Gopherfan2011's Prothane bushing replacement!

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gopherfan2011
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Gopherfan2011's Prothane bushing replacement!

Post by gopherfan2011 » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:43 am

Hey guys, just started to replace the bushings (there is hardly anything left of the originals anyway) in the rear with the Prothane kit from Modern Perf.

So far, we've disassembled the sway bar, control arm, etc, with only breaking 3 bolts! I'm running into some problems, however. I can't seem to get the bolt that holds the control arms to the brake rotors out, with penetrator, heat, etc. Anybody have any other ideas on how to get that out? Also having a bit of trouble getting the original bushings out of the control arms, so if anyone has any tips for that I'd be forever grateful!

I'll be back to the grind tomorrow, hopefully finishing it up! Enjoy the pics!

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that's the bolt we're having issues with
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Image The SRT that never sees the street
Image Part of the kit and the tools
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MyNeonSaysHi
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Post by MyNeonSaysHi » Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:37 pm

Swapping bushings = PITA. Good luck man you sure will need it.

08 Acura TL-S
05 Neon SRT-4
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sidepipe87
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Post by sidepipe87 » Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:19 pm

Why is that SRT-4 just sitting on a lift! :shock: drive it! More pics of The Charger, and '76 Dodge truck please? :smile:

good luck with that install! My master kit is still sitting in my room because I don't wanna deal with that headache
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Danteneon
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Post by Danteneon » Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:27 pm

That bolt can be a major pain in the ass! It has probably fused itself to the knuckle.

What kind of penetrate are you using? If you say anything other than PB Blaster, stop and get some. Soak the bolt and let it creep into the knuckle. Place a nut (or two) on the end of the bolt to protect the threads and try to hammer it out.
If I could just figure out how to meld the Outback and the Neon into one car...

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marakka
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Post by marakka » Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:10 pm

There is definitely some cool shit in that garage.

I'm assuming there's a press that you are using? If so why not take the hub off with the control arm on it still and press the bolt out on the press? A bit more work and you'll have to bleed the brakes afterward, but might be the easiest way.

Or try what Dante suggested. Put a nut on the head of the bolt to protect the threads and go to town.
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LilSparkPlug wrote:Rofflies! :) I <3 you Marraka.
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newlitemotorist
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Post by newlitemotorist » Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:09 pm

Danteneon wrote:Place a nut (or two) on the end of the bolt to protect the threads and try to hammer it out.
Be carefull when doing this! you will run the risk of distorting the nut to where it wont keep the threads safe...actually mushrooming the end of the bolt with the nut on there and/or bending the bolt shaft.

I would try this though, but dont be superman cus youll mess things up. Atleast at this point you can put it back together. If a hammer doesnt work, try an air hammer with a blunt insert. place something between the nut/bolt and the hammer such as a peice of soft metal or a shop towel but this takes some care as well.

i have heard that an air hammer will do the job where everything else failed but i have also heard of the entire nuckle needing replaced do to the bolt being siezed too badly.

Good luck.
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chosenone2386
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Post by chosenone2386 » Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:06 am

This happened to me on my 1st gen. After the old heat and beat I still couldnt get them out. I ended up taking them to a shop would had to heat and press them out. I messed up the bolts so bad I had to buy all new ones. Good luck.
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LilSparkPlug
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Post by LilSparkPlug » Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:28 am

I hated doing my bushings, but yes it's common for that bolt to seize on these cars. Why does the SRT never see the street?
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gopherfan2011
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Post by gopherfan2011 » Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:55 pm

We gave up on most of it, we don't have a press to get the old bushings out so we're taking it to a shop to get it done. Unfortunately its just beyond our capabilities at our shop.

The SRT never sees the street because it has less than 900 miles on it. Imagine if you could go back in time and buy a hemicuda brand new, never drive it, and sell it now, a brand new car from the 60's. That's my dad's plan anyways, unless i buy it from him first!
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chosenone2386
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Post by chosenone2386 » Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:48 am

Thats a great idea IMO. I want to find a low mileage 05 ACR Commemorative edition and tuck it away.
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