This post is for anyone who has not yet set out to replace/remove, etc. the front suspension components. I'm in the middle of such a procedure, and wanted to share my 'new knowledge' regarding the bushings on these suspension pieces. There are 3 bushings per side in the lower suspension components.
Two of these bushings can be replaced using traditional extraction/insertion techniques. The third one - located on the inboard part of the control arm is essentially impossible (removal is difficult and replacement is impossible). The control arm is attached to the front sub-frame by a 16 mm bolt through this bushing. The other two bushings (each end of the tension rod) on my car were in quite good condition, but I decided to replace all 3 on each side. To make a pretty long story short, I could not get the new inboard bushing, (directly from the dealer) installed in the control arm. The hole in the control arm is about 27 mm in diameter, while the bushing OD is over 33 mm in diameter. Suspension bushing rubber can not be compressed enough for the insertion (ruined 2 bushings in the attempts).
sfdon to the rescue. I sent him a request for any procedure he'd found successful. Don responded with (paraphrased): "That bushing will not fit. Nobody uses them. Buy new OCAP control arms, they come with 2 new bushings and ball joint." I followed his recommendation, and that portion of the suspension is now re-assembled with 2 new control arms.
My inboard control arm bushing was cracked and old/hard (the other two were obviously newer - probably installed in late '80's restoration) while that inner one was probably original - 44.5 years old). So - if you want to refurbish that bushing, then immediately order the OCAP (made in Italy) control arms. I also discovered the right OCAP control arm is NLA at a lot of suppliers. The only place I've recently found where you can get both is this link on eBay, where they indicate there are 8 sets still available. https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-For-BM...ft-Right-Lower-Control-Arms-OCAP/152501514938 The price at $135 for the pair is pretty attractive as well. Ireland Engineering may also have both, but I could not get a confirmation on their web site.
Hope this will help someone else's project avoid 'bushing insertion frustration', and unexpected delays.
Gary--
PS: 1/29/19 . It is interesting that 5 sets of these arms have been purchased in the past 4 days!!! Wonder if all them were sold to e9 Forum members. Maybe I should request a sales commission - ha.
1/31/19. All 8 sets have been sold.
Two of these bushings can be replaced using traditional extraction/insertion techniques. The third one - located on the inboard part of the control arm is essentially impossible (removal is difficult and replacement is impossible). The control arm is attached to the front sub-frame by a 16 mm bolt through this bushing. The other two bushings (each end of the tension rod) on my car were in quite good condition, but I decided to replace all 3 on each side. To make a pretty long story short, I could not get the new inboard bushing, (directly from the dealer) installed in the control arm. The hole in the control arm is about 27 mm in diameter, while the bushing OD is over 33 mm in diameter. Suspension bushing rubber can not be compressed enough for the insertion (ruined 2 bushings in the attempts).
sfdon to the rescue. I sent him a request for any procedure he'd found successful. Don responded with (paraphrased): "That bushing will not fit. Nobody uses them. Buy new OCAP control arms, they come with 2 new bushings and ball joint." I followed his recommendation, and that portion of the suspension is now re-assembled with 2 new control arms.
My inboard control arm bushing was cracked and old/hard (the other two were obviously newer - probably installed in late '80's restoration) while that inner one was probably original - 44.5 years old). So - if you want to refurbish that bushing, then immediately order the OCAP (made in Italy) control arms. I also discovered the right OCAP control arm is NLA at a lot of suppliers. The only place I've recently found where you can get both is this link on eBay, where they indicate there are 8 sets still available. https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-For-BM...ft-Right-Lower-Control-Arms-OCAP/152501514938 The price at $135 for the pair is pretty attractive as well. Ireland Engineering may also have both, but I could not get a confirmation on their web site.
Hope this will help someone else's project avoid 'bushing insertion frustration', and unexpected delays.
Gary--
PS: 1/29/19 . It is interesting that 5 sets of these arms have been purchased in the past 4 days!!! Wonder if all them were sold to e9 Forum members. Maybe I should request a sales commission - ha.
1/31/19. All 8 sets have been sold.
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