upper & lower control arm bushing
 

hello, i need to replace the upper and lower bushings on my 84 c10. has stock rubber now. was thinking poly graphite. do i need to have the old ones pressed out and the new ones pressed in by a shop? or can you do this at home? any help would be great thanks.

Re: upper & lower control arm bushing
 

The best way is to air hammer the old bushings out so you don't damage the shafts. Then you can drum sand the control arm where you're going to press the new bushing into just to clean up the metal and stuff that has built up over the 25+ years the truck has been on the road. Then find a round object that fits the metal lip on the new bushing and hammer them in. If you need to drum sand a little of the control arm for the bushing that is okay but it should be a pretty tight fit, don't remove too much material. Good luck with your project

Re: upper & lower control arm bushing
 

Thank you for the help, will give it a try, nothing to lose.

Re: upper & lower control arm bushing
 

Check your new bushings & see what the instructions suggest (or ensure metal sleeves are included). I know for the rear truck-arms, the metal sleeve is left in place & re-used for the poly bushing.

Re: upper & lower control arm bushing
 

If you decide to try this at home, freeze the bushings before you install them. The cold shrinks them enough to help with the install. Personally I would pay to have them pressed in.

Re: upper & lower control arm bushing
 

good idea, too hot to do this much work, having local garage press new bushings in.

Re: upper & lower control arm bushing
 

There have been all kinds of jobs that I have done just to say that I did it. This is one that I quickly learned its well worth the few bucks spent to have a experienced mechanic use a press to properly push them in. One slip with a garage floor install and your on the phone ordering a new sleeve.