Rebuilding Volare Upper Control Arms... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dan87GT · 09-19-2015, 09:13 AM

Hello....I have a Volare/Aspen front end on my '57 3100 and I am rebuilding the front suspension.......I have the upper control arms off....but wanted to ask the best way to remove the old control arm bushings...I am replacing with poly bushings so I need to keep the metal sleeve installed.....is it best just to burn the old ones out?...I am not sure how else to remove them....thanks!...Dan

47 Fasttoys · 09-19-2015, 10:26 AM

It's been a long time since I've done these but I think I remember using a brill if I needed to save the outer sleeve. It takes a while but burning them out is a real mess.
Rob

mr48chev · 09-19-2015, 10:55 AM

No real easy way to do it.

The big problem is that you have to get one of the bushings out without damaging the outer metal sleeve. The other one can stay in.

What I would do there is figure out what I could use as a collar that fit around the shaft and butted up against the bushing Maybe a piece of pipe a couple of inches long with a notch cut out of it or something on that line.

you want that collar to sit on the jaws of the vise with the shaft down though the jaws and the bushing setting on the collar. Then use a length of pipe just big enough to go around the bushing and set against the A frame and use that that to drive the A frame down off the bushing. Thinking about it you may be able to set the bushing on the jaws of the vise and just use the length of pipe and a BFH to knock the bushing out.

Once the bushing is out take the shaft out but do something so you remember how it goes back in. A dab of paint or mark or noting that one end is different. Leave the other bushing in place and remove the rubber.

As far as gettng the rubber out I'd take a hacksaw or sawzall and cut through the inner bushing and rubber in a couple (maybe several) of places and then you should be able to take a narrow chisel and cut the rubber out a piece at a time.

Remember don't put the collar you removed from the A frame back in until you put the shaft back in, that is a pain and gives your buds cause for roll on the floor laughter.

dwcsr · 09-19-2015, 11:54 AM

drill out the rubber with the largest drill that will not hit either side, drill about 8 holes and they should all but fall out.

09-19-2015, 09:13 AM	#1
Dan87GT Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 22	Rebuilding Volare Upper Control Arms... Hello....I have a Volare/Aspen front end on my '57 3100 and I am rebuilding the front suspension.......I have the upper control arms off....but wanted to ask the best way to remove the old control arm bushings...I am replacing with poly bushings so I need to keep the metal sleeve installed.....is it best just to burn the old ones out?...I am not sure how else to remove them....thanks!...Dan

09-19-2015, 10:26 AM	#2
47 Fasttoys Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Westminster, SC Posts: 933	Re: Rebuilding Volare Upper Control Arms... It's been a long time since I've done these but I think I remember using a brill if I needed to save the outer sleeve. It takes a while but burning them out is a real mess. Rob __________________ My '47 C.O.E build

09-19-2015, 10:55 AM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,304	Re: Rebuilding Volare Upper Control Arms... No real easy way to do it. The big problem is that you have to get one of the bushings out without damaging the outer metal sleeve. The other one can stay in. What I would do there is figure out what I could use as a collar that fit around the shaft and butted up against the bushing Maybe a piece of pipe a couple of inches long with a notch cut out of it or something on that line. you want that collar to sit on the jaws of the vise with the shaft down though the jaws and the bushing setting on the collar. Then use a length of pipe just big enough to go around the bushing and set against the A frame and use that that to drive the A frame down off the bushing. Thinking about it you may be able to set the bushing on the jaws of the vise and just use the length of pipe and a BFH to knock the bushing out. Once the bushing is out take the shaft out but do something so you remember how it goes back in. A dab of paint or mark or noting that one end is different. Leave the other bushing in place and remove the rubber. As far as gettng the rubber out I'd take a hacksaw or sawzall and cut through the inner bushing and rubber in a couple (maybe several) of places and then you should be able to take a narrow chisel and cut the rubber out a piece at a time. Remember don't put the collar you removed from the A frame back in until you put the shaft back in, that is a pain and gives your buds cause for roll on the floor laughter. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

09-19-2015, 11:54 AM	#4
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,134	Re: Rebuilding Volare Upper Control Arms... drill out the rubber with the largest drill that will not hit either side, drill about 8 holes and they should all but fall out.



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