How did you guys do your control arm bushings? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1980c-10 mybaby · 05-07-2010, 10:25 PM

So i bought the whole energy suspension bushing kit for my truck and im wondering how you guys did your lower control arms i work at a toyota dealership and our push cant handle the lower control arm bushings the uppers it will handle no problem...... did you guys do them your self or did you take them somewhere to get done..... my father recommended a truck shop might be able to do them...... any help would be nice

454HO · 05-08-2010, 01:46 AM

I use a propane torch to heat the outer metal shell of the bushing. There is no reason to catch the rubber on fire unless you just enjoy the smell of burning rubber. Continue heating until you see the rubber start to swell and melt a bit. What you are trying to accomplish is breaking the bond of the rubber to the metal sleeve. Once the bond is broken, the rubber bushing will pop out with a push from a piece of pipe or a stick of wood.

Some bushing require you use the original sleeve. Other bushing come with a new sleeve, so you have to remove the originals. What I do to remove the sleeve is cut them lengthwise from the inside. Make sure you do not cut into the control arm though. Then use a hammer and drift to crush the sleeve inward at the cut line. They usually come right out.

harnalien · 05-08-2010, 02:26 AM

I took my uppers and lowers off myself then took them to a shop. I had my ball joints done at the same time. Cost me a hundred bucks, but I don't have any air tools. Air tools would be handy in getting the old bushings out as well as the ball joints. It was tough enough getting the lowers off with hand tools!

baclay9 · 05-08-2010, 06:34 AM

Where did you get your kit from?

1980c-10 mybaby · 05-08-2010, 05:34 PM

i honestly just searched for the energy suspension web site in google and got a part number and ordered from them summit has the same kit for a little bit cheaper if i remember right....

Here is there website.... http://www.energysuspension.com/
you will have to click on the little book on the left side that shows application search.... scroll down get the part number and copy and paste that back into the search bar in google and it will take you straight to the page to buy the item from on the website...... easiest way to do it..... sounds complicated i can tell ya its not

05-07-2010, 10:25 PM	#1
1980c-10 mybaby Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: charlotte nc Posts: 302	How did you guys do your control arm bushings? So i bought the whole energy suspension bushing kit for my truck and im wondering how you guys did your lower control arms i work at a toyota dealership and our push cant handle the lower control arm bushings the uppers it will handle no problem...... did you guys do them your self or did you take them somewhere to get done..... my father recommended a truck shop might be able to do them...... any help would be nice

05-08-2010, 01:46 AM	#2
454HO Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,223	Re: How did you guys do your control arm bushings? I use a propane torch to heat the outer metal shell of the bushing. There is no reason to catch the rubber on fire unless you just enjoy the smell of burning rubber. Continue heating until you see the rubber start to swell and melt a bit. What you are trying to accomplish is breaking the bond of the rubber to the metal sleeve. Once the bond is broken, the rubber bushing will pop out with a push from a piece of pipe or a stick of wood. Some bushing require you use the original sleeve. Other bushing come with a new sleeve, so you have to remove the originals. What I do to remove the sleeve is cut them lengthwise from the inside. Make sure you do not cut into the control arm though. Then use a hammer and drift to crush the sleeve inward at the cut line. They usually come right out. __________________ - Greg

05-08-2010, 02:26 AM	#3
harnalien TruckincrazY Join Date: May 2004 Location: Haslet, TX Posts: 493	Re: How did you guys do your control arm bushings? I took my uppers and lowers off myself then took them to a shop. I had my ball joints done at the same time. Cost me a hundred bucks, but I don't have any air tools. Air tools would be handy in getting the old bushings out as well as the ball joints. It was tough enough getting the lowers off with hand tools!

05-08-2010, 06:34 AM	#4
baclay9 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 1,344	Re: How did you guys do your control arm bushings? Where did you get your kit from?

05-08-2010, 05:34 PM	#5
1980c-10 mybaby Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: charlotte nc Posts: 302	Re: How did you guys do your control arm bushings? i honestly just searched for the energy suspension web site in google and got a part number and ordered from them summit has the same kit for a little bit cheaper if i remember right.... Here is there website.... http://www.energysuspension.com/ you will have to click on the little book on the left side that shows application search.... scroll down get the part number and copy and paste that back into the search bar in google and it will take you straight to the page to buy the item from on the website...... easiest way to do it..... sounds complicated i can tell ya its not



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