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How do you remove these lower control arm bushing things?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by crazytacoman, May 19, 2020.

  1. May 19, 2020 at 7:29 PM
    #1
    crazytacoman

    crazytacoman [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I managed to get them off of the control arm, but I'm stuck on how to remove this thing. I was planning on using the energy suspension polystyrene bushings. I'm starting to think that it's not worth the hassle of doing it that way and instead just buying the whole new bushing assembly.

    Anyone know of a method to get these disassembled? Would really appreciate the help

    IMG_4469.jpgIMG_4470.jpg IMG_4471.jpg

    Side note: I've been using this as a guide and also timmy the toolman, but they don't show this step.
     
  2. May 19, 2020 at 9:01 PM
    #2
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Torch! You burn the rubber out to do the Energy Bushings.

    I chose to do Whiteline bushings.
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N9GQMT0/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apap_WGUlgn21IpDwq
     
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  3. May 19, 2020 at 9:02 PM
    #3
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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  4. May 19, 2020 at 9:04 PM
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    ramonortiz55

    ramonortiz55 Not A Well-Known Member

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    I believe I saw someone once use a drill bit and run it into the rubber and drill around "cutting" the rubber w the drill bit.
     
  5. May 19, 2020 at 9:06 PM
    #5
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Some people do that to get the majority of the rubber out. But no matter what, you'll have to use a torch. You have to get ALL the rubber out and get them clean before you put in the Energy bushings.
     
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  6. May 19, 2020 at 9:20 PM
    #6
    ToyotaDriver

    ToyotaDriver Well-Known Member

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    I’ve done two sets of the energy suspension bushings now and you’ve got to torch them out! The install guide recommends leaving the outer metal bushing in the control arm for the removal of the old bushing and the install of the new. Those rings on the ends of the center sleeve are a bitch to get out when they’re in the control arm. I imagine they’re very difficult to get out with the entire assembly out of the control arm. Grinding a little bit of material from the face of the metal sleeve helps in getting the ring off. Don’t take too much. Use a large ball bearing, a ball peen hammer, or a socket that flanges out to spread the sleeve back onto the ring when you reassemble. Those rings were the worse part of the whole install. I ended up messing one of the sleeves up on both pickups I did during reassembly. Was able to salvage bother of them.

    From seeing the install process on the Whitelines, I think that’s the route I would go if I did it over again. Especially if you have any corrosion in those middle sleeves.
     
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  7. May 19, 2020 at 9:45 PM
    #7
    Timmah!

    Timmah! Well-Known Member

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    Send the Energy Suspension bushings back and get Whiteline like others have mentioned. Why hassle with the Energy Suspension bushings when the Whiteline bushings are a complete replacement. Every time I hear somebody bought Energy Suspension instead of Whiteline for this application, I feel sorry for them. The money savings buying Energy Suspension isn't worth the hassle that's involved in my opinion.

    https://www.youtube.com/embed/kmaZNBp1gZM

    https://www.youtube.com/embed/6FzEHygizoI
     
  8. May 19, 2020 at 9:58 PM
    #8
    riven29

    riven29 Well-Known Member

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    Totally agree, just did the whitelines based on ur video and so so so easy to swap in. of course still kinda a pain in the ass to press those old ones out with a bottle jack but it works!
     
  9. May 19, 2020 at 10:58 PM
    #9
    jaywill808

    jaywill808 Well-Known Member

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    received_538336710054710.jpg

    Just did this other week. Old ones popped right out, no problem. Make sure you are not pressing on the bushing when installing the new ones. Use a press sleeve so you don't damage the new bushings.
     
  10. May 20, 2020 at 12:50 AM
    #10
    crazytacoman

    crazytacoman [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I used the torch around the metal shell of the bushing until a lot of smoke started to come out. Though I think the issue here is that the larger washer is really pressed into the metal tube inside of the bushing. Almost like it's welded on to it
     
  11. May 20, 2020 at 12:53 AM
    #11
    crazytacoman

    crazytacoman [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So, let me get this right. The trick is to insert this back into the control arm and then try and remove it from there?

    And when attempting to remove the larger washer (outer one) should I use a ball-joint press (like the method linked) or a pry tool, or other tool you might suggest?

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-replace-upper-lower-control-arm-bushings.280375/
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2020
  12. May 20, 2020 at 6:13 AM
    #12
    jaywill808

    jaywill808 Well-Known Member

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    I think you're confusing the upper and lower bushings. They are two different styles. The lowers are just one piece. There is no sleeve that needs to be pressed into the bushing on the lowers unlike the UCA bushings.

    To replace the LCA bushings simply remove the entire bushing (exterior metal sleeve included) and then press in the new bushing. The new bushings will look exactly like the picture you posted.
     
  13. May 20, 2020 at 7:52 AM
    #13
    ToyotaDriver

    ToyotaDriver Well-Known Member

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    I’m not saying that you HAVE to insert it back in to get that out, but it may be easier. (It’s gotta go back in anyways if you’re using the energy suspension bushings. I didn’t use the balljoint press. Didn’t know about that method. I followed the instructions provided with the bushing kit and put the control arm in a vise and used a pickle fork to get the rings off.
     
  14. May 20, 2020 at 7:55 AM
    #14
    ToyotaDriver

    ToyotaDriver Well-Known Member

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    It’s a little easier to get those rings off with the pickle fork if you grind a little material away from the lip of the sleeve. Not too much, because it will be reused. The instructions for my 2nd gen said to do that where the instructions for my 1st gen did not and it made life a lot easier.

    I also just used the vise to press those rings back on when it was going back together. Best done with 2 people, but possible to do by yourself.
     
  15. May 20, 2020 at 9:30 AM
    #15
    Kwikvette

    Kwikvette Well-Known Member Vendor

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    He's not trying to get them out of his lower control arm; he's trying to separate the bushing itself from the sleeve.
     
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  16. May 20, 2020 at 4:06 PM
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    jaywill808

    jaywill808 Well-Known Member

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    Oops should've read closer. I'd stray away from the energy suspension bushings if you have to go through the extra work. I just got some Moog ones and they work great, install was easy.
     
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  17. May 20, 2020 at 4:32 PM
    #17
    Loctite77

    Loctite77 Well-Known Member

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    Holy smokes y’all. I just swapped. It’s so easy if you just heat the outer washer with a torch till it expands a little. It almost falls off the inner sleeve with a little love with a pickle fork. Actually pulled three of them off with channel locks, just get them cherry hot!!! Work smarter not harder my friends!
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2020
    crazytacoman[OP] and pontoon like this.
  18. May 20, 2020 at 6:09 PM
    #18
    Loctite77

    Loctite77 Well-Known Member

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    On a related note, when you melt all that rubber on the floor of your shop you can instantly retread the soles of your work boots. Just sayin...
     
  19. May 20, 2020 at 8:55 PM
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    pontoon

    pontoon Well-Known Member

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  20. May 21, 2020 at 7:35 PM
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    crazytacoman

    crazytacoman [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah. I needed the pickle forks to do it that way
     

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