Upper and Lower Control Arm Bushing Replacement

I have to replace the upper and lower control arm bushings on my 1998 Toyota Tacoma sr5 v6 4x4. I bought and replaced the LCA's about six months ago and the bushings have already gone bad. This is why you do not buy chinese parts. For the upper control arm bushings I am going with the Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings and I will reuse the outer metal shell that is on the existing bushing. For the lowers, I am going with the whiteline bushings and will completely press them out with a bottlejack.


To start: I had the LCAs off of the truck already, so I went to harbor freight and bought a bottlejack for $15. I combined that with a 35mm socket and preloaded the jack. I then tapped the lca with a hammer until the bushing popped out.

Next, I sanded the inside of the hole where the bushing goes and then proceeded to press the new whiteline bushings in with a ball joint press.

For the UCA bushings, I removed the UCAs from the truck and used a ball joint press and a torch to press out the old bushings.


Im about halfway done. I will update when I do more

 

Yep, Whitelines are a popular choice used by many here (myself included).

I chose to go with Prothane Super Grease in lieu of the stuff provided by Whiteline; much better.

 

I heard on here that the whiteline grease is garbage, so I ended up buying SuperLube for the lcas. Hopefully it wont squeak. Im wondering if anyone has had trouble with reusing the old uca bolt?

 

I used the old LCA bolts with no issue; just depends on the condition of your truck, bolts, etc.

I use Superlube on items that aren't as exposed seeing as how it's not as sticky as Super Grease is.

 

It does sure seem nice to live in a dry climate I could never endure the heat .

The first time I tried to push a bushing out of a control arm I just spread the control before the bushing even moved.

I reuse the Cam Bolts that I don`t need to burn out. I always have New Cam bolts before I start.

I am glad things worked so well in your case.

 

I pressed on a set of unknown origin bushings onto my LCAs and that lasted about 4 months. So much for "saving" money here and spending it somewhere else. I ended up picking up a set of Dorman LCAs and no complaints. Torching old bushings and pressing the shell out works like a charm!!

 

a vice if used like a press works pretty good so you arent putting pressure on the arms.

 

Using the Vice I broke the Vice .

Using The Press I just started to crush the Control Arm.

Anymore I will buy After Market Arms with the Bushings unless the owner is willing to spend the labor to burn out the bushings

 

woah, theyre super stuck then

 

Rust my friend

 

yeah thats no fun. get some rusty trucks in the shop every now and then, and mind you its fairly light rust compared to whats out there, and it blows.

 

Well I went to remove the bolt that mounts my Bilstein 5100s to my old LCA. Turn the bolt and the sleeve went with it basically ripping my bushing in half if you will. Im guessing I have to cut the bolt or lca. Anyone know if the Bilstein 5100 eyelet bushings are serviceable or where to get them?