DIY Replace Control Arm Bushings

evanstewy
Club4AG Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:46 pm
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Contact:

DIY Replace Control Arm Bushings

Postby evanstewy » Tue Mar 19, 2013 7:07 pm

Just thought I would create a DIY on how to replace the control arm bushings without having to use a
large press or trying to burn them out.

The tool need for this job is the ball joint service kit. You can get this kit either from Harbor
Freight (Item#4065) or some auto parts places let you rent specialty tools.

*Note: I did use 3M silicone grease instead of the provided poly grease. I've heard really good things about the 3M silicone grease and I have not heard one squeak from my car after installing the new bushings.

1. Use tongue and groove pliers to rip the edges of the bushing off the lower control arms.

Image
Image

This is what the bushing should look like once complete.
Image

2. Place the receiving cup into the ball joint press with the control arm, bushing ripped side, into the receiving cup. Then tighten the jack-screw until everything is held in place.

Image
Image

Remember to keep your jack screw oiled so it tightens down smoothly.

Image

3. Now you can use a rachet with a 22mm socket to tighten the jack-screw.

Image

Be careful when you are getting to the end of pressing the bushing out. Make sure the metal piece inside is coming out straight and is not being pressed into the end of the receiving cup. I just used a pin punch to keep it from hitting the inside of the receiver cup.

Image

This picture shows how the metal piece on the inside was not coming out straight.
Image

4. Now you can grab the new poly bushings and press in the two sides by hand.

Image

You can start the metal sleeve by hand and use the press to push it in the rest of the way.

Image
Image

5. For the upper control arms I notice that you did not have to rip the edges of the bushings. You can just press them out with the receiving cup.

Image

6. For the stabilizer bar I just pressed out one of the old medal sleeves so I could use it to press out the stabilizer bar ends. Remember to first remove the metal sleeve before you start pressing out the bushing.

Image

Image

Image

Here is the setup I used to press the new bushings into the stabilizer ends.

Image

I did try to replace the bushings on the lateral rod but it was too hard and cumbersome. :evil: I was able to get one side in with the U shaped bushing but I did not take any pictures. I basically just kept working at it until it went in.

I will be doing the front control arms in the next few weeks and will update this DIY once complete.

Hope this DIY helps you guys out. :D

John H.
Club4AG Expert
Posts: 492
Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:40 am
Location: SoCal

Re: DIY Replace Control Arm Bushings

Postby John H. » Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:47 pm

F yeah, these are the kind of DIYs I miss from the old form!
Thank you! :D

User avatar
carbd7age
Club4AG Pro
Posts: 803
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:56 am
Location: Chattanooga, TN

Re: DIY Replace Control Arm Bushings

Postby carbd7age » Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:53 am

For the rear sway bar ends, I used a pitman puller. It fits the front tie rod ends in the steering knuckles, so you need one anyways. With some creativity you might be able to use it for other stuff, too.
Image
Eric'sFreeAE86 from the old site
Knockoff Crew member #0001

evanstewy
Club4AG Regular
Posts: 24
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 10:46 pm
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Contact:

Re: DIY Replace Control Arm Bushings

Postby evanstewy » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:10 am

Thanks for the tip. I saw a lot of bad reviews about how brittle the pitman puller was. Did you have any issues with it?

User avatar
carbd7age
Club4AG Pro
Posts: 803
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 5:56 am
Location: Chattanooga, TN

Re: DIY Replace Control Arm Bushings

Postby carbd7age » Thu Mar 21, 2013 8:15 pm

None. I've used it on my Corolla a dozen times, it fits the tie rod ends on my Camry, too. I think mine is OEM brand from Pep Boys. I've never doubted its integrity.
Eric'sFreeAE86 from the old site
Knockoff Crew member #0001

User avatar
Spoold86
Club4AG Enthusiast
Posts: 131
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2013 3:40 am
Location: Wilsonville OR
Contact:

Re: DIY Replace Control Arm Bushings

Postby Spoold86 » Sat Mar 23, 2013 1:25 pm

I used a MAP torch ;)

Image