Pressing out new bushing on new control arms

Discussion in 'Mazdaspeed 3 Suspension & Brakes' started by MindTheG4p, Sep 7, 2023.

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  1. MindTheG4p

    MindTheG4p Greenie Member

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    Hi all. This might be a case of 'sucks to suck bro' but here goes.

    Front right control arm went bad, (ball joint failed, bushings shot) and I'm at 130k so I figure hey, let's just replace both sides.

    Then I figure, hey, why not install some anti-lift bushings from Powerflex and camber adjustable bushings on the control arms?

    Dilemma: Will I be able to (with a press kit) press out the brand-new bushings on the brand-new control arm without damaging anything? My current plan of action (for the rear at least) was to use the normal 3 claw style gear puller. Drill a hole to drain the oil from the bushing, cut as much as I can to ease it, then crank the outside off. Rinse / repeat w/ the metal collar on the actual control arm, then swap in the Powerflex.

    I was originally asking a local shop to press out / in the bushings for me to save me some time, but literally 3 different shops said 'no, we'll likely damage these because they're stamped steel / we'll bend it because these are new bushings / just install the stock control arms, there's a reason no one presses bushings anymore because the entire part is too cheap.'

    Am I insane for thinking I can press out brand-spankin-new bushings with hand tools (I don't have a HF press)?
     
  2. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    You will need a 10 ton hydraulic press. I did the exact same thing last winter and it was a bitch

    I had to put the new bushings in the toaster oven to get them soft enough to go in

    Where are you in Maryland? I'm in Ellicott city and have a press
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, Sep 7, 2023
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  3. MindTheG4p

    MindTheG4p Greenie Member

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    I'm in Pasadena, not far from Ellicott city at all. To be clear, I'm not remotely concerned about putting in / on the new ones; the ones I have are two part for the front portion of the control arm (which several videos have confirmed are pretty straight-forward to install with a bench vise) and the rear is the entire bracket which already has the bushing pressed in, for which the barrel taps on with a light mallet onto the control arm. My entire concern is removing the brand-new stock bushings from the stock / also-new control arm because from what I've seen, even worn bushings look like a right bitch to get out with hand tools (example: ). Here's what I have:

    https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/p...table-bushings-14-mm-1371?category=2058#attr=
    https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/p...et-rear-bushings-2403?category=2058#attr=1497
     
  4. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    You need a press to get the stock bushings out. I tried to get them out with a big ball joint clamp and couldn't make it move at all
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, Sep 7, 2023
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  5. L337TurboZ

    L337TurboZ World Class Truck Squatter Silver Member

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    Would torching the stock rubber bushing work to soften the rubber and make it easier to remove?
     
    L337TurboZ, via a mobile device, Sep 8, 2023
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  6. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    I think you would have to actually burn it out
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, Sep 8, 2023
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  7. btstarcher

    btstarcher Gold Member

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    Just ordered new LCA's. I will attempt to burn them out with my laser.
     
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  8. Easter Bunny

    Easter Bunny Professional Engineer Motorhead Platinum Member

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    If you want to ship everything to me and pay for shipping back to you I'll do it for you on my press.

    If you are buying the bushings from damond they offer his too
     
    Easter Bunny, via a mobile device, Dec 13, 2024
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  9. Enki

    Enki Moderator Motorhead Platinum Member

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    :enki:
     
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  10. btstarcher

    btstarcher Gold Member

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    Of course I'm buying from Damond. We have a press here in Arkansas, somewhere. But I'm looking forward to burning these bastards off.
     
  11. ToyCop

    ToyCop Greenie Member

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    I burned them out when I installed the bushings from Damond.
     
    ToyCop, via an iPhone, Dec 20, 2024
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