Hi,

Some of you might remember that I'm about to get all the suspension bushes, front and rear, replaced. I've got all the parts, and am going on holiday this week. Wanted to entrust the car with the only decent ex-Volvo garage in the country (New Zealand), but the guy with all the knowledge left the company. So I'm quickly searching for another garage. I trust the guy across the street, but he does not have a press. He does mufflers, shock absorbers, and the like, but no press. So my question is, what will he not be able to do, or what will he have to make special tools for? I know about making a c-washer for removing the upper wishbone bushes, but how about the lower bushes (no mention of a c-washer for them in my service manual), and rear suspension bushes? What I'm getting replaced are all the rear bushes, all the front bushes, and the steering rods and tie rod ends. I'm not replacing the ball joints on the front wheels, so do not have to press them out.

The alternative would be to use a garage that I do not know/trust. Actually I did 3 years ago to get the steering idler arm bush replaced when the car was registered the first time in this country, and now I have to get it replaced again. They could not find the part for me, so they had one fabricated... And they left the car full of grease marks on the paintwork and (fortunately vinal) seats and door panels. But it was urgent as I did not have another car.

A quick reply would be appreciated, as I have to arrange this within 2 days.
Thanks

I just finished replacing all the busing on my car (74 144) and quite honestly I don't know how you would do it without a press. I got mine on sale from Harbor Freight, but if you're in NZ, that rules out that option :( You could probably remove the bushings with a lot of special tools, but if you don't have them handy, it's going to cost a lot to buy or fabricate. The reason you don't ned the C-washer on the lower A-arm bushings is that on these the long thru-bolt can be completely removed, as opposed to the upper where you have to remove one busing to take out the bolt. The most tricky part I found, other than needing a hydraulic press, was to find an adapter that is just a few thousand smaller diameter than the bushing. If it's the same diameter, it'll get stuck in the hole as you drive out the bushing. I used sockets in different sizes, but the rounded corners on the sockets made the job a bit harder. This is the kind of job that goes a lot easier the second time...

Kåre

Thanks. So I'll go to the other shop (forgot about them when I posted the first message) that fitted my 240 front bushes, the large ones on the "wishbones".

I was wondering how you fit the large trailing arm front bushes without a press...

You need a press & a bunch of exhaust pipe offcuts. For lube I have found that fat works best & doesn't hurt rubber.

Cheers,
Paul.

You can replace the bushings without a press. I did all the bushings on my 1971 142 with out a press just a big bolt, some black pipe fittings and washers. but I am cheep and it took some time. I sure would not want to pay some one with out a press to start this job.

Thanks for all the replies. My time is worth too much to use bolts and pieces of pipe (would also have done that a few years ago), and I do recall reading your post about this. Just could not recall the details. I'm phoning around to find a suspension specialist.