I bought an adjustable front lower suspension arm and I am trying to fit it on to the bent looking rod to mount to the subframe. I got the old bushing off fine and cleaned all the old mess off, but I can't get the new unit to slide on. The new bushing that came with the control arm has a metal insert with a hole that is too small for the mount bolt to slide through. It looks like if the metal insert wasn't there it would be the perfect size.

The old bushing didn't have a metal sleeve on it when I took it off. I tried to look at the new one to see if the sleeve was removable, but it is permanently in there.

I hope that made sense. Tell me if I am just blind and don't see what is obvious here.

 

I'd bet the inner metal sleeve from the old bushing is still rusted onto the "bent" pin. That's why the new bushing won't fit over the pin and why the old bushing didn't seem to have a sleeve in it. Try penetrating oil, heat, and a vice and vice grips.
Been there...
Tim

 

as above and you will need a G-cramp to aid reinstalling them.......

 

See thats what I was thinking but looking at it closely, it doesn't seem that is the case. I will hit it with a wire wheels tomorrow and look at it even closer. A nice soak in PB should reveal that tomorrow. I'll report back.

 

I took it to the wire wheel a little better today and you could just barely see that the sleeve was still on there. I grinded on the side until just about through to the bolt and used some channel locks to break it free. Amazing what 35 years of wear can do huh?!