upper and lower control arms

[tommym]

I am going to replace the bushings in the upper and lower control arms and wonderd if any one has done this and so what is the easiest way and what all do I need to know. I am replaceing polyurathane bushings.

[frog210]

Just take them too a shop
thats what i did
i would recommend that
so that way you dont have to mess with anything

[raceman6135]

Originally Posted by tommym

what is the easiest way

Take it to a shop and have them do it.

Depending on how rusted, worn and damaged they are, control arm bushings can be very easy or very difficult to remove.

They need to be pressed out, using either a large, special C-clamp with the proper bushings, or on an arbor press.

Some care must be taken to not distort the control arm during the removal and reinstallation of the bushings.

It can be done at home, for sure ... guys do it every day. If you're doing them at home, take the necessary precautions before removing the control arms (remember that the coil spring is storing a lot of energy), use the proper tool to separate the ball joint from the spindle and the outer tie rod from the spindle, make note of how many shims are used on the upper cross shaft, and make sure to properly torque all nuts and bolts when you reassemble, using brand new cotter pins.

After you have all the new pieces installed, you'll need to get an alignment done.

Here's the sort of C-clamp kit required to change bushings and ball joints:

[frog210]

I think it came out to 140 or 160 at the shop for me
but i had them replace my control arm bushings and my ball joints and grease the front end
just take it and get it done in like 4-5 hours

[INSIDIOUS '86]

The uppers are easy and can be done at home the lowers are usually harder and should be done at a shop it cost me 130 to have my lowers and ball joints pressed at carquest. I did the uppers completely myself