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| tjpreul | a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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I am hoping to get started on installing new bushings tomorrow. It is a '92 with 140k, the stock bushings are torn and rotted. I have poly to replace them, and no I am not worried about the noise. I will post pictures.
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Posted on: 2010/1/16 23:51
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| CentralCoaster | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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Do you have a press? It would be tricky to do without one.
http://webpages.charter.net/khasting/techinfo/bushings.html |
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Posted on: 2010/1/17 0:36
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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No, I don't have a press. I have a friend at a local shop that can press them out.
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Posted on: 2010/1/17 14:39
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Vegas wasn't built on winners. '92 auto, MSD, Banski, Taylor wires, SS lines, C5 rims, 3.07 gears, white gauges, seats from a '96. Motor: Forged rotating assy, Probe pistons, CC valvetrain, AFR heads, Procharger P1SC |
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| bogus | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
 
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Then you are ok. I can't see how you would do it without, either.
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Posted on: 2010/1/17 18:48
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The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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| CentralCoaster | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Senior Guru
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Just be careful when using the press to not load the A-arm in bending. If you look at the photos I posted, I'm not putting any force on the thin parts of the aluminum.
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Posted on: 2010/1/17 21:50
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| bogus | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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you may want to heat the rubber first... soften them up a bit.
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Posted on: 2010/1/17 21:59
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The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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Transfer
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| Matatk | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Webmaster
 
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I recall seeing another guy who built a brace to put inside the a-arm while pressing the bushings out. I don't recall the specifics, but I think it involved taking a pipe and cutting out a slot in the side to place over the internal piece. Prevented the a-arm from bending out of shape. Just a thought.
Matthew |
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Posted on: 2010/1/18 2:59
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2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP |
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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I am currently removing the a-arms and on the rear lower the bolt is hitting the frame, so I cannot remove it. Are there any tricks to get the bolt out. It is free, and the front one is out.
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Posted on: 2010/1/21 1:36
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Vegas wasn't built on winners. '92 auto, MSD, Banski, Taylor wires, SS lines, C5 rims, 3.07 gears, white gauges, seats from a '96. Motor: Forged rotating assy, Probe pistons, CC valvetrain, AFR heads, Procharger P1SC |
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Transfer
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| 1Fast04Vert | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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Quote:
The brace it is hitting needs to be removed, or cut the bolt. I am told that the brace is structural re-enforcement and that even though it appears to be an engine mount it is not an engine support. I had a cut off tool handy so I cut the bolt off mine when I needed to. Just be very careful of the brake lines. Go back with a new bolt and insert the bolt from the front. New bolt and nut from GM are about $5.00. |
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Posted on: 2010/1/21 2:44
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2004 Vert. 475hp. Built by Vengeance Racing |
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Transfer
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| CentralCoaster | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Senior Guru
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Completely unnecessary. If you look at my photos, the control arm is never put in bending. |
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Posted on: 2010/1/21 17:53
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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I am taking them to the local dealership. That is where my friend works as a mechanic, and he is going to press them out. I did order the two bolts, so I don't have to cut or drill into the support.
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Posted on: 2010/1/21 18:01
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Vegas wasn't built on winners. '92 auto, MSD, Banski, Taylor wires, SS lines, C5 rims, 3.07 gears, white gauges, seats from a '96. Motor: Forged rotating assy, Probe pistons, CC valvetrain, AFR heads, Procharger P1SC |
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Transfer
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| CentralCoaster | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Senior Guru
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I don't remember having any issues with the lower bolts. I guess something must have changed in 88.
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Posted on: 2010/1/21 18:37
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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I have it all removed, and two new bolts ordered. On the drivers side there was still an inch, that was in the arm when the bolt hit. There was more than that on the passenger side. Since I don't have a cutoff wheel, I drilled a pilot then used a bit the same size as the bolt. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be.
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Posted on: 2010/1/22 1:04
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Vegas wasn't built on winners. '92 auto, MSD, Banski, Taylor wires, SS lines, C5 rims, 3.07 gears, white gauges, seats from a '96. Motor: Forged rotating assy, Probe pistons, CC valvetrain, AFR heads, Procharger P1SC |
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Transfer
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| CentralCoaster | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Senior Guru
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Can the new bolts be put in from the other direction?
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Posted on: 2010/1/22 3:13
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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Transfer
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
Yes, there is plenty of room the other way. It is only on the lower rear two that I had issues with. |
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Posted on: 2010/1/22 3:45
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| 1Fast04Vert | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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Yes, that way you never have to deal with it again. They were put in like that at the factory before everything was assembled and I guess they never thought, or cared, about the effect later. You drilled thru the hardened bolts from the side? Tricky. |
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Posted on: 2010/1/22 3:49
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2004 Vert. 475hp. Built by Vengeance Racing |
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Transfer
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
They were actually pretty soft. I didn't need a center punch to start them. I was worried that they were going to be difficult. The new bolts from GM were $6.25. |
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Posted on: 2010/1/22 4:00
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| VtVette | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Guru
 
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I replaced all the bushings in my '93 last summer and had no issues with having to drill or cut any bolts either. One issue I found with my poly bushes was after a thousand miles or so I re checked the torque on all the nuts/bolts and the large nuts on the upper A arm were loose. I wonder if the bushed are just a hair too wide when installed for the sleeve which goes through the middle of the bushes? This is on my list of things to check when I get the car out of storage this spring. |
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Posted on: 2010/1/22 15:38
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Brian VTvette 1993 triple black roadster 6 speed |
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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VT, were your bolts put in from the front or rear. Maybe GM had changed the assembly.
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Posted on: 2010/1/22 16:20
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_________________
Vegas wasn't built on winners. '92 auto, MSD, Banski, Taylor wires, SS lines, C5 rims, 3.07 gears, white gauges, seats from a '96. Motor: Forged rotating assy, Probe pistons, CC valvetrain, AFR heads, Procharger P1SC |
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Transfer
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| RestoMod57 | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Guru
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I have a '96 front end on my restomod project. The bolts were inserted in the lower arms from inside-out (nuts on outside). The FSM for that year shows nuts on the inside.
I created a jig on my portable bench that held the upper arms stable while pressing out the bushings with a ball joint puller (see photo). This was before I bought a small 12T press for my project. This worked really well, and the upper arms were very stable - no bending. To press in the new poly bushings, I used my new press. Just as another guru stated, use a bar or piece of pipe to prevent the upper arms from flexing too much under load. And yes, I also believe the poly bushings are larger than OE because I had to slightly bevel the leading edge to get it started in the eyelet. The lower bushings are easy to press out and in, with a shop press. I'm writing a book on how to restore the late C4 chassis, it should be available by this summer. Attach file:  Assembly Prep_Control Arm_Upper_On jig_socket and ratchet attached.jpg (285.47 KB) |
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Posted on: 2010/1/22 22:12
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Transfer
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| CentralCoaster | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Senior Guru
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Quote:
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Posted on: 2010/1/22 23:06
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_________________
1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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Transfer
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| RestoMod57 | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Guru
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Hey CC:
All I can tell you is the pivot bar did not slide out of the eyelet with the two large washers like yours did. The thin arms of the piece were bending way too much when pushing. My 96 Grand Sport front end was from a salvage yard with a fair amount of corrosion. So cut me some slack... |
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Posted on: 2010/1/23 18:59
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Transfer
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| Matatk | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Webmaster
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Resto - I like the little jig you set up there. Seems to hold it in place well. Thanks for the tip.
Matthew |
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Posted on: 2010/1/23 22:49
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2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP |
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Transfer
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| CentralCoaster | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Senior Guru
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Quote:
Unless the inner bushing sleeve was somehow rusted to the aluminum, then nothing will hang up. The washers don't play into it. |
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Posted on: 2010/1/24 9:39
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_________________
1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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Transfer
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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Well the bushings are out. I was told they were a PIA. I am going to put it back together this weekend.
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Posted on: 2010/1/28 23:40
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_________________
Vegas wasn't built on winners. '92 auto, MSD, Banski, Taylor wires, SS lines, C5 rims, 3.07 gears, white gauges, seats from a '96. Motor: Forged rotating assy, Probe pistons, CC valvetrain, AFR heads, Procharger P1SC |
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Transfer
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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Here are a few pictures. I am going to have them back on the car this weekend.
Attach file: lower.jpg (115.82 KB) upper side by side.jpg (124.01 KB) upper before.jpg (110.87 KB) upper after.jpg (103.03 KB) lower arm.jpg (113.29 KB) |
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Posted on: 2010/2/3 16:10
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Transfer
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| CentralCoaster | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Senior Guru
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Ooh shiny!
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Posted on: 2010/2/3 17:46
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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Transfer
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| RestoMod57 | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Guru
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Those look great. Did you just clean 'em up, or do any sanding?
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Posted on: 2010/2/4 22:32
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Transfer
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| tjpreul | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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I used steel wool, and elbow grease. |
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Posted on: 2010/2/5 0:53
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Transfer
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| 1Fast04Vert | Re: a-arm bushing replacement | ||
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Elite Guru
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Have you thought about clear coating them before you put them back together? They are just too pretty to not keep them that way. |
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Posted on: 2010/2/5 3:08
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_________________
2004 Vert. 475hp. Built by Vengeance Racing |
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Transfer
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