56 lower control arm bushing.

[Wooly15]

To replace the lower bushing, the manual states to use a 2x4 to pry the arms apart to get the bushings in and out. I'm afraid I'm going to bend the arm if I pry any harder. I trust the manual, but has anyone else ever done this (without damage)?

[old-tank]

1 hour ago, Wooly15 said:

but has anyone else ever done this (without damage)?

yes...give it the gorilla treatment.

[Beemon]

Those control arms will break before they deform. Cast iron is high strength, low ductility. It can also withstand high compression, but little tension. You would need to put it in a professional stretcher at 29000 psi to get it to deform. Don't sweat it!

[Wooly15]

Thanks guys! Just needed a little pep talk before I showed this thing who's boss!  now to make sure I eat my Wheaties in the morning. 

[Bhigdog]

22 hours ago, Beemon said:

. Cast iron is high strength, low ductility. It can also withstand high compression, but little tension.

 

All very true but the control arms are made of forged alloy steel not cast iron. Just do like de book says and show em who's the boss.............Dammit...............Bob

[Beemon]

33 minutes ago, Bhigdog said:

 

All very true but the control arms are made of forged alloy steel not cast iron. Just do like de book says and show em who's the boss.............Dammit...............Bob

Oh, oops. Either way, anything in the range of a 100 or so MPa will still be required to deform any hardened steel, at least.

[Wooly15]

My buddy had a rear end spreader for an old dodge that worked like a charm. Didn't need to use the ole' tuba-fore method.