Community Forums:

Dear Metallo,

Hope you're well and stay so. As the conical bushings are made of rubber - with metal insert - it is most unlikely that bushing has fused with the control arm.

The rubber bushing contact surfaces might deteriorate and break into pieces. But the rubber is unlikely to melt, unless subject to sustained, high heat. This could happen during summer in the U.S. desert southwest or in parts of Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq.

You might want to soak the area in a penetrating oil (Kroil, PB Blaster). The oil will find micro-channels in the melted rubber and so soften the rubber.

You might also apply heat, e.g., from an electric heat gun. That, too, should soften the rubber but not damage the metal. High heat - e.g. from an acetylene torch - can soften metal: on a control arm that is plainly to be avoided.

Rubber softened by moderate heat and/or a penetrating oil, should be removable with gentle scraping.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook