HELP ME!! -Control Arm Bush

[k130]

Hi all

I've just had my local garage press the bushes in for free and now i'm working on reattaching them to the control arm (and from there the car)...

Any tricks on getting the bloody things onto the control arm, they just wont go...

Please help, my girlfriend wants me to drive her to lakeside in the new year!!

[ian332isport]

Make sure the end of the control arm (where the bush fits) is spotlessly clean. Then get some washing up liquid and lubricate everything and the new bush should push on (in theory).

Ian.

[Brianmoooore]

As Ian says above, then get the bush housing (lollipop) bolted back on, and the car off the jacks ASAP, before the lubricant dries out, so that the bush adjusts itself so that it is not twisted at normal ride height.
Wash off as much wash up liquid as possible with hot water, then leave the car for half a day.

[Martinaston]

If you have the arm off the car it's best to put the bush on the floor and use your weight to push the end in.
If it's still on the car then you best get down the gym.

[k130]

Thank you gentlemen...

Looks like the arm may well have to come off!

[Brianmoooore]

I'm no heavyweight, and I can twist them on ok.
Clean the arm up with emery cloth before you start.
Problem with fitting with the arm off the car is getting the angle right. Best way is to mark the angle of the arm to the bracket on a piece of card before you start.

[E30Mark]

Personally I've done this a couple of times with the control arm still on the car.

As everyone else has said, clean up the end of the control arm, and use loads of washing up liquid. Then place the 'lollipop assy' into a pan of hot water and make sure the heat soaks in for a minute or two.

Then lie on your back and with all your might push the bush assy onto the end of the control arm (lubricate up the rubber bush to..) i find using my feet pushing against the rear wheel helps... Try and get the bush on in one go, if you stop for a breather, you will never get it moving again!

Good luck