Rear Control Arm Bushings-energy Suspension

[DkIcKmUrPhYs526]

on my rear passenger side there is a bunch of speaks and creaks and it's getting on my last nerve. i took the control arm bolt out of the a-arm and can literally pull the center out with my fingers...i'm guessing it's suppose to be a little more secure than that. i shot some heavy duty black window silicon in there for the time being to shut it up for a little bit but i need a more permanent fix. i figured i would just buy the whole rear energy suspension kit and put the ones i need in as they go out. labor for the one i need sucks balls and i dont have a press. anyone know how to get that metal sleeve out without a press? and can someone give me a walkthrough on how to take the old sleeve out(without a press) and put the new energy suspension 2-piece bushings in?

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Even with a press they suck . But if you get it all apart you should be able to get someone to press them out and install them for cheap. We do that kind of stuff here at work, bushing, u-joints and so on and charge about 10 bucks for bushings and 20 for doing both u-joints if they are REALLY stubborn. Go to any auto parts store with your control arm and ask if they have a press to get them out. Even a machine shop could do it. Shouldn't take more than 15 minutes. Of you really want to get them out yourself the only way is to use heat and get them hot and hammer them out. But it's just as easy to take them somewhere else.

 

[DkIcKmUrPhYs526]

Thanks man. i thought about doing that but then i realized i don't wanna take apart my whole rear suspension. so there has got to be a way i can leave it on and get it out. i've heard that using a hacksaw works? if so can someone explain that process to me?

 

[MackZ24]

Also remember that the Energy Suspension (or any polyurethane) bushings are not meant to be quiet. They are infact quite "squeeky" in their own right. So if you're upgrading to fix squeeking, this won't do it. But if you want better handling, it will definitely help.

 

[DkIcKmUrPhYs526]

i was told if you grease them up then they wont squeak. and if it still does squeak how loud?

 

[MackZ24]

I'm not sure how to gauge how loud it really is, nothing to compare it with. Use all of the supplied grease, and probably re-grease any time you're under there. Or just turn up the music and you'll be fine, maybe Bar Room Hero, Rocky Road to Dublin or my favourite, Boys on the Docks?

 

[wret]

Thanks man. i thought about doing that but then i realized i don't wanna take apart my whole rear suspension. so there has got to be a way i can leave it on and get it out. i've heard that using a hacksaw works? if so can someone explain that process to me?

Typically the original bushings are 3 pieces: a shell, the rubber part, and the inner metal bushing. If you heat the inner metal bushing with a torch, the rubber will relax it's grip on it and you'll be able to push it out. Torch it again and the whole rubber piece catches fire and burns until crispy. You can then scrape out the rubber and cut the shell with a hack saw or recip. saw. The shell will then come out fairly easily with a little prying.

The advantage to the burn and hack method is that you can do the front lower control arms with out messing with the ball joints. To press the bushings out you need to remove the arms and possible tear the ball joint boots. The disadvantage is that you won't be putting any of the old ones back when you find that a particular busing is not supplied in your kit.

 

[DkIcKmUrPhYs526]

hahaha i prefer barroom hero personally...but yeah i might give the burn and hack a shot. nothing else to lose. bad news though...i have a new sound on the other side and i checked the bushing and it's fine...its a kind of low pitched creak that can only be heard from the inside...any suggestions?

 

[Nanan]

My Energy bushings squeek like crazy when im going slow on rough surfaces. You will also feel just about every crack in the road when you are driving.