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Warning – Use of this product should only be performed by a licensed and ASE Certified Automotive Technician.
We recommend that the installer have a laptop computer or tablet nearby during this procedure, or print off these PDF instructions. We highly recommend using a laptop computer or tablet at the vehicle location if possible over using the printed PDF instructions. The ability to enlarge the pictures on a computer or tablet display will ensure that all the important detail information in the pictures will be visible.
The larger screen of a laptop or tablet is highly preferred to a Smart Phone! The pictures contain important details that would be very difficult to view properly on the smaller display of a smart phone.
Make sure that you read each step fully from beginning to end before you perform any part of a step. Some steps may contain multiple procedures, and some steps may contain information at the end of the step, that is crucial to completing the step properly.
This procedure requires the vehicle to be raised in order to have clearance to work on underbody chassis components. Use only a certified automotive lift or certified automotive vehicle ramps to raise the vehicle for service. Do Not use hydraulic jacks or jack stands for obvious safety reasons. When working under a vehicle always wear safety glasses.
This is what is included in the German Auto Solutions bushing removal tool kit.
Take note of tool component descriptions for proper identification during instruction steps. Different tool components will be used during different steps.
NOTE – Always make sure that the needle bearing is kept clean and that it is always used with a thick hardened washer on each side.
Always keep the threaded rod away from dirt and contaminates.
This is the small cup and the two styles of press adaptors.
The press adaptors sit in the cavity of the small cup. The rubber O-rings keep the adaptors held in place while using the tool.
Which press adaptor you will use will depend on which style of control arm bushings you have.
Here you can see the difference between the two styles of press adaptors.
The tapered adaptor is for use on OEM bushings with tapered ends.
The flat adaptor is for use on some aftermarket bushings and E90 M3 bushings with flat ends.
DO NOT use the wrong adaptor type when removing the bushings.
Here you can see the difference between the different bushing styles.
The ends of the OEM bushings are rolled over slightly to form a small taper. The aftermarket (Meyle) bushing shown has flat ends.
The OEM bushings with tapered ends are easier to remove because the tapered press adaptor will center itself over the end of the bushing.
Here is a side view of the two bushing styles.
When removing flat ended bushings the flat press adaptor has to be manually centered over the end of the bushing.
Extra care must be taken to make sure that a non-center tool does not gouge the inside of a control arm bore.
This picture shows the order of assembly for the tool components that will be required when you pull the stock bushing from the control arm. Note – Not all tool components are used for this procedure.
IMPORTANT – Make sure to use the correct press adaptor for your style of bushing. Only use the NON-FLAT adaptor on bushings with tapered ends as shown in the picture.
IMPORTANT – The standard washer goes behind the head of the puller bolt. The two thicker hardened washers go behind the nut, one on each side of the needle bearing. DO NOT mix any of these parts up or fail to include any of them when using the tool!
#1
Instructions will be given for the drivers side only. Repeat the instructions on the passenger side when instructed to do so.
To drop the control from the sub frame mount, remove the nut shown. If you purchased new nuts discard the old nuts, they will not be reused.
#2
Remove the bolt from the control arm mount then pull down the control arm as shown.
#3
The stock rubber bushings need to be cleaned and lubed before pressing them through the control arm bores. There seems to be more clearance when pressing the bushings from the inboard side to the outboard side of the car. These instructions and all pictures will be shown removing the bushings in that direction.
Thoroughly clean the O.D of the “INBOARD” end of the bushing with the provided Scotch-Brite pad as shown in the picture.
Clean the Scotch-Brited surface with brake cleaner or other solvent, then apply a film of oil or light grease to the ENTIRE cleaned surface. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
There will be a lot of load placed on the puller tool during removal of the bushing. Cleaning and lubricating the bushing surface will help reduce those loads considerably.
Some Important Information about the German Auto Solutions Bushing Removal Rental Tool.
The German Auto Solutions bushing removal tool is a precision custom tool. The threaded rod and custom deep nut have fine and close tolerance precision threads. DO NOT lay the threaded rod on any dirty surface or expose it to any dirt or grit. Any grit allowed to get onto the threads can cause damage to the threads and possibly seize the nut to the rod.
DO NOT clean the threaded rod with solvent. The threads come pre-lubed with a red moly based grease which is required because of the high loads put on the threads during bushing removal. Use of solvent will wash away the lubrication. If the rod gets exposed to dirt or grit, lightly clean the threads with a soft clean cloth while trying not to remove the applied grease.
Remember, you will be held financially reasonable for any careless damage done to the tool components. If any parts of the tool kit are returned damaged the cost of those parts will be deducted from your security deposit.
#4
Install the correct bushing “press adaptor” that is required for the type of bushings that you are removing, into the small cup
Slide the puller tool threaded rod through the control arm bushing with the thin washer behind the rod bolt end and with smaller cup positioned as shown in the picture.
#5
Slide the larger cup onto the opposite end of the threaded rod, followed by thick washer, needle bearing, thick washer, then nut.
If using the “Tapered Press Adaptor” center the recess over the tapered end of the OEM bushing.
If using the “Flat Press Adaptor” you will need to center the adaptor to end of the OEM bushing visually and by feel.
Note – After time the rubber I.D. of the bushing takes a set a little off center from the O.D., you need to make sure that the cup recess is surrounding the taper of the OEM bushing and not sitting a little “cock eyed” on it. If needed push the small cup in the direction it needs to move to center itself over the bushing taper while hand tightening the nut. You DO NOT want to use the tool if the small cup is not properly centered.
#6
The rod bolt head and long hex nut on the puller tool are both 19mm. You are going to want to hold the bolt head and turn the long hex nut.
Because even a deep well socket will be too short, I highly, highly recommend a “Gearwrench” to turn the nut. Without one you will get very tired repositioning a box end wrench. If you don’t have them you should get a set. You will never regret it. You can find them at Sears and many other tool sellers.
The bushing will take some force to start moving, but will get easier once broken loose.
#7
Because of the fine pitch threads on the rod it will take a few minutes to pull the bushing all the way through the control arm.
If you are using the flat pressing adapter pay close attention to the centering of the adaptor as it enters the control arm bore. If the adapter is off center it will damage the bore of the control arm as it’s being pulled through.
#8
Once free of the control arm, remove the puller tool with bushing.
Repeat process for other side of vehicle.
This completes the control arm bushing removal process for use of the German Auto Solutions Bushing Removal Tool.
For instructions on installing new bushings or monoballs refer to the appropriate instructions for that product.