anyone have a Body Bushing R&R tutorial

[edfiero1]

I see about 100 threads talking about body bushings but most of them deal with the merits of rubber vs poly.
Anyone have a DIY on how to do it? I saw the page at GNTTYPE.ORG, but this contains no pictures. I do much better when I have pictures to follow.

I'm looking to hear about different methods for doing this job. For example,do you really have to unbolt both sides of the car before starting? I'd rather do one side at a time if possible. (I dont have much time) Also, does bushing number 1 need to be removed to raise the body, if I'm not replacing it?

Thanks

 

[pacecarta]

one side at a time
all bolts have to be removed from side you're working on including the rear wheelhouse bolt behind front wheels
bumpers have to be removed
on driverside disconnect or loosen bolt from trans pivot to lockout rod hanging from column or turn key from lock so rod can move ..but youll need to adjsut lockout rod after new bushings go in so might as well just loosen that nut



http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/mounts.html
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/bushings.html
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/images/bushings.gif

 

[Gene Van Horn]

Keep searching,there are pictures of where each bushing goes. Also pictures of how to jack the body one side at a time unless you are doing a frame off. Its a little tricky with a 2x4 under the lip of car to do the sides. I used 4X4 to jack up the back. You have to get the old ones loose first and sometimes easier said than done. For instance two of mine toward the rear just snapped and i had to cut flaps out in trunk to get hold of them. On a better note this was by far the best upgrade i did for my car, seemed like whole diffferent car when i finished. Good luck, and be especially carful with your hands under the sides of car.

 

[BASS]

Are there any special instructions to just install the missing No. 3 & 4 position bushings, or is that a simple 1/2 hr. job?

 

[pacecarta]

those are not "missing" but if you want to install them they are the lowers , just remove bolt and put it back with the new bushing

 

[earlbrown]

Unbolt the bumpers and the power steering reservoir. When you lift the body to swap bushings, you will break the bumper fillers and reservoir if you don't take precautions.

When I did mine I was on the ground and used a block of wood under the floor pans to lift the body. When you get all the bolts started you'll want to make sure the inner rear wheel wells are centered and 'flush' with the frame at the wheel arches.

On the front of the car, you can move the radiator support left-to-right to make the front clip square (use the hood as a guide to keep the gaps even on both sides).


Note: these hints are for a car that hasn't lived up north. If that's the case the main job is getting them to break loose without spinning the captive nuts, or stripped the bolt threads where the bolts won't come out or tighten back up.

 

[1BUICKTtype]

one side at a time
all bolts have to be removed from side you're working on including the rear wheelhouse bolt behind front wheels
bumpers have to be removed
on driverside disconnect or loosen bolt from trans pivot to lockout rod hanging from column or turn key from lock so rod can move ..but youll need to adjsut lockout rod after new bushings go in so might as well just loosen that nut



http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/mounts.html
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/bushings.html
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/images/bushings.gif

Thank you, that was very helpful. I was gonna have someone do it but might attempt it myself now

 

[Darkstar72]

I'm taking my car to a friends shop to have this done next week and I'm pretty sure by the time its all said and done the budget will be wiped out for this year. I'm not expecting the job to go smoothly because nothing ever does on my cars.

 

[Pronto]

I know the feeling...