Advice please

2002 4x4.180000. Complete OEM New bilsteins all around. OEM New LBJs, Toyota OEM timing Belt complete kit.
This creaky sound( imagine opening an old door) out of the FR right became a horrendous Metal on metal grinding.
I believe it’s bushings on upper and lower CAs and possibly bushings on power steering. My question is, I don’t have the tools/equipment to push out the bushings. Should I just purchase new ones?

 

The bushings can be pushed out with a simple bottle jack (your truck originally came with one). And the new bushings can be pushed in easily with a little jig made of two opposing sockets on a 1/2" threaded rod.

 

Be absolutely sure that's what it is first. You don't mention if the creak is all the time driving straight on the highway, over bumps, or only when turning, this might help you figure out the problem.

For most DIY mechanics any suspension work, especially up front, is a huge undertaking requiring impact wrenches, pitman and TRE pullers, a BAH, torque wrench capable of 140 FT/LBS or more, two SOLID jackstands (don't skimp on this one,) multiple cans of PB blaster, and a full vocabulary of expletives - get extra ones of those, you'll use them all. Expect it to take three times what you'd think.

I went with OEM lower control arms to avoid dealing with bushings, I don't have a press and figured it would add 6 hours to the project. As it turned out, the nut inside the LCA's for the bump stops was spinning free, had to cut a hole in the back to get the bump stops out. Getting it all apart is the most difficult part.

Rack bushings is a not too expensive fix, if you need it. You'll have to remove the sway bar to get room to work, move the rack rearward to get the main bushing in. Look at this vid of my test at about 0:30 or so - engine off, under the truck, have someone crank the wheel left and right. If you see more than 1/8" movement of the rack inside the bushings, yes, change them out. I went with ES bushings, be sure to get the ES grease because poly is notorious for squeaks (no need for this with OEM/rubber bushings.) You can use a quality silicone alternative, do not use petroleum based grease.

Don't remove the lines or rag joint if you can help it, both of those can be another can of worms.

Another cheap place to look is the lower coilover bushings, but if you've put new Bilsteins in this won't be the problem (came with new bushings, right?)

 

LCA are a nightmare beacuse the metal adjusting sleeve will seize and you'll get to cut them out with a sawzall. Getting bushings in and out isn't too bad if you get polyurethane. Take a torch and melt the rubber out of the bushing then take a sawzall and cut a slit in the outer metal bushing race and it'll tap right out. You can use a table vice as a mini press to get the new bushings in.

 

Th

 

Thank you. Your advice is well appreciated.

 

Thank you.