I am finally getting around to re-doing my front lower control arms after the problems documented here:
Problems After Front Suspension Work - Need Some HELP!
I ended up ordering these bushings after some suggestions in that thread:
Whiteline Suspension Parts - Part Number W53377 - Front Lower Control Arm Bushings - Inner
Well - I got the parts in and picked up a set of LCAs from a junk yard for a few bucks. I used one of the surviving old LCAs as a test subject for the bushing removal to make sure I knew what I was doing before tearing up any new stuff.
First, I used the jack method to press each side out, but I noticed immediately that the large inner washed would not fit through the LCA. On one side the washer popped off before I knew it was causing a problem. On the other side, I could not get the washer off and was forced to cut it off. Hopefully this was not a bad move.
Once I got those off, the bushing came out super easy by heating the arm around the bushing as described in several posts here in T4R.
What I found though was that there is an additional metal sleeve between the arm and the bushing. This is what was preventing the washer from coming out with the bushing. As you can see, the sleeve is pretty well destroyed in my old arm thanks to Boston winters. I gave it some pounding and heated it up to no avail. It is not coming out. Luckily I have this old arm to figure this out with.
New stuff:
So, my question becomes - how do you get that sleeve out?? My new bushings have inner and outer sleeves that need to go in.
I have checked the electronic FSM that I have and have only been able to find instructions for the rear arms. No information on the fronts at all.
I know a few people have used these bushings. Anyone care to share the secret to this part of the job?
Thanks for the help!
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2005 GX470
3.4l A340 Automatic to R150F Manual Transmission Swap
http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159482