Camaro LCA Bushings

[dwwilson79]

Hi,

I'm trying to install lower control arm bushings in a '92 Camaro. The Energy Suspension kit number I purchased is 3.3157R. 4 bushing "assemblies" in the kit.

There was a sheet of instructions in the box but, they were for sway bar bushings. I saw the "Technical Installation Sheet" for the bushings on the ES web site and just wanted to make sure I read them right. The bushing "assemblies" in the kit have to be disassembled, greased and then the empty outer shell pressed into the LCA, then the bushing and inner sleeve pressed into the outer shell? Is that correct? If that is correct, what's a good way to remove the bushing from the outer shell without damaging it? I don't have a press or access to one. I do have a 5 inch vise (weak) and a ball joint press (that's what I used to remove the old rubber bushings).

Thanks,
David

[EnergyGeek]

David,

I have read the instruction sheets myself and I want to comfort you in knowing that we now pre-grease our bushing when supplied inside of a new shell.  No need to remove the urethane bushing and re-grease.  I hope this clarifies this issue.

Energy

[dwwilson79]

Ahh Jeff - good to know! Thanks for the quick reply!

David

[dwwilson79]

Hi,

I have a problem:

The bolts that go thru the inner sleeve on the original bushings are metric. The inner sleeves on the new bushings are bigger than those of the old bushings and so the original bolts won't work (too much slop). The bolts that work with the new bushings are too big to go thru the LCA mounting holes in the frame.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
David

[dwwilson79]

OK - I know what the answer is. Drill the holes bigger? Nope, that's not the answer. It's not possible because of clearance issues - can't get the drill in there, even without a bit. The car is on jack stands - not a lift. Don't think it would matter though...

No, the answer was a reamer. It was a pain in the arse but, it did the trick. I actually had to cut about a half inch off the end of the reamer to get it into the back hole on the back bushing because it was too long.

Thanks,
David

[EnergyGeek]

Sorry I wasn't able to get back to you sooner, I was out for about a week with the pig virus but just got back in and see that you have resolved your issue with the sleeve.  I will look into this issue further so that we can limit this issue with later kits.  Thanks!!

Jeff

[tiresmokindad]

Hi,

I'm trying to install lower control arm bushings in a '92 Camaro. The Energy Suspension kit number I purchased is 3.3157R. 4 bushing "assemblies" in the kit.

There was a sheet of instructions in the box but, they were for sway bar bushings. I saw the "Technical Installation Sheet" for the bushings on the ES web site and just wanted to make sure I read them right. The bushing "assemblies" in the kit have to be disassembled, greased and then the empty outer shell pressed into the LCA, then the bushing and inner sleeve pressed into the outer shell? Is that correct? If that is correct, what's a good way to remove the bushing from the outer shell without damaging it? I don't have a press or access to one. I do have a 5 inch vise (weak) and a ball joint press (that's what I used to remove the old rubber bushings).

Thanks,
David

I had the same issue but was able to get the shell off with a press and hold/cold water treatments  good luck