C-arm bushings

[adamdrives]

Hi, I haven't posted here much, but this seems like a good place to get constructive guidance with less of the usual forum BS. I recently "upgraded" to '93 aluminum control arms on my '98 glt, the primary reason being able to service balljoints independently of the arms themselves. I used a hydraulic press to push out the old bushings. After re-installing the control arms, I haven't been able to get the car to track straight even after a few re-alignments. No matter what, as I come to a stop the wheel pulls left. Today I did what I should have done in the first place: get under the car and check over what I changed.

I found that the passenger side arm had moved rearward on the bushings; I'm sure this is why the car pulls. When pressing out the old bushings I ran into some issues, I had to use a light coating of silicon on at least once bushing so that it wouldn't cock when I applied pressure from the press. Furthermore I couldn't find my proper diameter Volvo bearing press and in a pinch used a suitably sized socket which may have not been *quite* the correct diameter. In any event, all the old bushings came out, and I was able to press all the new ones in, but clearly there is an issue.

My first thought is that the not-perfect sized socket I used to press the old bushings out may have damaged the bores. The socket did move smoothly through the bores with little binding, but there was some aluminum material pressed out with each old bushing. That being said, the new bushings were still a tight fit, so it would seem that the bores must be close to spec. Still, it seems like a possible cause for my issue.

My second thought is that using any type of lubricant may have been a bad idea. Could it be allowing the arms to shift on the bushings under load? It does seem to be an area where there is a lot of force pushing the arm to the rear, especially under hard braking. I don't remember having to use silicon more than once or twice, which could explain why only one side has shifted. Would it be appropriate to use loctite on the bushings outer bore, if I re-do the arms?

To be honest I've only owned newer (800s) volvos, and haven't had the need to ever press a bushing out. I've done it a few times in some other applications, but this was definitely most challenging in terms of setting up the arm under the press so that it was at the right angle and secured. I'd like to get it resolved as I enjoy driving this car, and it's impossible to do so as-is.