FINALLY, a chance to install something! To review, I'm updating the front lower control arms in my S4s to those used in '98 and later V8s. You'll need the following parts:

First we have to press the bushings and balljoints into the control arms. Here is how you do it:

1. Drop bushings and control arms off at machine shop.
2. Pick them up.

But why should I take my own advice? Afterall, the hydraulic press is only $75 delivered from our friends at Harbor Freight.

It didn't occur to me that I don't actually own anything to press with. You need something approximately the size of each bushing you're going to press. For those of us without access to random metal tubing, that means buying Really Big Sockets. I ended up with the following (keep in mind that I will NEVER, EVER use these again unless another Esprit owner wants bushings pressed in):

1. 30mm 12 point Craftsman socket (I actually owned this one).
2. 28mm 12 point Husky socket from Home Depot.
3. 1 5/16" Craftsman socket.
4. 1 5/8" Craftsman socket.

Of course it isn't even that easy. I had to modify the 1 5/8" socket to press in the balljoint. And you have circlip pliers, right? Yep, we're having fun now.

 Before you get started, you'll want to trim the larger inner bushing slightly. It's just a bit too large. Just knock a little bit off one end with your bench grinder until it fits nicely.

So it's a complete waste of time and money, but pressing in the bushings is satisfying in a Tim Allen "rrrrr rrrr rrrr" way. Tons of force at your command. Just be sure you have everything lined up before you go nuts!

If you take a close look at the original arms, you'll probably see that the inner bushing isn't pressed in evenly. The bushing sleeve is pressed a little past flush with the back of the control arm and sticks out a little at the front. The side you just trimmed should be on the back side. Since my press is not very large, I have to press from the back to the front. The 28mm Husky socket fits the bushing nearly perfectly. Even better would probably be a 27mm 12 pt socket with the inner points machined off but I couldn't quite justify a milling machine for my control arm upgrade. ("Honey, you'll have to move the car when the guys get here with the CNC machine.").

Next comes the antiroll bar bushing. This one is much easier to install. I bring you two tips: buy new circlips and install the front one before you start pressing. I don't know what I was thinking ("hey look, I saved $10!") because it is a PITA to remove the old circlip from the front of the arm. Just order new ones.

The antiroll bushing is a two step process. Go as far as you can with the 1 5/16" socket, then finish up with the 30mm. You don't want to try to start with the smaller socket because it's only pushing on the rubber part of the bushing.