I have been thinking of doing a ES bushing kit install on my car but from reading previous posts it sounds like it would be a PITA w/o a press. I was looking on snapon.com and they had this tool:



Having never installed bushings before I'm having a hard time imagining if this could do the same job as a press. Anyone try a tool like this before?

 

When I was doing my install, I was doing web searches and I ran across someone who was using a homemade version of this. He used a socket on one side (the receiving end) a stack of correctly sized washers on the other, and a bolt between the two. As he tightened the bolt, the washers pressed the bushing into the socket.

...wait a minute... that set's $402 dollars??? That's WAY more than you need to spend.


[Modified by JeffS, 3:50 PM 4/4/2002]

 

I just used the picture as an example. No way can I spend $400 on a specialty tool. I was just wondering if there is some sort of specialty hand tool that I could use instead of a press.

 

This is easier.

Take everything that gets new bushings off the car
Call any local machine shop and take all your stuff to them
Pick up your parts that afternoon and reinstall everything on the car

I work at a manufacturing facility and am lucky to have access to just about anything tool related. Having a big press do the work saves a ton of time and headaches.

 

What JOHNG said.

taking the LCA'a to a local garage is your best (and cheapest) bet. however washers, sockets, and some threaded rod would probably work.

there is no way in hell i would pay $404 for it though!!!! I like flowers and a nice bottle of wine before i get F'ed! It kills me what people charge for tools!

Mike

 

I'm sorry, johng, did you just say "Mike, why don't you go buy some Poly bushings, and bring them, with all your suspension pieces, to me, and I'll take care of them for you in exchange for a yet-to-be determined quantity of $ and "?

I wasn't sure I heard you right, so I wanted to clarify. =P

-Mike
P.S. I don't think I'm in a position to do that just yet. But someday I might be.

 

What about this beast? Quite a bit cheaper.
http://www.cartools.com/Merchant2/me...tegory_Code=MT

 

That's not really the same thing, but along those lines...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38145

This works on everything but the largest bushing on the front lca. I had to go buy a $4 socket to get that one out.

 

Ugh all these opinions. I can't decide if I should spend a hundred bucks on labor or tools. Anyone got any idea how much ($ or hours) a shop would charge to R&R the bushings if I bring the parts in?
I'm thinking 2 front LCAs and UCAs, 2 rear trailing arms, 4 rear LCAs and 2 rear UCAs?
All I've done so far were the front radius rods which were real easy.
I haven't looked at my front sway bar bushings yet, are those usually easy to do?
Thanks.

 

It wouldn't take very long. All of the old bushings need to be pressed out, but not all of the new bushings need to be pressed in. If I remember right, the two big a$$ bushings at the rear (pivot) point of the front lower control arms, and the 4 front upper control arm bushings need a press to get them in.

John -- who might get killed (or at least severly duct-taped) by his maintinence crew if he makes a regular habit of bringing his "car stuff" to them. Full body duct-tape takes a long time to get out of.

 

Thanks for the tips johng (and everyone who agreed with johng). I think I'm going to try to make a new friend who has access to a press