I'm trying to replace my upper control arm bushings with new factory bushings but I have no idea how to get them out. I have a press but there isn't anything on the one side to push against as the metal part of the bushings g is larger than the arm. I don't want to burn them out as I need the whole thing out. The only thing I can think of is to get a length of threaded rod with its and washers and put them on the inside so when you tighten the nuts it pushes out pushing the bushings out. Hopefully not bending the arms.
Upper control arm bushings replacement
- Thread starter freshley
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
mtbtim
Elite Member
Check out this guy's video. His first video shows the removal of the upper control arm and the second shows the removal of the bushing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeq8V4p4xNM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKzXIxt_HDk#t=27.152384898
That would work if I were replacing with poly bushings as he doesn't remove the outer steel sleeve. All the videos I've found seem to do the same thing where they burn out the middle but leave the sleeve. That doesn't help. Someone must know how to do this! I don't want to take it to the stealership.
Ruiner
New member
i think they usually cut the sleeve inside with a sawzall or dremel. To take out my lower control arm bushings i used the stock jack and jacked against the opposing side bushing area and it popped out pretty easy, sleeve and all.
kquon
New member
What I did was cut off the lips of the bushings (inboard side) with a hacksaw all the way around. I then placed the arms sideways on my press and put a socket (whose outside diameter is just smaller than the OD of the bushing) on top of whichever bushing is on the bottom. Then I slid a 3/8 extension about 10" long through the upper bushing and pressed on that- effectively pushing the lower bushing out. Flip the arm over and repeat. You will obviously have to configure your arbor plates to support the arm while allowing the bushing to slide out from the bottom.
808islerunner
New member
You can burn out the rubber then to remove the sleeves you can use an air hammer with a chisel bit to remove the shell, or use a sawzall to cut a groove in the shell then use a heavy hammer and chisel and smash the shell inwards to remove it.
A.Wilson013
New member
If you decide to use the factory jack to press it out, I'd try to use a big ratchet strap or something to try and keep it from putting TOO much stress on the UCA itself. I used this method on my LCA and I had a hell of a time trying to get it to fit back into it's brackets when I went to re-install it. I don't know if it bent, but it fell out on disassembly, and took a LOT of "massaging" to get it back in.
Also, make sure you "aim" the bushing away from anyone/thing you don't want to hurt. Mine SHOT out of the arm and nailed [MENTION=82154]GSPRunner[/MENTION] pretty good. Had it hit his face I don't think we would have been laughing about it.
Also, make sure you "aim" the bushing away from anyone/thing you don't want to hurt. Mine SHOT out of the arm and nailed [MENTION=82154]GSPRunner[/MENTION] pretty good. Had it hit his face I don't think we would have been laughing about it.
my latest attempt was using a 1/2" threaded rod with a bunch of different sized washers and two nuts. I had the rod running through both bushings with a large washer and nut on the side I was pushing against and a couple smaller washers the same diameter as the bushing and a nut trying to push it out. Rod was bending but it wouldn't budge. I sprayed it kroil and left it under pressure for two days but still no dice.
I really don't want to cut it out as I'm afraid I will damage the arm itself or at least weaken it by cutting too deep. I may try the bottle jack next.
I really don't want to cut it out as I'm afraid I will damage the arm itself or at least weaken it by cutting too deep. I may try the bottle jack next.
stir_fry_boy
New member
The secret to getting the bushings out is tons of heat. Use 2 torches and heat them up until the rubber separates from the inner sleeve. Then use a jam nut and washers to push the bushing out from the inside. What you explained above is how I did mine, except I pushed the bushing toward the center of the UCA. I used an air impact and went full blast heating it up if the impact started to slow down.
You can also use a ball joint press with appropriate adapters.
You can also use a ball joint press with appropriate adapters.
Last edited:
JRZEE2000TR4LTD
Senior Member
When I did my LCAs I used a very large punch and a 3 lb sledge Put the arm in a vice. Hit the edge of the sleeve on the side without the shoulder and just kept hitting it inward, as a previous poster said. Once you get a side of it curled in pretty good, you can start working around the bushing. You'll eventually be able to knock it out. It took me about 10 minutes a bushing and mine were rusted like crazy
