Tech tip regarding rear end control arm bushings

[VintageMusclecar]

This should come in handy for the GM A and B body crowd...

Found an easy way to remove those stubborn old worn-out upper control arm bushings from the cast "ears" on the top of a GM 10 or 12 bolt rear end.

Using "Percy" (my trusty 5-lb sledge...think about it ), I knocked the bushings back until they were flush with the front of the "ears" on the rear end housing.

As I was about to put the big red wrench to the remnants of the rubber so I could use a hacksaw blade to cut through the outer shells like I've done countless times before, an idea struck me;

Using Percy, I "tapped" around the perimeter of the bushing until the outer shell began to collapse in on itself. Soon I could see the old bushing starting to cock sideways in the ear; with a few light taps with a drift on the front of the bushing, they literally fell right out.

Why didn't I think of this 20 years ago???

Hope this comes in handy for someone else.

Eric

[MosportGreen66]

I have watched my mechanic use a torch for the overly stubborn bushings, otherwise a pointed chizzle and a sledge hammer were used.

You're right on the money Eric!