Me and and buddy had a control arm bushing party this weekend. I have a 2000 XJ, he has a 97 XJ.
On the recommendations of a buddy, I went to a muffler shop with upper and lower bushings in hand, and had him expand a 12" piece of pipe that just fit over the bushings at each end. To remove the bushings, I set the piece of pipe on the ground and put the control arm over the section of pipe the just fit over the bushing and used a hammer to knock the bushings out. It worked well and did not bend the control arms. I used Moog bushings with the outer sleeve included.
However; my buddy bought the Prothane total kit that does not include the outer sleeves. At first I thought it was cheesy, however; in the end it was much easier to install. What we found was easiest with this kit was to drill holes in the rubber, until we could push the bolt sleeve out and then use a screw driver to push the remaining rubber out. Then simply grease and install bushing and bolt sleeve. Much easier in the end as you dont have to remove outer sleeve and re-seat.
The only place we had difficulty was with the upper control arm bushing that is on the axle....any tips here would be appreciated!
I also got driver's side upper and lower ball joints replaced on my XJ and they lived up to their reputation. Prison rape pretty much describes how I feel after that debacle. Still have passenger side to go...ran out of weekend.
EDIT: For two weeks prior to this, I soaked everything I was changing in CorrosionX and it seemed to help in the disassembly process. CorrosionX is amazing stuff and is available at Academy.
On the recommendations of a buddy, I went to a muffler shop with upper and lower bushings in hand, and had him expand a 12" piece of pipe that just fit over the bushings at each end. To remove the bushings, I set the piece of pipe on the ground and put the control arm over the section of pipe the just fit over the bushing and used a hammer to knock the bushings out. It worked well and did not bend the control arms. I used Moog bushings with the outer sleeve included.
However; my buddy bought the Prothane total kit that does not include the outer sleeves. At first I thought it was cheesy, however; in the end it was much easier to install. What we found was easiest with this kit was to drill holes in the rubber, until we could push the bolt sleeve out and then use a screw driver to push the remaining rubber out. Then simply grease and install bushing and bolt sleeve. Much easier in the end as you dont have to remove outer sleeve and re-seat.
The only place we had difficulty was with the upper control arm bushing that is on the axle....any tips here would be appreciated!
I also got driver's side upper and lower ball joints replaced on my XJ and they lived up to their reputation. Prison rape pretty much describes how I feel after that debacle. Still have passenger side to go...ran out of weekend.
EDIT: For two weeks prior to this, I soaked everything I was changing in CorrosionX and it seemed to help in the disassembly process. CorrosionX is amazing stuff and is available at Academy.
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