C-2 A-Frame Bushings.

[`Michael Southard]

Does anybody know where I might begin trying to locate the A-Frame bushing removal and installation tool illustrated in the 63 shop manual page 3-15.

Some body must have duplicated it by now. Looks like a pipe cut in half, with a slot in one side. At need dimensions.

Mike S.

[Joe L.]

Re: C-2 A-Frame Bushings.

Mike-----

To my knowledge there is no "reproduction" of the tools you mentioned currently being manufactured. The original tools were discontinued by Kent-Moore over 20 years ago.

If you feel that you need these tools, you can fabricate a usable set of tools using the pictures in the service manual and dimensions which you can obtain by measurement from the a-arms.

[`Michael Southard]

Re: C-2 A-Frame Bushings.

Thanks, I figured that I may end up doing that...was just kinda hoping with all the restos going on that this was a plentiful tool.
Mike S.

[William C.]

Re: C-2 A-Frame Bushings.

Many of us just send them off to a shop that Specalizes in that type of work. I just dropped mine off at Bair's in PA yesterday.

[Mike Cobine]

Re: C-2 A-Frame Bushings.

While many send them off, you may be able to do them yourself or locally. If you do your own work, then you can probably handle them.

Get a piece of pipe large enough the bushing to slip in, and then drive the bushing out from behind and into the pipe. You can do this with a home press, a very large vise, or even a large hammer.

As far as getting them done locally, check for heavy duty mechanical shops, not the Pep Boys version, but the old style dark and dirty places that look like light has never entered.

Where I grew up, there were several truck companies and some ran their own shops that would do outside work. There was also a couple of truck repair shops that had lots of presses and such, and were good for having king pins out of straight axles from under old Fords and bushings from other items.

You would need to supply your own correct bushings.

[`Michael Southard]

Re: C-2 A-Frame Bushings.

I pretty much like to do all my own work and do have a press. Just thought this tool wouldn't be a big deal to find.

Had another neighbor stop by and suggest fire, then bang out the remainder. I even had a "corvette tool supplier" e-mail me back and tell me to burn out the rubber and do the same thing because they had not manufactured one for A-frame bushings either.

Maybe...there's a patent in my future?????????
Mike S.

[Chuck R.]

Re: C-2 A-Frame Bushings.

Hi Mike'

Are the a-arms out of the car?

If so, I just run a 1/4" drill bit in by the bushing and chew out the rubber.

This allows for the removal of the shafts with the inner bushing sleeve still attached.

I then use a die grinder to nip the inner lip of the outter bushing sleeve against the a-arm and notch the remainder inner area of the sleeve with a hacksaw blade being carewful not to go too far.

Then it's a matter of caving it inward with a chisel until it releases.

The split sleeve portion still on the shafts can easily be knocked off with the chisel.

A little care should be taken when pressing in the new bushings as you CAN bend the a-arms if you don't properly back the arms while pressing.

Oh yeah, make sure that the shafts are in place before you press them in place

Regards,

Chuck

[`Michael Southard]

Re: C-2 A-Frame Bushings.

Thanks Chuck, That's a little more of what I was hoping to hear. I think I can do that without screwing something up.

Me and fire...not a good combo! I also found out that I would have to have made two different tools as they are different sizes between the uppers and lowers.
Mike