95’ control arm install

General question / tips.

I’ll be replacing both my upper control arms on my 2WD 5 lug 2.4 Tacoma. Seems like a pretty straight forward removal and install. Is there anything that I should be worried about when doing this repair ? Seems like I have plenty of space to work on both sides for removal. Any advice or tips will be welcomed

thank you.
I’ll be installing OEM/stock upper control arms as a whole unit. Nothing just replacing the bushings on the old one. Nothing crazy.

 

There’s a 5 lug section too. They might have some better insight
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/5-lug.114/

 

You're gonna need specific tools...

like spring compressors,,,,,and a bottle or scissor jack to raise the lower arm back into place when you reassemble




ball joint separator makes for fast work without damaging the rubber parts

$24 DASBET Macpherson Strut Spring Compressor Tool Kit 2PCS Coil Spring Compressor with Detent Pins Spring Compressor with 10.5in Range for Suspension Work

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$15 BELOMI Universal Ball Joint Separator, Adjustable Ball Joint Puller, Heavy Duty Removal Tool for Separating Arms, Tie Rods, and Ball Joints, Separator Tool for Cars Trucks and SUVs

Amazon.com: BELOMI Universal Ball Joint Separator, Adjustable Ball Joint Puller, Heavy Duty Removal Tool for Separating Arms, Tie Rods, and Ball Joints, Separator Tool for Cars Trucks and SUVs : Automotive



!!!!!!! make sure you grease the threads on the spring compressor each time you use it !!!!!!

 

You are going to likely have to cut the bolts out. I had to do it on a 2002 that just had a frame done semi recently. Get a good reciprocating saw and have lots of patience.

These two videos will help : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX62NFGJwZ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LUf3zdUvOs&t=290s

 

You're gonna have a tough time finding 5 lug vids on this...

but its pretty intuitive .....

vids on previous post is totally different.....5 lug is a complete different animal

On 6 lug those lower bolts have to be cut off half the time...
dont think thats so with most 5 lugs.....unless really rusted

For 5 lug its best to replace the whole arm with the bushing already installed
....I went with Napa ones....

I have floor press and cradle and could not safely get old bushings without damaging the arm
......it is a weird ass construction....two man job if you press in/out...crazy hard




I had to use spacer sleeves in order for compressor to maneuver around arms
and had to fiip one of them upside down...

 

DO the torsion strut bushings too while all a part
its attached to lower arm...

FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM STRUT ROD BUSHING FOR TOYOTA TACOMA 2WD 1995-1999 2PCS | eBay

these are pretty easy to press in/out .....

 

O silver taco

yeah I was going to install only the upper control arm as a new unit. It didn’t look like I needed to compress the spring on mine since it was a 5 lugger but I’ll double look.
Mine seem pretty straight forward and yes there isn’t any videos on mine from what I seen.


I’ll attach some pictures later today to give a specific look at my layout, maybe I’m missing something

 

6 lug you dont need a spring compressor....because strut cartridge is all one unit
bolts in...bolts out

however on 5 lug the spring/shock is captured on the lower arm


like I said I actually bought the lower bushings and could not press in/out

because of the funky shape of the arm.......and that with a $100 cradle I have too




probably only way is block of wood, a friend, and beat the old one out using socket and brute force..

 

After doing all that.....truck feels brandnew


Control Arm - Front Left NCP 2607886 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts

Control Arm - Front Right NCP 2607887 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts

 

O silver taco

thank you

I uploaded some pictures of my upper control arms. Maybe take a look to verify if I’m missing anything. Pretty straight forward from the look of it