intimidated by control arm bushings

[camarors8992]

I'm decent when it comes to working on my Jeep. I've replaced a 4.0, leaf springs, transfer case, and i do all of the work on it, but I'm intimidated by these bushings and they need to be replace. I've had a shake that feels like the ENTIRE front end moving around under the jeep and it's been narrowed down to the bushings ( only parts to not have been replaced ). Any tips ? Am i better off paying a shop ? I have some friends who might do it for $100 + parts or so, but $100 is 10 hours of my time at work and I'd rather not Just give it away if i don't have to. I have access to a torch, lift, air compressor and air tools.

 

[bluejeepkid]

do it yourself, their easy, the bushings just press in and press out

 

[camarors8992]

Sure, when everything is new. It's 10 years old and has 111k miles on it. : I don't think they'll come out that easy. Also I'd be worried about distorting the cheap looking control arms if the bushings do fight.

 

[Bugboy]

They are stronger then you think. if you dont want to fo it yourself just take the control arm to a spring shop or most garages and have them press in the new ones. i think they average about 5-10 per bushing.

 

[cherokee chuck]

If you are concerned about doing the bushings yourself, just buy new control arms from Quadratec or 4WD parts. They are cheaper than the cost of having new bushings pressed in. New lcas[Crown Automotive] are only a couple of dollars more than one bushing from Mopar. The control arms always bend when you press the bushings out, you just bend them back. Use a ball joint press or a home made press made from exhaust pipe, washers & threaded rod to remove the uca bushings from the axle housing. If you use a duckbill attachment on a portapower to spread the control arms & passenger side mount on the axle[non disco only] it will break one side of the bushing loose. If you get lucky sometimes after doing this the bushings will fall out. The bushings on the axles get neglected because the are such a pita, but they are critical so replace them.

 

[Saudade]

If your CAs are stock, I recommend the Quadratech (or 4wd) approach. The CAs are not that expensive, come with the bushings (except the uppers on the axle side) and saves you the trouble of pounding the old ones out (or expense of a shop).

If you do it yourself, make sure you have the front blocked up securely. The bolts can get pretty corroded in the bushings and may take some effort breaking loose. Make sure you use lot's of penetrating oil.

 

[TJ Rat]

In my experience, changing the bushings is NOT easy, especially on a Jeep that has been around the block a few times. Yes it can be done but it is not 'easy'. We just did my sons 1989 XJ with 240,000 miles on the clock. I had a shop call me and say sorry, they can not do it after all. I then soaked the control arms with penetrating oil (both Kroil and PB Blaster) for two weeks. I then put two sockets, which were real close to the control arm, inside the sheet metal to keep the control arms from collapsing. This finally got them out.
For the axle control arms here is a link http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=360764


My advice, buy new control arms as stated above. Everything is new. If you are hell bent on tackling the job, buy a set of used arms, replace the bushings in those, then put those arms on your Jeep. Total down time will then be held to a minimum.

 

[cherokee chuck]

If you are hell bent on tackling the job, buy a set of used arms, replace the bushings in those, then put those arms on your Jeep. Total down time will then be held to a minimum.

2x, that is the way I did it & it still cost $12 for bushings for each lca, hardly worth it when you can buy new ones for less than $10 more each.

 

[buster cherry]

i don't know if this will help you, but i just replaced mine. took the control arm off used a propane torch and burned the old ones out:scared:. once they get hot enuff they pop out, had to push couple out though. let them cool put new ones in. i used the energy suspension ones.

 

[rockjockphatts]

the bushings are not that difficult to press out. The right tool will make the job so much easier. Go rent a ball joint press from your local auto parts shop, the big c-clamp with all the black tube adapters. I also cut and used small pieces of wood and wedged them into the steel on the control arm thus preventing it from bending. You can't prevent all distortion but overall it's not too bad. That being said, I made the mistake of replacing my uppers with moog thermoplastic and my lowers with the bushings already mounted in the arms from q'tec. So my uppers are poly like bushings and my lowers are rubber, drives real screwy, so I'm replacing the lowers with the moog bushings as well (mainly because the uppers were so much of a PITA). Moving to the point...I've got a set of LCAs with bushings, slightly used (Less than a year of use in MN-no winters), with a little surface rust on the bushing sleeve that I could sell ya. The zip is 55369 if you want to calc shipping.

Just a thought, but don't be intimidated by the bushings, just use the right tool, remember that when using a press, don't rely solely on the press-use a hammer to release the compressed energy-hit the arm in a spot that won't cause deformation but will be close enough to the bushing that the compressed force from the clamp will 'bust' loose the bushing--repeat. GOOD LUCK

 

[rufus_1111]

how would you go about taking the upper CA bushings out tof the axel?

 

[cherokee chuck]

I've used a c-clamp & a couple of big 1/2" drive sockets, but a ball joint press works best. I have a spare D30 I learned on before doing one in a rig. I've done three now, so it's not too bad. Learn how to do it & all your buddies with coil spring Jeeps will owe you. Hardly anyone ever seems to replace them unless they're falling out.

 

[camarors8992]

Well I'm getting a shake in the jeep at about 50-60 and the shake feels like the entire front end moving around. Everything else has been replaced, and upon visual inspection 2/4 bushings on the axle side are separated from the metal sleeve. I think im just going to buy new from quadratec, seems to be the easiest solution.

 

[rockjockphatts]

it is easier, the uppers require patience, but that's all

let me know if you want my lower arms--they're 7 months old $20+ship from 55369

 

[Ironpirate]

A torch is your friend when removing the old bushings. The most difficulty I had was getting the bolt holes lined up an the axle side of the upperswhen putting everything back together. It was a major PITA.

 

[91XJRubicXD]

In my experience, changing the bushings is NOT easy, especially on a Jeep that has been around the block a few times. Yes it can be done but it is not 'easy'. We just did my sons 1989 XJ with 240,000 miles on the clock. I had a shop call me and say sorry, they can not do it after all. I then soaked the control arms with penetrating oil (both Kroil and PB Blaster) for two weeks. I then put two sockets, which were real close to the control arm, inside the sheet metal to keep the control arms from collapsing. This finally got them out.
For the axle control arms here is a link http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=360764


My advice, buy new control arms as stated above. Everything is new. If you are hell bent on tackling the job, buy a set of used arms, replace the bushings in those, then put those arms on your Jeep. Total down time will then be held to a minimum.

:gee: Thank you TJ Rat !!! The link you provided answered my question. I was going to ask how to remove the upper bushing that is pressed into the axle housing. The link provided by you leads to a very simple device you can make for pennies and will do a wonderful job. Using WD-40 a couple days prior won't hurt either. Happy wrenching.