First post!

I have an 88 Fiero GT Fastback that I'm rebuilding the front suspension on. When I bought the car the sway bar rubber was completely gone and was making a heck of a squeal!

I'm doing one side at a time and I'm currently working on the passenger side. I have it fully disambled, and the rubber bushings/ball joints are out. I have one major problem. I have one inner bushing sleeve on the top arm that is rusted to the inner rod. Of course, that rod doesn't come out in the '88s, so I'm trying to work around that. I've been dousing it in penetrating oil for days now and have tried clamping it with vice grips, hitting the grips, or trying to twist it. No luck. so far. Any ideas that won't damage the arm or the out shell of the bushing (I'm going back with poly)? Heat?

I appreciate any ideas.

[This message has been edited by Craash (edited 11-29-2025).]

Welcome to the Forum and to me, the best feature is the "Search" button...

Perhaps these threads will help:

88 Front Upper Control Arm Bushing Removal
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...120111-2-108411.html

88 front control arm bushing replacement question
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...090219-2-083163.html

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Original Owner of a Silver '88 GT
Under 'Production Refurbishment' @ 136k Miles

Thanks! I considered widening the gap, but I was concerned about damaging the rod. There's a wealth of valuable information here, not to mention the links provided in each thread.

I appreciate it.

quote Originally posted by Vintage-Nut: Welcome to the Forum and to me, the best feature is the "Search" button... Perhaps these threads will help: 88 Front Upper Control Arm Bushing Removal https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...120111-2-108411.html 88 front control arm bushing replacement question https://www.fiero.nl/forum/...090219-2-083163.html

Welcome to the forum!

Burn out the rubber bushing to get it out the way. Now you can find the seam in the center sleeve and used a narrow chisel in the seam to pry the inner sleeve open and break it free.

It will help to have the upper a-arm cross shaft clamped in a vice.

Since you have an 88, you might be interested in some of my products: https://fieroguruperformance.com/

Thanks for the suggestion and the link! You have a lot of cool stuff!

quote Originally posted by fieroguru: Welcome to the forum! Burn out the rubber bushing to get it out the way. Now you can find the seam in the center sleeve and used a narrow chisel in the seam to pry the inner sleeve open and break it free. It will help to have the upper a-arm cross shaft clamped in a vice. Since you have an 88, you might be interested in some of my products: https://fieroguruperformance.com/