Elle

I came across this detailed description of pressing bushings
out of suspension control arms using sockets, high strength
bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:

http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html

Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process. I
ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might be,
and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
(assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a 2-ton
shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
enough.

Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control arm
bushings? Please report if you have.

I am particularly interested in the socket sizes used. If I
can get the right sizes the first time, that would be great.
Otherwise, it's not all that convenient to run (um, bicycle)
back and forth between the several stores I would use for
sockets while my car is out of commission.

I might also call around to some of the salvage yards and
see if they have a bent control arm I could buy very
cheaply. Then I could drive around town with this "spare"
control arm, get the dimensions of the "home-made press"
right, and practice.

My ball joint separator is now on order via Ebay: $35 total
for the two-stage version to which Ryan posted a link
earlier (JTC Auto tools, #1727). This one was available via
bidding as opposed to "buy it now," so it seems I saved a
few bucks.

I do think my new front springs have eliminated some mild
clunkiness (when going over bumps) I heard before.

TIA for helping with my project.

Eric

Elle wrote:
>
> I came across this detailed description of pressing bushings
> out of suspension control arms using sockets, high strength
> bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:
>
> http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html
>
> Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process. I
> ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might be,
> and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
> (assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
> roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a 2-ton
> shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
> I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
> enough.
>
> Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control arm
> bushings? Please report if you have.
>
> I am particularly interested in the socket sizes used. If I
> can get the right sizes the first time, that would be great.
> Otherwise, it's not all that convenient to run (um, bicycle)
> back and forth between the several stores I would use for
> sockets while my car is out of commission.

Once you get the new bushings in hand, it should be apparent the size of the
sockets you would need to use as press tools.

Eric

Eric

Elle wrote:
>
> I came across this detailed description of pressing bushings
> out of suspension control arms using sockets, high strength
> bolts and nuts, washers, and muscle:
>
> http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html
>
> Evidently, sometimes the bolt breaks during this process. I
> ran some numbers to get an idea of how likely this might be,
> and I'm seeing around a factor of safety of 1.5 to 2
> (assuming about four to six tons of force is placed on a
> roughly 3/8-inch diameter, grade 8 bolt). People say a 2-ton
> shop press isn't enough; a 12-ton should be plenty. Hence
> I'm guesstimating six tons of force on the bolt should be
> enough.
>
> Has anyone tried this method on his/her Honda's control arm
> bushings? Please report if you have.
>
> I am particularly interested in the socket sizes used. If I
> can get the right sizes the first time, that would be great.
> Otherwise, it's not all that convenient to run (um, bicycle)
> back and forth between the several stores I would use for
> sockets while my car is out of commission.

Once you get the new bushings in hand, it should be apparent the size of the
sockets you would need to use as press tools.

Eric