So, the passenger side rear A-arm needs new bushings.

I've got a 12-ton shop press from Harbor Freight. I've got a new set of bushings for the rear control arm on my 2004 XJR.

Where do you find the accessories for driving out the old bushings and driving in the new bushings? (What are they called might be a good start).

I'm very mechanically inclined, and I've changed bushings before, but I just happened to have a steel pipe that was the exact size I needed last time. This time I don't and I need to locate something.

The bigger bushing needs an O.D. approx. 56mm (2 7/32) and an I.D. > 49mm (1 15/16)

The smaller bushing needs an O.D. approx. 47mm (1 27/32) and an I.D. > 41mm (1 5/8)

What are these things called? Receivers? Drifts? Press gadgets?

Where can I get them? Amazon?

 

Hi hunter34,

I don't know all the names of those things either. I think some are ram force buttons or caps, some are dies, some are arbor plates, etc. But you don't need "official" attachments for your press. Often, you just need a couple of sockets from your ratchet set selected for their outer or inner diameter. You want a socket that will press well on the outer rim of the bushing, and either a larger socket for underneath or a couple of bars or plates to support the control arm. Unfortunately, your bushings are much larger in diameter than the largest sockets in most of our tool collections.

For those situations, I keep on hand a variety of cast iron pipe fittings, iron pipe nipples, thick metal plates and bars, angle irons, a large bearing separator from Harbor Freight, etc. You might take a trip to Lowes or Home Depot with your control arm and replacement bushings to see if you can match up a pipe fitting or a stack of thick washers to use as your "thrust" device.

See the photo albums below for some of the press setups I've done for bushing and bearing swaps for ideas of the kinds of things that might help you do your current job:

Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page
Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page

A few important things to keep in mind:

1. Eye protection is mandatory
2. Never apply pressure to an unsteady setup - I've learned the hard way that when they collapse parts can violently explode in every direction
3. Before you press in new bushings, put them in the freezer for 30 minutes or more to contract their outside diameters and make them a little easier to press in - remove them from the freezer one at a time, just before you press them in. For bushes with outer circumferences that are rubber or rubber coated, apply a little soapy water as a lubricant.

Cheers,

Don