348 - Suspension Bushings | FerrariChat

348 Suspension Bushings

Discussion in '348/355' started by John Glen, Jun 23, 2020.

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  1. John Glen

    John Glen Formula Junior

    Dec 30, 2009
    476
    Victoria, B.C, Can.
    Full Name:
    John Glen Wesanko
    Just thought I would ask the experts about how best to remove and replace suspension bushings. Is there a special fixture or a homemade tool that can support the suspension arm while applying pressure with a press ? I notice the new bushings have flats on the inboard end where as the original ones do not ? Do I have to cut the old bushes ? Thanks for any help, JGW
     
  2. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    12,661
    San Carlos, CA
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    Mitchell Le
    This is one of the more awkward job even for a press. The A arms can be large and not fit that well into the press. You will have to be very creative. What you need to do is

    1. Use a sawzall and cut the two ends off the bushing.
    2. Then drill out the center shaft or push it out.
    3. Remove the rubber portion of the bushing surrounding the center shaft.
    4. Then use the sawzall to cut a slit length-wise into the outer shaft of the bushing to relieve its pressure.
    5. Grind off the two spot welds attaching the bushing to the A arm
    6. Hammer out the outer bushing skin.
    7. Reverse the process this time use a press or a high quality bench vise, and finish with two spot welds on the new bushing to the a arm again

    I noticed that freezing the new bushings the night before does make it a little easier to install, just a little. Do take picture of the A arm and orientation of the bushings before you remove anything. You won't remember how they go back together without notes.

    So welder, sawzall, bench vise, cheater bar, press, grinder, and creativity.
     
  3. 348Jeff

    348Jeff Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2011
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    Jeff
  4. QSA

    QSA Formula Junior
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    Jun 3, 2011
    299
    Kingwood, TX
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    Quinn
    Here are a couple of resources that will help with methods of install/removal.



     
  5. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
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    Jul 28, 2018
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    SoCal1 likes this.
  6. A348W

    A348W Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2017
    1,741
    North Wiltshire, UK
    As Jeff says above.

    I did mine in a similar way with a big bench vise.

    other difference was in removing the old bushes I didn’t drill the rubber; I just burnt it out with a hand held blow torch and the inners just fell out.

    Sod of a job, so worth while asking your local Ferrari specialist how much they would charge. (Make sure they know what they are doing!). Either for the entire job or to take the arms and bushes in and get them to swap them over.
     
  7. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
    12,661
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    Mitchell Le
    I really do not want to rain on this parade but these two methods are worthless when it comes to the Ferrari control arms. The first one is useless because the Ferrari A arm has cross braces that impede access to the press, and the second one is worthless because the Ferrari bushings are welded on and there is no gap for the chisel to fit in.

    This job is really a big and nasty job best left for someone who is a very serious and well equipped DIY or for the professional mechanic.
     
  8. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
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  9. QSA

    QSA Formula Junior
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    Jun 3, 2011
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    Quinn
    I see no issue with using an air hammer to remove all the control arm bushings. They have metal ends and can be pushed out through the backside. I have an arm on my bench now and will give it a go and report back.

    I also don’t see an issue of access with installing with a press. Fundamentals should all be the same. Will report back on this as well.

    As far as the bushings being welded on, I’ll have to go take a look. I did not notice that when I pulled the control arm.
     
  10. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
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    If you cut the flange end off with a saws all you can push the pushing from either side on a press easily. Just need a mandrel the right size is to press on the same OD as the bushing sleeve (I suspect a chrome plated 1" socket will work.) and a backing mandrel.

    As such.

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  11. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
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  12. 97 Spider

    97 Spider Formula 3
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    Dec 15, 2012
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    I just did mine, what a giant pain. They made a revision on 355 arms to give a lip to press against. You can get 355 bushings out in minutes, 348 not so much, same as early Diablo I did, the engineers had no thought for the guy who had to replace them in the future. Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  13. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    Nov 29, 2001
    12,661
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    Mitchell Le
    All suspension bushings from the GT4 to the 328 including the one I did yesterday all had spot welds holding the bushing to the A arm. It's been a while since I did the 348 so I can't remember if it had spot welds. Nevertheless, it's still a pain of a job. Good luck to you DIY guys to tackle this.
     
  14. Pangea

    Pangea Formula Junior

    Mar 27, 2011
    442
    UK
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    Nick
    Mine weren't spot welded.
     
  15. John Glen

    John Glen Formula Junior

    Dec 30, 2009
    476
    Victoria, B.C, Can.
    Full Name:
    John Glen Wesanko
    Thanks for all the help. Yes it is a nasty job on a 348......will report when I have completed, JGW
     
  16. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 14, 2011
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    Tim Dee
    I use mine all the time works great, not a HF one but quite similar. even makes truck ball joints an easy job
     

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