VW T3 / T25 / Vanagon - Lower Control Arm Bush Replacement

In this video I remove the original bush from the lower control arm (track control arm) and replace with a new Powerflex bush. More info on the blog: vwt25.blog/201...
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[@agnesofglassstudiogalleryl8921]

Thank you for all of your videos I couldn’t of done it without your in depth step-by-step instructions.. very much appreciate it keep them coming!

[@nmartin5551]

“Should be straightforward.” Can’t tell who how many times I’ve thought or said that and been totally wrong! Great video!

[@Viktor_DumVKopci]

Thank you for the video James. It helped me to prepare for the same job on my T3. It was done on a hoist in my friend´s garage. You do have my large respect to do it on the ground. I can not imagine doing it this way as I had to cut out and beat out one of those bolts.

[@m.jackson3293]

What's up, man? I'm from NYC and I collect rare VWs. You are the coolest guy on U-Tube that I know. Your presentations are scholarly and on point, your setup and approach are realistic( no fluff) and, your engineering concepts are broad-minded, meaning that the average guy) can apply them across the board. "Stay up..."

[@SCD-jy2xs]

Thanks for this clear and well edited video. I’ve been saving for 10 years and finally bought a 1991 van last week. It’s got all the original bushings so plenty of DIY work to come.

[@CDVEDROD]

Well done! I like that you show the various problems that come up and how to solve them. Great explanations as well!

[@markschuyler3768]

Enjoyed watching. Thanks so much for making this video. Off to watch your others…

[@ericrb76]

Great video, you definitely sold me on the power flex bushing as the best option for do-it-your-selfer. The split design makes it easy work!!

[@Azzman1000]

All your videos are a great help! I've just ordered the powerflex kit because i got a set of standard bushes and just cant see a way to press it at home with the limited tools i have. The rubber itself on the standard bushes isn't even as wide as the control arm before its compressed when installed.

[@Flozman1982]

Great vid James, looked like a decent bush, I would have chucked the new ones in the spares pile and let them marinate for another 12 months ;) I use one of the hole saw kits on my drill to remove rubber bush's like this, it kind of evolved from the drilling out method you used and the fact I cant always set them on fire.

[@BVGRAFX]

Thanks for your great video. I was very nervous about undoing a pivot point so near that large spring - was worried it might slam to the floor. However, watching your video reassured me I would not die in this process. My only complaint is that you did not warm us about the stink the old rubber bushing makes while being cut with the multi-saw!

[@JamesAkers]

Haha! Yeah, it's horrible isn't it?

[@nmartin5551]

Great video!

[@thebeardedsprinter1580]

great video, nice and clear.

[@terryshaw1134]

Nice job on the video, thanks. The only thing I would have done differently is put Never seize on the nuts and bolt so that the next time there wont be as much grunting. LOL

[@4RingsRetro]

Your videos are the best I've seen so far. I hope your lack of recent uploads means you've not given up on the T25?

[@JamesAkers]

Thanks Richard. Absolutely not, still very much in love with the van! We had a baby last year so all our time is with her at the moment. I've got a very long list of things to do when I get a spare moment (eventually).

[@4RingsRetro]

@@JamesAkers That's great news and congratulations! I think your shooting style, the concise explanation and the inclusion of your workings out really make this something I can follow easily! Looking forward to ordering some Powerflex once I get this new exhaust system (1.9DG) sorted! Thanks for the reply!

[@T_ndhlovunator]

Love your work

[@3865ron]

The best and easiest way to get those LCA bushings out, other than a press, is a two jaw gear puller. Get at least a 6" puller, cut a little bit of rubber away from the edge of the LCA in two places so the jaws have good contact. Once you get good straight contact it's just a matter of threading in the "puller" which in this case is the "pusher". If you're replacing with OEM style bushings you can push them in but you'll need at least an 8" gear puller. Once I got mine out I noticed in one of the LCAs that there were 2 partial "tunnels" on the inside walls...evidence that someone in the past tried to drill them out.

[@stevebarratt6648]

I will definitely use this method when I do this job - and removing other old bushes! Thanks

[@JamesAkers]

Great tip, thanks!

[@JayKippsBand]

Thanks for posting. great video! curious did you need to do a realignment after the install?

[@sarran1955]

Hello, Well done, a nice clear video.. Came here off 80-90.. Cordialement,

[@JamesAkers]

sarran1955 Thanks Sarran. Just subscribed to your channel, your welding stuff will come in handy!

[@lelandscottgregory7489]

excellent video... thanks

[@anator18]

Good job!

[@andreasdahl717]

thank you for makeing this vid!!

[@myggjager8331]

Hey James, thanks again for sharing!, seems the bushes from Powerflex are quite different than the original model Are you pleased of the Powerflex Kits and how is the feeling driving after installing all kits? Best regards

[@casperakoma7273]

good job thanks for sharing. What manual are you using can i download it.

[@JamesAkers]

It's the Bentley Volkswagen Vanagon workshop manual. Take a look at the downloads section here: vwt25.blog/files

[@victorcaballeroguerrero4003]

Hello friend, what lubricant to use to install the hub. Greetings from Mexico.

[@camperuwe]

You are a very lucky man when these fucking Bolts go out as yours. Normally they don`t move until you use the Angle Grinder.

[@JamesAkers]

Check out my trailing arm video, I wasn't so lucky! 🤣

[@jazjaz2364]

why not use a hole saw to cut the ancient brush ?

[@afoxatemyinternet4215]

Really good vid. Looking for the radius bush one now but guess you have not got round to it! How much swearing was edited out during the old bush removal. Much me thinks!

[@JamesAkers]

GD M Thanks! Yeah, I should release a bloopers reel. Swore the most when I knocked over the phone and cracked the back! The other side came out easy when I drilled it to death first. Got a day off so I'm trying the radius rods on Monday, wish me luck!

[@afoxatemyinternet4215]

So drilling out is the answer! I'm in the process of doing the radius bushes. first one was OK but one side has sawed an elongated hole in the chassis!

[@JamesAkers]

That's what I'm worried about! Hopefully they're still round. Are you going to weld it? To get the rods off did you just use a open ended spanner?

[@afoxatemyinternet4215]

27mm socket on the end nut with a breaker bar. separating the Radius rod took a while. Removal of the back bolt is the key. Then bash an old flat bladed screwdiver in to separate. Once I had the radius rod off I could clean up the threads. Never had a go at welding but do have access to an arc but not sure if that's good enough. I have read on 8090 about running a bead inside to build up the metal, then shape with files/grinder.

[@type2523]

Are you using 2 or 3 ton jacks

[@JamesAkers]

It's a 3 ton jack and 6 ton axle stands from SGS Engineering: www.sgs-engineering.com/tj3x-js-3-ton-trolley-jack-axle-stands