upper,lower control arm bushing change
07-09-2008, 09:43 AM
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upper,lower control arm bushing change
Having read thru many of the "control arm" bushing threads, I am in the process of ordereing the control arm bushings and ball joints for the front of my 96 long bed, 2WD. A couple of questions--
Best way to "attack" the control arms for disasimbly ?
Read about the control arm bolts, does anyone have the sizes so I might pre-oder from McMaster-carr ?
What is the recomended front end alignment --apart from the factory manual?
Best way to "attack" the control arms for disasimbly ?
Read about the control arm bolts, does anyone have the sizes so I might pre-oder from McMaster-carr ?
What is the recomended front end alignment --apart from the factory manual?
07-14-2008, 12:28 PM
#3
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I replaced the bushings on my 4x4 with energysuspension a couple of years ago but I reused the existing bolts. I took the contol arms off then clamped them in a vise. I then got a metal bucket of water and put underneath the bushing and then caught it on fire with my torch. I let them burn just long enough that I could knock'em out. Be sure to do this in a well ventalated area because it is like a small tire fire. I'm sure there is a right way to do it but this worked for me.
07-14-2008, 12:36 PM
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Okay, I was under the impression that a "bolt" and washer was needed to go into the ends of the control arm shaft after the bushings are installed, to mount the control arm onto the crossmember, and that these bolts are the trouble makers that are hard to get out.
What am I missing?
What am I missing?
07-14-2008, 01:01 PM
#5
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All I know is what I did to mine. The new bushings had to be pressed into the arm but I was able to use my vise. IIRC there are washers that go on either side of the bushing and I used the old ones and haven't had any problems yet.
07-14-2008, 01:08 PM
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It sounds like the control arm shafts have threaded ends that nuts go onto?
Therefore, if the shafts are good, only new nuts, if needed, are used.
I've pressed new bushings into other brands control arms, so I can do that without any problem.
Therefore, if the shafts are good, only new nuts, if needed, are used.
I've pressed new bushings into other brands control arms, so I can do that without any problem.
07-14-2008, 03:39 PM
#7
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I replaced my control arm bushings on my 97 with energy suspension from Summitracing. I looked on their site and here is a link to the PN you need:
http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/dgt1.html
You need PN 5.3124. I found an installation guide for it so the PDF with text and drawings are below for the PN 17306 install instructions:
It says you need to re-use the existing front lower outer shells.
Here is a text copy of the Install instructions :
http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/dgt1.html
You need PN 5.3124. I found an installation guide for it so the PDF with text and drawings are below for the PN 17306 install instructions:
It says you need to re-use the existing front lower outer shells.
Here is a text copy of the Install instructions :
Installation Instructions
for Set # 5-3124
1. Properly support the vehicle on the frame. Note: refer to shop manual for
proper procedure. Remove the upper control armassembly from the vehicle.
2. Remove the O.E. outer metal shells from the upper control. Press in the
supplied outer metal shells into the upper control arms.
NOTE: THERE MUST BE A 7/16” GAP BETWEEN THE CONTROL ARM AND
THE SUPPLIED OUTER METAL SHELL (USE FOUR 7/16” NUTS AS PACERS) .
Grease all sides of the bushing that contact metal. Press in the Energy
Suspension bushing. Grease and install sleeves. Along with the faces of
the bushings.
3. Reinstall the upper control arm assembly onto the vehicle and tighten all
fasteners to factory specs.
4. Remove the lower control arms, remove the rubber bushings and inner
metal sleeves from the O.E. outer metal shells.
Clean all excess rubber from I.D. of metal shells. DO NOT REMOVE THE
O.E. OUTER METAL SHELLS FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. OUTER
METAL SHELLS ARE NOT SUPPLIED FOR LOWER CONTROL ARMS!
5. Grease the I.D. of the O.E. outer metal shells and grease all sides of the
bushing that contact metal.
6. Install the bushings and grease the I.D. of the bushings, sleeves and inner
flanges of frame.
7. Reinstall the lower control arms and tighten all fasteners to factory specs.
8. Energy suspension recommends a front wheel alignment at a qualified
service center.
There must be a 7/16" gap between the control arm and Supplied
outer metal shell on both sides of the control arm. Re-use O.E.
Washer and nut
for Set # 5-3124
1. Properly support the vehicle on the frame. Note: refer to shop manual for
proper procedure. Remove the upper control armassembly from the vehicle.
2. Remove the O.E. outer metal shells from the upper control. Press in the
supplied outer metal shells into the upper control arms.
NOTE: THERE MUST BE A 7/16” GAP BETWEEN THE CONTROL ARM AND
THE SUPPLIED OUTER METAL SHELL (USE FOUR 7/16” NUTS AS PACERS) .
Grease all sides of the bushing that contact metal. Press in the Energy
Suspension bushing. Grease and install sleeves. Along with the faces of
the bushings.
3. Reinstall the upper control arm assembly onto the vehicle and tighten all
fasteners to factory specs.
4. Remove the lower control arms, remove the rubber bushings and inner
metal sleeves from the O.E. outer metal shells.
Clean all excess rubber from I.D. of metal shells. DO NOT REMOVE THE
O.E. OUTER METAL SHELLS FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. OUTER
METAL SHELLS ARE NOT SUPPLIED FOR LOWER CONTROL ARMS!
5. Grease the I.D. of the O.E. outer metal shells and grease all sides of the
bushing that contact metal.
6. Install the bushings and grease the I.D. of the bushings, sleeves and inner
flanges of frame.
7. Reinstall the lower control arms and tighten all fasteners to factory specs.
8. Energy suspension recommends a front wheel alignment at a qualified
service center.
There must be a 7/16" gap between the control arm and Supplied
outer metal shell on both sides of the control arm. Re-use O.E.
Washer and nut
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07-15-2008, 08:54 AM
#8
Registered User
before I did the job, I went to a local dealer and bought all the OEM bolts since its pretty much a guarantee the existing ones are rusted in there.
Id see if you can find some aftermarket control arms. the stock ones are pretty flimsy.
If you opt just to swap the bushings see if you can find some black energy suspension replacements. Theyre pretty decent.
Id see if you can find some aftermarket control arms. the stock ones are pretty flimsy.
If you opt just to swap the bushings see if you can find some black energy suspension replacements. Theyre pretty decent.
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