Revhift Rear Upper Control Bushing Install
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I started the install of all my bushings yesterday but ran into an issue with the Upper Control Arm Bushings, has anybody successfully installe these yet?
I dropped the cradle and pulled the control arms with no issue, also removed the OEM bushings with no trouble but now cannot get the revshift bushings pressed in for the life of me. I got one side in just fine buy when I try to push the other side on, the center hole is too small for the center metal sleeve to go on.
Tried big *** C clamp and dead blow hammer with zero success. I lubed it up really well but the hole is too small, you can see the metal rod digging into the sidewalks if the inside of the bushing. Just getting the two halves of the bushing apart was a major PITA to start!
Any tips? I think I'm going to stop by Harbor freight on my way home and pick up a 1ton press.
I have pics of everything I will throw up tonight.
I dropped the cradle and pulled the control arms with no issue, also removed the OEM bushings with no trouble but now cannot get the revshift bushings pressed in for the life of me. I got one side in just fine buy when I try to push the other side on, the center hole is too small for the center metal sleeve to go on.
Tried big *** C clamp and dead blow hammer with zero success. I lubed it up really well but the hole is too small, you can see the metal rod digging into the sidewalks if the inside of the bushing. Just getting the two halves of the bushing apart was a major PITA to start!
Any tips? I think I'm going to stop by Harbor freight on my way home and pick up a 1ton press.
I have pics of everything I will throw up tonight.
#2
TECH Addict
iTrader: (10)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I guess my first avenue would be call revshift! Then, if you can, remove the side you already installed (remove the bushing if possible) then measure and compare/contrast. Also check the arm hole, making sure there are no burrs/obstructions in your way. Then, I would double check if you're putting the wrong bushing in there. Not to insult, I'm just assuming you bought all of their bushings and might have the wrong one in your hand?
#3
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I guess my first avenue would be call revshift! Then, if you can, remove the side you already installed (remove the bushing if possible) then measure and compare/contrast. Also check the arm hole, making sure there are no burrs/obstructions in your way. Then, I would double check if you're putting the wrong bushing in there. Not to insult, I'm just assuming you bought all of their bushings and might have the wrong one in your hand?
I'm going to try heating the control arms up a bit to see if they will expand enough to get them together.
#4
TECH Addict
iTrader: (10)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I would stay away from heating it....
So...let me get this straight the bushing is in the control arm, just the metal sleeve is not? I also assume that the bushings came assembled with the sleeves in either of them as they def are a PITA to take apart. So that says the sleeve fits. If the bushings are in the arm and the sleeve is not going in have you tried installing it from both side? Also, did you use the hammer as a first attempt? Because if so, then it may have not gone straight and each hammer blow just put a gouge/groove in the bushing. In which case I then might heat it to get the sleeve installed.
So...let me get this straight the bushing is in the control arm, just the metal sleeve is not? I also assume that the bushings came assembled with the sleeves in either of them as they def are a PITA to take apart. So that says the sleeve fits. If the bushings are in the arm and the sleeve is not going in have you tried installing it from both side? Also, did you use the hammer as a first attempt? Because if so, then it may have not gone straight and each hammer blow just put a gouge/groove in the bushing. In which case I then might heat it to get the sleeve installed.
#7
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I started the install of all my bushings yesterday but ran into an issue with the Upper Control Arm Bushings, has anybody successfully installe these yet?
I dropped the cradle and pulled the control arms with no issue, also removed the OEM bushings with no trouble but now cannot get the revshift bushings pressed in for the life of me. I got one side in just fine buy when I try to push the other side on, the center hole is too small for the center metal sleeve to go on.
Tried big *** C clamp and dead blow hammer with zero success. I lubed it up really well but the hole is too small, you can see the metal rod digging into the sidewalks if the inside of the bushing. Just getting the two halves of the bushing apart was a major PITA to start!
Any tips? I think I'm going to stop by Harbor freight on my way home and pick up a 1ton press.
I have pics of everything I will throw up tonight.
I dropped the cradle and pulled the control arms with no issue, also removed the OEM bushings with no trouble but now cannot get the revshift bushings pressed in for the life of me. I got one side in just fine buy when I try to push the other side on, the center hole is too small for the center metal sleeve to go on.
Tried big *** C clamp and dead blow hammer with zero success. I lubed it up really well but the hole is too small, you can see the metal rod digging into the sidewalks if the inside of the bushing. Just getting the two halves of the bushing apart was a major PITA to start!
Any tips? I think I'm going to stop by Harbor freight on my way home and pick up a 1ton press.
I have pics of everything I will throw up tonight.
Trending Topics
#8
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Easy press the two bushings in first with out the inner metal sleeve. That part should be easy. Then push in the metal sleeve last. If you don't o it this way you are basically trapping air inside the bushing fitting location and it wont compress... obviously. I was then able to use a c-clamp to press them in fairly easily
#9
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I would stay away from heating it....
So...let me get this straight the bushing is in the control arm, just the metal sleeve is not? I also assume that the bushings came assembled with the sleeves in either of them as they def are a PITA to take apart. So that says the sleeve fits. If the bushings are in the arm and the sleeve is not going in have you tried installing it from both side? Also, did you use the hammer as a first attempt? Because if so, then it may have not gone straight and each hammer blow just put a gouge/groove in the bushing. In which case I then might heat it to get the sleeve installed.
So...let me get this straight the bushing is in the control arm, just the metal sleeve is not? I also assume that the bushings came assembled with the sleeves in either of them as they def are a PITA to take apart. So that says the sleeve fits. If the bushings are in the arm and the sleeve is not going in have you tried installing it from both side? Also, did you use the hammer as a first attempt? Because if so, then it may have not gone straight and each hammer blow just put a gouge/groove in the bushing. In which case I then might heat it to get the sleeve installed.
The sleeve does fit when the bushings are not in the control arm which is what is so confusing to me? I did use the C clamp before I tried the hammer, was worried I would mess something up! But after frustration comes hammer!!
![The Judge](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_judge.gif)
Like you said, I'm not too thrilled about busting out the torch installing brand new bushings...
I'll post some pics tonight, will make everything a lot easier to follow!
#11
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#12
#13
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Alright fellas I got one in! One Fast V's approach worked, that said it was still a real PITA with a C-Clamp and dead blow so I'm making a trip to harbor freight tomorrow for a press which should make quick work of them (also have to figure out how to get the one I started yesterday back apart!).
I used the dead blow to get the bushings in on each side (just some light taps) and the C-clamp to get the center metal sleeve pressed in which was the bear.
I think a small part of the issue is these red bushings are solid as a rock, but it is good to know these bushings aren't going anywhere once they are in!
Fuzzy I got the same od with my caliper so it's good to know we have the same size.
Here are some photos:
Cradle Dropped / Top of Control Arms
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0888_zpsc933686e.jpg)
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0896_zps0af087db.jpg)
Holes Drilled in Old Bushing
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0898_zps131cc128.jpg)
Old Bushing Sleeve Removed
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0901_zps01198bfb.jpg)
Old Bushing
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0909_zps44ec207c.jpg)
New Bushing Installed
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0911_zps5db70c5f.jpg)
I used the dead blow to get the bushings in on each side (just some light taps) and the C-clamp to get the center metal sleeve pressed in which was the bear.
I think a small part of the issue is these red bushings are solid as a rock, but it is good to know these bushings aren't going anywhere once they are in!
Fuzzy I got the same od with my caliper so it's good to know we have the same size.
Here are some photos:
Cradle Dropped / Top of Control Arms
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0888_zpsc933686e.jpg)
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0896_zps0af087db.jpg)
Holes Drilled in Old Bushing
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0898_zps131cc128.jpg)
Old Bushing Sleeve Removed
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0901_zps01198bfb.jpg)
Old Bushing
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0909_zps44ec207c.jpg)
New Bushing Installed
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0911_zps5db70c5f.jpg)
![](http://i949.photobucket.com/albums/ad335/ellioth3771/IMG_0912_zpsd3ee7d55.jpg)
#14
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
To get the one out to already installed use a deep or regular socket (depending on size of your c-clamp) that is roughly the same OD as the metal sleeve (i believe it was around the size of a 15mm socket) and then put a larger socket on the other side. This will allow you to use the c-clamp to press the sleeve out. be careful not to press the socket in to far and get it stuck!
I'm surprised you had that much trouble installing them once i put both bushings in first (which i could do by hand) I was able to start the metal sleeve by hand and then finish it with the c-clamp. NOTE: make sure you leave space for air to evacuate when using the C-clamp also otherwise you will have one hell of a time will both bushing holes covered...
I'm surprised you had that much trouble installing them once i put both bushings in first (which i could do by hand) I was able to start the metal sleeve by hand and then finish it with the c-clamp. NOTE: make sure you leave space for air to evacuate when using the C-clamp also otherwise you will have one hell of a time will both bushing holes covered...
#16
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
To get the one out to already installed use a deep or regular socket (depending on size of your c-clamp) that is roughly the same OD as the metal sleeve (i believe it was around the size of a 15mm socket) and then put a larger socket on the other side. This will allow you to use the c-clamp to press the sleeve out. be careful not to press the socket in to far and get it stuck!
I'm surprised you had that much trouble installing them once i put both bushings in first (which i could do by hand) I was able to start the metal sleeve by hand and then finish it with the c-clamp. NOTE: make sure you leave space for air to evacuate when using the C-clamp also otherwise you will have one hell of a time will both bushing holes covered...
I'm surprised you had that much trouble installing them once i put both bushings in first (which i could do by hand) I was able to start the metal sleeve by hand and then finish it with the c-clamp. NOTE: make sure you leave space for air to evacuate when using the C-clamp also otherwise you will have one hell of a time will both bushing holes covered...
It sounds like we've had quite contrasting experiences getting these installed! There is no way I could push these in by hand, I even had to file the edges a touch just so the bushing would stay put while I tapped it with the hammer. And the Metal Sleeve, forget about it, no way that thing would slide even 1/8 of a inch without some forced hammer/clamp love...
![The Judge](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_judge.gif)
#17
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#19
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New Haven, CT
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts