The traction arm aka radius rod aka torque arm aka whatever else…
Pressure wouldn’t budge these bushings so the alternative was this. The traction arm front bushing being burned out with a weed burning torch.
I burned the rear one out as I wasn’t sure how the new ‘Ultimate Performance High Technology Polygraphite’ (overkill compared to all my other rubbers, but it’s all I could find) bushings would fit.
These are the new (totally over-specced for my application) bushings to be installed once the arm is painted.
The larger rear bushing would in no way fit with the metal shell still in place, so this had to be replaced. I tried using a chisel to break the shell away from the arm and pull it out… this didn’t work so using the chisel I had to fold the outer flange inwards…
… this created a kind of seat for an appropriately sized socket to sit on and push (whack) the bushing out – had to make sure that no sharp bits would scratch against the arms bushing surface, but the folding in of the shell flange meant the edges that would press against the wall are rounded inwards, so no problem there.
The bushing is out.
Ready for prep then paint then new bushings to be installed:
I had to do something similiar….I also used a sawzall to cut like a pie, but ended up torching it as well.
Can you tell me where you found replacement bushings?
I would be most grateful.
Dean
Yeah they’re hard to find. I looked everywhere, and couldn’t find stock rubber ones, so ended up paying far too much for these:
http://www.p-s-t.com/pc-771-38-pontiac-polygraphite-rear-trailing-arm-bushing-sets.aspx