Sway bar link bushing install, frustrated in FLl

[Ccmano]

Originally Posted by 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...

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

[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.