Need to remove inner control arm bushings

Aug 19, 2004 6 Replies
R

On a 66 beetle the lower left front needle bearing in the front beam disintigrated. I got that out and ordered some BugPack (I think) red hard plastic bushings in a replacement kit. I need to insert these into the tubes, but there seems to be an inner steel bushing at the location that the inner plastic ones need to go. So, the question is: how do you get these things out? Do you need to have a special puller for this? Do they come out or are they weled in? If a puller will pull them out, it needs to reach 12" inside about a 2" tube.



thanks Roger



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G

Roger,

If you can not get a puller to retrieve the bush, then simply push it further into the tube. Check here

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R

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The picture shows a plastic bushing in there. I think that mine is metal (ball joint model). I did try driving it further in with a 3/4" drive socket on a 12" extension, but it didn't seem to want to move. I could have hit it harder, but was afraid of messing it up. So, if it is movable, I'll try to find a socket with a better fit and get a bigger hammer, or find a puller. I think that I only need to move it in about an inch to make room for the new plastic bushing.

Roger

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S

Yes, you can drive it in. I machined a fairly precise tool out of tubing (pipe) to do it. The OD of the thing has to be accurate since, as you know, there's not much meat to push on.

Speedy Jim

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S

It's been a long while since I've done this but I do recall that the tool I made was from solid round stock and the diams cut on a lathe, although that may be overkill.

That also made me recall that the "insertion depth" is critical. There basically aren't any stops inside (which is why you can push the old bushing in) so you have to drive the new one in precisely. IIRC the dimensions are shown in your Bentley Manual.

Speedy Jim

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R

Thanks everyone,

I'll drive the thing in as soon as I find or make something that is the correct diameter.

Roger

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K

I use a craftsman socket not sure what size it one of the standard size. that and a 6 ton press.

Mario

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