On the B body, I've collected a bunch of old shells and stuff. So I've always just used those along with an assorted bunch of pipe pieces, bearing races, spacers, heavy plates, washers etc. along with a threaded rod to push the shells out.
I'd pull out the inner metal bushing tube. Then using a heavy threaded through rod, nuts, washers along with the appropriate spacers, and a spacer for inside the arm, I'd run the shells out by tightening the nuts in sequence while adjusting the spacers.
I loved this stuff, always a workout, but nothing was ever too tuff to defeat me. The same process can be used to drive the new bushing back in. Admittedly, I've since bought a geezer press to make it fun.
I like the look of this Amazon Chinesium kit. Looks to have much of what you might need size wise to run the shells out of the arms. You'll still need to make spacer for inside the arm to prevent it from collapsing. Even a piece of oak will work.
I paid to have all the bushings pressed out on my 70 Parisienne when I redid the chassis. Blasted and painted all the control arms, then paid again to have new bushings pressed in. That cost me better than $500.
So I bought a press from Princes Auto, had a bunch of pieces of pipe made up to act as spacers, etc (in grey primer). Now I do my own.
Here's front upper control arms getting new bushings pressed in:
That red kit was similar to the one I was looking at on Amazon and am leaning towards that.
That press looks awesome! But Im right on space right now. However, Im thinking I can just put that in the basement for now. Do the presses at princess auto ever go on sale?
Edit: damn. I missed out on it. I think thats the press that is on clearance for 130 right now?? But it says its sold out.
That red kit was similar to the one I was looking at on Amazon and am leaning towards that.
That press looks awesome! But Im right on space right now. However, Im thinking I can just put that in the basement for now. Do the presses at princess auto ever go on sale? Edit: damn. I missed out on it. I think thats the press that is on clearance for 130 right now?? But it says its sold out.
I bought the floor model press at a discount. It was lightly used (likely a return) and serves it's purpose well for me.
I bought one of the Princess 12 ton presses a few years ago and love it for a multitude of reasons, control arm bushings being one of them. It works great. I think the sale price was either $130 or $140 at that time.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Ya, I think that might be the way to go. Ill wait until the press goes on sale again since the other one is out of stock, and then pick up some of those cups/spacers! Thanks guys!
