2004 aveo suspension problems

[airdoctor77]

i used the rod and washers to and a 4x4 piece of wood to install them. side by side they look almost the same.. there is a metal sleeve in the housing that has to be cut out. i used a sawzall. the hardest part about it was getting the new bushings lined up to go in straight, but it just took a little time. all in all if i had to buy a new axle or buy those from ebay i would get those from ebay. they look like they are stronger than the old ones.

I just ordered these bushings and plan on installing as soon as they arrive. Any detailed info you may have for making this job easier would be much appreciated. I was hoping to do this without removing the axle from the car. Just unbolting the front attachment points and cutting out and installing the new bushings with the axle still attached. Whaddya think?

[petrified.rabbit]

i could see it working that way, but your two bolts from dropping it to the floor, (hanging on brake lines and ebrakes)

[airdoctor77]

well...I was planning on putting a jack under the part of the axle that crosses over from one side to the other....and thereby control the amount of drop the axle experiences. It would also make it much easier to put it back in place also.

[petrified.rabbit]

i would probably go ahead and drop the back first to take out the springs.. then if you want to put the struts back in and hang just the front like you said you will be fine, but a pivoting strut and a spring loaded axle will not be easy to put back in.. almost easier to drop the whole thing onto jack stands (not over extending the lines) and then putting it back together. The axle itself is not that heavy.

[jasoncw75]

I just came across your post. Could you point me in the direction where you found the bushings for the aveo? I havent seen what they look like off the car and believe that I need to replace mine.
Thanks.

[thehunterooo]

Rear Axle Bushings Aveo Pontiac Wave | eBay

[petrified.rabbit]

thanks hunter. wasnt posting last week while i was in your neck of the us..

[thehunterooo]

ahh in Miami soaking up the sun? I have to earn my keep around here

[petrified.rabbit]

yeah, miami is fun this time of year.

[2005redaveo]

How did you do this? I bought the bushings but I must not understand the instructions on how to do the job without removing the axle. Did you just remove the pivot bolt that goes through the center of each bushing and then while supporting the rear beam with a jack, drop it enough to get the bushing out and a new one in? Or did you have to remove the bushing bracket bolts then drop the rear beam slightly, then remove the pivot bolt?