Upper Control Arm Bushing Replacement @ Home?

[Duramax05blk]

Quick pic I took before phone died on my way out its a lower bushing. Pic is to show what I meant by cutting bushing. Hope it helps. Can get more later


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[electro]

Thanks for the pic and advice.

I purchased two Moog upper control arms for $169 tax in complete with ball joint and new bushings and lifetime warranty on all of.

I then returned the UCAs and ordered four upper control arm bushings sold separately at $11 something each on sale with lifetime warranty to be delivered in two days. I also reserved ball joint remover press tool for the day bushings come in.

I will then use tool to push out existing ball joint safely and set aside to go back in after using same tool to press out old bearings and press in new ones with an arbor press I'm going to borrow.

Hopefully I take some pictures. I know a lot of people talk about an odd clunking on the front end. This has been a tough one for me to pin point and helpfully it can help other people.




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[01SLE]

Well I'm in this post now too. Went to get an alignment today and the inner tie rods were shot and most of the bushings and the sway bar links dry rotted to all hell. Going to do it all next weekend.

Pepboys was generous enough to generate a quote for me on repairs even though I didn't ask for one. $2,054.73.

Cost of new AC Delco inner AND outer tie rods, heavy duty sway bar end links, and upper/lower front control arm bushings for both sides all just ordered from Rock Auto? $132.96 shipped.

It'll take me and a buddy a good 3 hours with air tools and a ball joint press. $2,054? Really? I feel sad for people who can't do this stuff themselves. Unreasonable is an understatement.

 

[electro]

I got to taking my upper control arms apart.

I didn't change anything. I put it all back. My bushings look fine.

The control arm appears to be rocking in and out of the frame bracket. Sliding in that little slot in there.

Anyone know how to fix that?


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[electro]

I had dealer align my truck. Lol

Problem solved.

As far as I can tell We marked the cam and pin relationship to be sure. I checked the other day and it remains still.


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[01SLE]

I put these upper control arm bushings off this whole time and finally ripped everything apart. I'm at a loss on how to press them out. They can only go in and out in one direction because of the "hat" on the outside end. But nothing in a ball joint press fits over the hat to make contact with the control arm. I have a 20 ton hydraulic press but I'm not sure what type of attachment to use to get that seat on the control arm around the bushing so I don't bend the arm. Is there a specialty tool or attachment to get these out?

 

[electro]

Find something that fits in and something to receive on the other side?




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[01SLE]

That's the problem. What has a lip to fit under the hat to make contact with the control arm and will receive the bushing as it comes out AND that can withstand 20 tons of force? I'm assuming there's a tool made for that since I'm not the first person to ever remove the bushings but I have yet to find anything specific. There are UCA bushing removal tools all over the internet but I can't find one that will specifically fit the big GM bushings and I'd hate to order a generic kit that won't end up fitting and waste that time and money.

 

[electro]

Smack it out with a hammer?


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---------- Post added at 07:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:41 PM ----------

Large hammer?


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[01SLE]

They're in there too tight. I'll figure it out today