Hi, I'm trying to replace the rear bushings on the the front lower arm on my 90. Its definatley a huge pain at the moment. I've cut the bushing in half and still can't remove it while its on the car.
I was wondering if anyone had any tricks to remove the bushing while the arm is still on the car. I'm trying to avoid damage to the ball joint since its expensive to replace in an s5 it it becomes damaged.
Burning the bushing on the car isn't really an option, anyone have any ideas?

 

they are definitely a bitch to remove. i had to burn mine.

 

This is a 5 min job. Buy a bearing puller and it will come off easy. They tool cost about $45 at a local parts store.
Thanks Robert

 

There is almost no point in trying to do this on the vehicle; it makes for alot of unnecessary cursing. There is a metal sleeve encased inside the rubber bushing. You will have to cut the sleeve in order to get the bushing off. It is easier to just go to Autozone and rent a puller.

 

Yeah, or just pull the whole lower control arm off... All you have to do not to damage the ball joint is just pry apart the little gap, then i'll fall right down. But if you insist on doing it on the car, fire is your best friend. Or get a bearing puller like everyone said.

 

light the bearing puller on fire then use it.

 

Then eat it.

 

buy a spare set of s4 control arms, a new set of replaceable ball joints, and throw your s5 ones in the trash?

 

haha thanks for all the advice, I ended up using a hack saw and cutting a V into the top of the bushing. Worked well enough. A bearing puller is a much better idea though.