You guys got any tips on removing the LCA Bushings/bolts and installing new ones? on my old car I had to take them to a shop to get the job done, but it was like $70 labor. Id like DIY this time if possible. you guys got any tricks to get these out and put in new ones? these things are little bastards.

 

you want to remove the LCA to replace the bushing and the bolt?

 

basically what it comes down to is it looks like the bolt is seized to the bushing...typical of rear LCA shock bolts. I had a shop try to remove it, but it wouldnt budge and would have just broken the bushing/bolt. So I ordered new bushings/bolts and plan to do whatever it takes to remove the current ones, mostly likely ruining the bolt and bushing. I think I have a method of how to get the new bushings in(creatively using a vice) but removing the current ones are gonna be a bizznatch.

 

$70 may seem expensive but I bet once you start doing it yourself, you'd wish you just spent that $70 and gotten it over with.

That being said..... remove the LCA completely. Use a torch to burn as much rubber as you can and push the center sleeve (and the bolt if it's stuck in there) out so you're left with the outer metal sleeve and some rubber remnants. Use a sawzall to cut a slit in the outer sleeve and then knock the sleeve out with a chisel and hammer. Putting in the new bushing is the easiest part; lube it up first so it doesnt squeak.

I've done this several times and sometimes the outer sleeve pops right out after I cut it, but other times it takes me an hour of jerking with it and making more cuts (and getting very pissed off!) to get it to slide out.

Good luck.

Justin

 

thanks for the help, good tips. now if I can just find someone with a torch...

 

It's really not the right way to go about it, but if you can't find a torch to use, a little gas and a match will work. Get the rubber burning with the gas. It works, but takes a long time.

 

When mine seized up, I used 2 long ratchets on the bolt and the nut, and I snapped the welded nut on the lca. Once you snap the nut off (gives off a loud pop), you can use a punch to drive the bolt through the lca bushing. When I installed new coilovers, I was able to re-use the lca bushings, and I just re-tightened the nut w/o welding it back on.