How much do I fix before my trip?

[kabish]

My truck group and I are leaving Seattle for Kanab, UT on May 14th and returning May 22nd. Did a similar trip to Moab last year. I have a few things to fix before and/or after the trip. Bad bushings just verified by a reputable shop.

1. Replace the knock sensors and wiring. (Requires tearing apart the top half of the engine)
2. Replace the LCA bushings (gonna be a long day, I know)
3. Replace the rear control arm bushings (easily accessible)

I threw my back out last week and can finally move freely again but I lost a whole week to prepare. Now I'm freaking out about how little time I have before the trip.

I typically do all my own wrenching. I HATE paying for labor. Plus, I enjoy it after staring at a computer all day.

The faulty knock sensors reduce my gas mileage by retarding the engine and gas is gonna be a factor for this trip already. I'll need to buy a 20 ton press to remove the old bushings, which I'm all about buying cool tools.

So am I risking catastrophic failure off-roading with bad bushings? I can hear random knocks. I just replaced the LBJs (OEM!!!) to avoid catastrophic failure. I have 2 weekends to do this.

Thank you all in advance!

 

[Brian.]

1. Replace the knock sensors and wiring. (Requires tearing apart the top half of the engine)
2. Replace the LCA bushings (gonna be a long day, I know)
3. Replace the rear control arm bushings (easily accessible)

I know nothing about #1... but you don't NEED a 20 ton press to do the bushings (I bought the cheaper 12 ton, which did the job and many others have done the front LCA with the oem bottle jack), you can always pull the control arms and pay a shop just to do the press-work. Or tackle it in one of the non-press methods (burning or cutting out).

But having gone from totally worn bushings to new, I don't think you're looking at any kind of catastrophic, can't move the vehicle, type failures there. It's more of a safety (vehicle control degrades) thing, especially at speed.

Regardless, sounds like with 2 weekends, you have plenty of time to do that work. If you skip anything, I'd think the rear control arms are lowest priority (and those were more of a PITA than the front LCA's on mine). You also need to factor in an alignment if you do the LCAs as you'll be messing with the settings... which might add even more of a time crunch.


Good luck

 

[Bad Luck]

I would be more concerned with the knock sensor and harness replacement than the bushings ASSUMING you don't have enough play in the bushings to cause sketchy driving problems.

 

[Toya!]

I would be more concerned with the knock sensor and harness replacement than the bushings ASSUMING you don't have enough play in the bushings to cause sketchy driving problems.

I agree with this. If you bushings are solid enough where you aren't putting yourself or anyone else in danger then focus on the knock sensor

 

[Grgg1978]

If your group is as good as some of them here in Vegas, ask for help. There are people willing to lend a hand, tool, time and advice locally.

Only advice I have is you can press the lower control arm bushings with your jack. One of my group members helped me out with that.


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[octanejunkie]

If your group is as good as some of them here in Vegas, ask for help. There are people willing to lend a hand, tool, time and advice locally.

Only advice I have is you can press the lower control arm bushings with your jack. One of my group members helped me out with that.


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This is exactly how Timmy shows doing it in his video, and how I've done it myself twice. You'll need heat, too, like a propane torch to heat the arm cup so you don't bend the arm with the bottle jack.

I would also recommend reinstalling new bushings using 1/2" allthread, a receiving cup, a large socket, and a bunch of grease instead of pressing or hammering them in

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