Guest r_wright Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 I'm in the process of rebuilding the front suspension on my 91. Everything was going good until I reached the point of possibly replacing the control arm bushings. I ordered replacement bushings but these look different than what's on the control arm, they have rounded ends where the ones installed are flat. I've done a search regarding this and have found little info. It's not critical to me to replace them, I just figured in doing everything else (struts, sway bar links, ball joints, tie rods and strut bar bushings) these should be done as well. Has anyone had any experience in replacing these bushings and is it worth the trouble? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 The control arm bushing in your photo on the left appears to be the correct bushing for the front lower control arms according to everything that I can find out about them. You have the same busing that the Reatta Store, RockAuto, Advance and other parts stores sell for the front control arms I can't explain the flat looking bushings you have in your control arms unless they get compressed when they are installed for a few years. It takes special tools to press the bushing into the control arm according to the service manual. If your bushings are tight, and the rubber is in good condition, this might be a job that should be saved until they are worn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest r_wright Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Yes, I think I'll going to leave the original bushings in as they are tight and seem fine. I believe these new bushings must flatten when installed because if you look at the photo the metal sleeve extends beyond the end of the rubber. If you hold the new bushing next to the control arm, the rubber does not extend beyond the control are sleeve. I don't want to remove the old ones and then have difficulty finding someone who has the proper tools to install the new ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 (edited) Even though you may not need them now, it is wise to have the bushings on hand in case you need them in the future. They could be discontinued at any time without notice. If you plan on keeping the car the bushings are a good investment. Edited July 29, 2015 by Ronnie (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rp1967 Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Special tool = large Wilton vise and a large socket as a receptical" so the end has a place to go as it comes through"Use silicone grease on the rubber and clean the inside of the control arm till it shines.Put in hundreds " not an exaggeration " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest r_wright Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 I've used the vise/socket method before myself. My concern is if you look at the above picture with the bushing next to the control arm, the rubber does not extend beyond the sleeve of the control arm. The original bushing covers the external portion of the control arm sleeve. I don't want to remove the old and not be able to properly install the new. Have you've done this exact bushing for this or other cars using the same control arm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rp1967 Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Have installed that exact bushing on many GM control arms.Have I installed it on a reatta control arm? Maybe but the last Reatta we saw at the dealership was 10 + years ago.My experience with that bushing is it stretches and the OD gets thinner and the two rubber rings are outside of the control arm when properly installed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted July 29, 2015 Share Posted July 29, 2015 (edited) A big vice might just push that bushing right in there without a problem at all. I can't confirm or deny because I've never installed the one piece bushings that the Reatta uses that way. The special tool (#2) in the photo below seems to be squeezing the outside diameter (rubber flange) of the bushing before it starts into the control arm. I'm just guessing but logic tells me that tool #2 has a taper in the hole going through it that reduces the diameter of the bushing as it is pushed through. Without squeezing the rubber flange down to the diameter of the hole in the control arm first, I think there is a pretty good chance that the rubber flange on the bushing will be sheared off instead of slipping into the bore of the control arm. I admit all of this is speculation on my part since I've never changed the lower control arm bushing on a Reatta. However, I would be reluctant to press out a good bushing without knowing for sure if you will need the special tools to install a new bushing. Read this before you decide to try to replace the bushings with a vice: 1988 Reatta Lower control arm bushings Edited July 29, 2015 by Ronnie (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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