Body Bushings...

[guysmontess]

Well I'm finally getting around to doing one job that I have been dreading for several years.Yep,I'm replacing the original body bushings in my '86 Monte Carlo SS.I also have new front end goodies to put on that I got from Mark at SC&C,and he had advised me to use a set of Polygraphite bushings from PST.I got the bolts loosened although one of them broke,and a couple are wore quite a bit.The old bushings are in pretty sad condition and probably should have been replaced years ago.I've got the tops on the drivers side in position 7,6,5,4 and 3,the broken bolt is in position 2 and that spot also needs a patch welded in due to a bit of rust.I'll post more tonight along with pictures,hopefully I'll get this job done today.
Guy

 

[Indycars]

Looking forward to seeing some pictures, I've never even considered this type of project so not sure what you will be in for.

Hopefully you have a somewhat clean car underneath, so there is not alot stuff falling in your face while you're working.

 

[mathd]

I did my body bushing this winter on my camaro, its not a full lenght frame(f-body)
But usually, the common problem is the cage nut lift and the nut just turn freely(so need to open/cut the floor above that nut to access and complete the uninstall of the bushing/bolt.)
I didnt had much problem i used jack with a 2x4 to spread to load underneath the floor to support the body. I loosened all the bolt(but do not remove) and did one side at a time, i need to pry with some bar to get the lower dash and radiator support bushing out.

Now i think you car is full lenght frame so that may be different. I think a lift is usefull there(lifting the whole body keeping the frame on the ground) take care for fuel/brake lines and steering/clutch.

 

[guysmontess]

I made a little more progress today,still not done,and found 2 more rusty spots that will need a patch welded in.All the top bushings are in place except the 3 needing a patch and the fronts are done.One patch is made and welded in so 2 more to be made up.we got the broken bolt out,Mark welded a nut on the broken peice,heated it up with the torch and got it to turn out.This is taken longer than I had hoped,but I guess thats how things go sometimes...Hopefully tomorrow will see this project all done and the next one started.Heres some pictures;

Guy

 

[grumpyvette]

I love these type of threads, ESPECIALLY when you post lots of pictures, simply because theres so few people doing the repairs that any infos useful and informative

 

[mathd]

I love these type of threads, ESPECIALLY when you post lots of pictures, simply because theres so few people doing the repairs that any infos useful and informative

yeah i love pictures me too .
Thsoe bushing and bolt where really in need of a replacement. mine where not soo bad and i had only 6 to change.
Nice and clean underside car

 

[guysmontess]

Thanks for the compliments guys,my buddy Mark gets a kick out of me taking so many pictures,I tell him I gotta document everything,and digital camera's sure make it easy.I cleaned & painted the underneath a couple of years ago with POR 15 and it still looks pretty good.For an east coast car mine is in decent shape,mostly because its never been winter driven,and I spray it every year before it gets stored for the winter.I was surprised to see bushings in the # 5 position above the rear wheelwell as those are usually reserved for the Buick Grand National's.Heres a few more pictures with some of the bushings in place;

I'm hoping to see an improvement in ride & handling,I have noticed more body rattles and it seemed like the whole car was a bit "loosey" in the corners.Sometimes it takes me a while to get things done as my buddy Mark and his wife have an 18 month old boy and Mark has to take his turn as "Mr Mom" and I try to do as much of my own work as possible,so I have to work around Mark' schedule.And he's fussy about how things get done,so we spend more time doing things the way he wants them done instead of cutting corners,which is fine with me.Hopefully this job will get finished today.
Guy

 

[Indycars]

Great pictures......really makes understanding what's involved in the job alot easier. Mark sounds
like a good person to know, is that his lift you are working on???

Since you cleaned and painted with Por15, I guess there was NO need in me worrying about crude
falling in your face while working.

Now you are probably saying......"Why did I put this off for so long, it wasn't that bad!"

 

[guysmontess]

Well I got my bushings all done and the rusty holes are all patched.Making patches to fit so Mark could butt weld them in was time consuming,it probably took more time to do that than it did to replace the bushings.I got all the bolts except the front ones torqued to 50 ft.lbs,I need a hand to do the front ones.Now I can get started on my front end parts,I cant wait to see how it rides & handles when its all done.

Guy