going to attempt to install the upper control-arm bushing shells with something
  • Control Arm Bushings
    In our case, the diameter of the bushing openings in our upper control arms was large enough to allow cross-shaft installation after both bushing shells were pressed in. Check this carefully before proceeding; most applications will require that the cross-shaft be installed before the bushing shells.
    In our case, the diameter of the bushing openings in our upper control arms was large enou
  • Control Arm Bushings
    At this point, Harrill installed the bushings, followed by the inner bushing sleeves, all liberally greased. All that remained was to clean these arms up, install a new set of Energy's suspension stops, and reinstall these rehabbed control arms on our waiting Caprice.
    At this point, Harrill installed the bushings, followed by the inner bushing sleeves, all
SOURCE
Energy Suspension
1131 Via Callejon
San Clemente
CA  92673
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