Sway bar link bushing install, frustrated in FLl

[Young1]

Ok it is night 2 and no luck getting the pulyurathane bushing into the sway bar while it is on the car. Yes I removed the thin metal sleeve. Yes all is lubed with supplied grease. I need a proven technique that works!

[Karl]

When in doubt go to YouTube.

https://youtu.be/jhM0BHQ2STU

Good luck!

[Ccmano]

It will require a press of some sort. A big vice or a C clamp style ball joint tool will do the job too. Just did my entire suspension but I had a 20 ton Harbor Freight press.
H
:cheers:

[Young1]

Looks like I need to pick up a large c clamp. Thank you gentlemen.



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[Flyman 27]

Looks like I need to pick up a large c clamp. Thank you gentlemen.



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The ball joint tool sold on ebay has what you need in the kit. Kill 2 birds with one stone. It has an oversized "C" clamp plus the adapters for ball joints. You would then have the tools to R+R ball joints for the future.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ABN-Ball-Joint-Press-10pc-Set-Tool-Bushing-Removal-Tool-Service-Kit/123583552348?hash=item1cc6275b5c:rk:4:pf:0

[JFFerner]

Some auto parts store ie Auto Zone have loaner tool kits. Just provide a credit card as a deposit & get refunded when tool is returned.

[Young1]

I got them in holding a socket the bushing and the C clamp all in one hand. A bit of fumbling but didn't take too long thanks for the help.

[Ccmano]

Good work, just wait till you have to do the rest of the bushings. I paid less for the press than what the machine shop wanted to press the old bushings and ball joints out and in.
H
:cheers:

[Young1]

Those little ones were my last. I took the bones and the bars to a friends shop and pressed them out there. I am just doing the rear at this time. When I do things myself I buy the best parts and needed tools. Saves a bunch.


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[32valvZ]

I have almost all the rear done... I just need to install the thrust arms I think they are... the big ones on the bottom that go from the knuckle to the center section.... bushings are all in, just need to swap arms...

I been skeered to tackle the fronts... I have all the ES bushings sitting on the bench too.... I have a 12 ton press that should work... i hope... I wanted this done by the spring... I hope I can muster up the time & courage to get it done...

[Ccmano]

I have almost all the rear done... I just need to install the thrust arms I think they are... the big ones on the bottom that go from the knuckle to the center section.... bushings are all in, just need to swap arms...

I been skeered to tackle the fronts... I have all the ES bushings sitting on the bench too.... I have a 12 ton press that should work... i hope... I wanted this done by the spring... I hope I can muster up the time & courage to get it done...

I just did all of mine. The front is not that hard. Just takes a bit of patience. The upper control arms are the most fun. Make a support for the uppers from a piece of angle iron. Makes pressing the new bushings much easier. Toughest part was removing the upper ball joints. Grind off the tops of the rivets and remove the old joint. Then (carefully) grind the remaining rivets flush with the arm. Use your press to press the remaining rivet out of the arm. FSM says you can drive the rivets out with a punch and hammer. I’m here to tell you that does not work well. The entire front can be done in a couple days if you take it slow. Now is the time to do it.
H
:cheers:

[32valvZ]

Believe it or not, I have done the upper ball joints on a couple of other C4's and other cars as well... I left the upper arm in place and drilled the rivets out and used a punch to drive them out. It worked well actually...

I dont have a problem with my front end, just wanted to replace all the rubber bushings... I wasnt planning on doing ball joints really this time around. Car drives straight and true. Only have 34k miles on it.