Help w/ Compression Rod Install... Stuck Bushing - Page 3 - G35Driver

Oct 10, 2015 | 07:04 PM

#31

whutch1

Registered User

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 73

Likes: 8

From: Central Arkansas USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeDG

^ I used a gear puller that I rented from AutoZone to pull the bushing out of the compresson rod. It takes a couple of tons of force to remove the oem bushing, so your not gonna have much luck with a screwdriver. I did this initally hoping that the puller would apply enough downward force to break the rust free, but my inner bushing was so rusted that the whole thing slipped out of the compression rod.

This is what I rented:

I attached the puller arms to the top edges of the compresson rod, and used the threaded stud on the car body to pull the bushing out. It was pretty sketchy because the arms kept slipping off and I had to re-adjust the gear puller many times. Be very careful if you attempt this. If you apply to much force sideways you risk snapping that stud attached to the body.

I usd this method as well to rip the rubber busing. Very frustrating this rusted setback.

Oct 10, 2015 | 07:24 PM

#32

whutch1

Registered User

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 73

Likes: 8

From: Central Arkansas USA

After a little help from a three arm puller

Had to grind the whole shaft and nut off the other end

Stripped out, no wonder the previous owner let this replacement go... (DiCk)

Oct 10, 2015 | 07:31 PM

#33

whutch1

Registered User

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 73

Likes: 8

From: Central Arkansas USA

Well into the process of doing front lower rear compression rods. Driver side no prob. Passenger side, "not so much". Had to grind off the nut and ball joint shaft on one end. Now I'm facing a saws all approach to get the remaining part of the arm off. THE Rusted-on bushing... Prolly gonna have to be a combination effort with cutting foot holds into the metal bushing for the three arm puller. It HAS to work. At least without torquing the bolt on frame. VERY frustrating.

Update:
Heat was the eventual winner with a little help from some Chanel locks. After everything was cleaned up the exchange was pretty easy. Rides MUCH mo' bettah.

Last edited by whutch1; Oct 11, 2015 at 09:07 PM.

Oct 10, 2015 | 07:51 PM

#34

whutch1

Registered User

Joined: Jul 2013

Posts: 73

Likes: 8

From: Central Arkansas USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by g35man04

it seems that most have trouble doing this install and im not sure why...I pulled off mine the other day to install my SPL bushings and man everything was a breeze for me. been lowered on my g35 for 2 years now......tossed alittle bit of PB Blaster on it about 2-3 hours before I started...I undid the bottom nut first on the front suspension knuckle to free up any tension against the compression rod.

Then I took my crow bar in between the compression rod and the body and just pried down alittle and both just slid right off. I didnt use any form of a power tool either. I broke loose all the bolts first with my breaker bar just to get everything started and then hit it with my air rachet on low speed and everything came off like a breeze

Note that whenever they came off there was def rust on the bolt and I can see where some can have problems but mine went pretty dang smooth.

not sure how bad mine were but they were all def blown.

Pressed in

Back installed

personally after looking through all of the compression rods available...hands down I would install SPL over any bushing into this particular spot.....The energy bushing I dont believe has any pivot angle like SPL since its just the center metal piece around the bolt with the Urethane bushings just set up in there since everyone seems to claim that you dont press them in.

Count your blessings, dude.