Front suspension dismantling pb

[roland]

I am in the midst of dismantling my front suspension and have run into a little snag. Before I start hammering it with a 10lb hammer i thought I would ask the board for advice. On the front suspension, lower wishbone, I cannot seem to easily remove the end caps (see pic). Is there a trick or do I just wedge a screw driver and hammer it out (and thus severely goudge it) ?

Also, I notice on my caster arm bushing does not have the spacers I see on most break down drawings .. Is that normal or did the last PO just not put them in ?
Many thanks

Roland

[Keven]

Roland,

I also had a hell of a time getting the caps off. I ended up using channel
lock pliers and twisting them off. This methos pretty much destroys the
cap. But you can get them for relatively cheap from many vendors.
Since you are in France give OKP a call for them.

Not sure on the washer, I dont recall having it as well.

[Farace]

Regarding the caps, if you don't mind them a bit scratched up, grab them just tightly enough to hold with a pair of Channel-locks and twist them back and forth. A bit of twisting and wiggling and they'll come loose. (A bit of driving and they'll be covered with grime again and you'll never see the scratches.)

[ossodiseppia]

There are/were two styles of that bushing. The original style had holes in it that the missing plastic pieces went into. The plastic pieces stiffened up the bushing a bit. The later style bushing is solid and doesn't require the use of the plastic piece.

The Frap replacement upper control arms come with the original style bushing. Most everybody I know, removes them and replaces them with the newer solid type bishing. The factory upper control arms don't come with a bushing.

If you want pictures, I'll be happy to take some and post them.

[ossodiseppia]

Here's the picture. When these things age, they are useless. They will crumble in your hands.