Carli trackbar bushing replacement.......

[TwinStick]

So, after replacing the shifter boot today on the G56, I figured I'd try to tackle the Carli trackbar bushing replacement (not the heim joint). Started out well, bolt came off easier than I thought. But the bushings & the sleeve.... What a royal PITA. After an hour or so of trying to get old stuff out, they finally came out. Broke 2 C-clamps in the process. The inner metal sleeve was corroded beyond all get out. I suspect that was part of the problem of why the bushing were not coming out, because it was bigger than stock because of the corrosion.I had to use the belt sander on it. CARLI SHOULD INCLUDE A NEW METAL SLEEVE WITH THE REPLACEMENT BUSHING. Also had a hell of a time getting new ones in, even though everything was lubed. Wife was needed for a second set of hands for the install of the new stuff. Got done & cleaned up just as it got dark. Used both feet against the tire, a 1/2" breaker bar with a pipe extension & gave it all I had for torque, after using my 18v elec impact wrench. Ended up taking longer than the shifter boot.

[ramv]

After having my wife help install a new T-case in my Chevy 2500 I don't think she would help with sway bar bushings. Good work!

[Colibri]

Are you talking about the trackbar bushing?

[TwinStick]

Yes, trackbar bushing, sorry. It was a long day. I'll fix that.

[Colibri]

Man that sounds like a rough time you had, unfortunately without a bench vise I don't know of an easier way to tackle that job. Kudos to you for getting it done sir

[coder]

So, after replacing the shifter boot today on the G56, I figured I'd try to tackle the Carli trackbar bushing replacement (not the heim joint). Started out well, bolt came off easier than I thought. But the bushings & the sleeve.... What a royal PITA. After an hour or so of trying to get old stuff out, they finally came out. Broke 2 C-clamps in the process. The inner metal sleeve was corroded beyond all get out. I suspect that was part of the problem of why the bushing were not coming out, because it was bigger than stock because of the corrosion.I had to use the belt sander on it. CARLI SHOULD INCLUDE A NEW METAL SLEEVE WITH THE REPLACEMENT BUSHING. Also had a hell of a time getting new ones in, even though everything was lubed. Wife was needed for a second set of hands for the install of the new stuff. Got done & cleaned up just as it got dark. Used both feet against the tire, a 1/2" breaker bar with a pipe extension & gave it all I had for torque, after using my 18v elec impact wrench. Ended up taking longer than the shifter boot.

Are you talking about the poly bushings on the drivers side frame?

[TwinStick]

Yes.

I could hear my neighbor doing dinner dishes from her kitchen window, while I was working on the trackbar. Conversation went kinda like this: ME: - Why you dirty rotten SOB, Mother F***er, Ahhhhh, @$%*&^!#@ !!! Neighbor lady: working on the cars again Mike ? Ahhh, yup, sorry.

[DamageWagon]

That sucks man, I've never had corrosion issues with mine but I have Rusty's old bar and the heim was a rust bucket. I can pull my bar, replace the heim and bushings, adjust and reinstall in under 60 minutes now (not a mark of pride, I just let having Trackbar problems).

The bushings are designed to be a press fit, generally requiring a vise for install. The problem with mine was that it slipped right in, no press fit, which was "unheard of and extremely unlikely" per the two individuals that have a public voice at Carli. Did you use a vise to install the bushings? Carlis are difficult in that they flare out where they are to be pressed in.

[TwinStick]

No vise. Did it while it was on the truck. Used Big 8" C-clamps (made in China is all I had). Broke 2 of them. Finally, I found a scrap piece of thick aluminum and a scrap piece of steel. Put one over the open side of track bar & the other over the bushing half. With the wife helping, that did the trick. Got one side in, then the other. The metal sleeve almost broke my last 8" C-clamp, trying to get it in. I have a new heim as well but it still seems tight. Next time, I will replace both at the same time & remove it to do it.

[RustyPW]

That sucks man, I've never had corrosion issues with mine but I have Rusty's old bar and the heim was a rust bucket. I can pull my bar, replace the heim and bushings, adjust and reinstall in under 60 minutes now (not a mark of pride, I just let having Trackbar problems).

The bushings are designed to be a press fit, generally requiring a vise for install. The problem with mine was that it slipped right in, no press fit, which was "unheard of and extremely unlikely" per the two individuals that have a public voice at Carli. Did you use a vise to install the bushings? Carlis are difficult in that they flare out where they are to be pressed in.

What's funny. Brand new, I never had to use a vise to press the bushings in on that bar.

[DamageWagon]

My Carli bushing slipped right in and only lasted 3000 miles before ovaling. My Thuren bushing I had to press on with the vise, very tight, then fight with a hammer and both my legs pushing it in just to install in the truck. Squeaking just started under the front end with any suspension movement and I'm wondering if it's the bushing, if so I'm happy!