I am going to change my upper A-Arm Bushings, Ball Joints, Lower A-Arm Ball Joints, Strut Rod Bushings
and Idler Arm as needed.
According to a Shop I took my truck to they said I needed these items at a cost of $1004.72 dollars plus two new front Tires not included in the Price!!
So My question is having some spare A-Arm parts I pressed out one Upper A-Arm Bushing and found that the A-Arm had one half sleeve welded to the A-Arm
and another sleeve 3/4 of an inch long fell out when the Bushing was pressed out.
Is the second sleeve welded to the A-Arm or loose as I found it?
Also when you press in the new Bushing do you spray the two metal surfaces with WD-40 or oil prior to pressing?

 

I believe those bushing were an added strengthening for the upper A-arm and bushings and are a separate piece and should come loose, but having said that none of the A-arm's I have done have had that secondary sleeve....probably changed before and left off. But Once the old bushing are out I usually will lube up the bore and bushing outer surface with some engine oil...usually just some used stuff laying around...then press them in.

 

I just paid $1456.00 about 6 months ago to have my front suspension rebuilt including new Moog springs,

It was worth every penny and I didn't loose any blood in the process.
Jim

 

Dunno why people insist on having 'everything' done.

When I went to change the coils and shocks in my D250 5 years ago, all I found that was worn out was one lower balljoint, and one upper control arm bushing. Replaced those, greased everything else, and carried on. Tape measure alignment. Grand total was ~$300.

 

Preventive maintenance,
I did it because I have almost 500,000 miles or half million on my truck and although most of the parts didn't need it I plan to keep this truck forever and I will not have to worry about a part breaking due the metal fatigue,

Our 5.9 weighs almost twice that of a small block truck engine.

Also this my primary transportation that I also use for work.
Jim

 

I would say it weighs closer to 3 times a small block v-8.

Edwin

 

I have the same requirements for my rides... but haven't quite notched those miles yet. I have to stop wrenching and buying parts earlier than most... not enough hours in the day and I'd be flat broke.

The big joints in the the 4000# front end seem to last quite well, IMO, with regular greasing.

 

True, true,
Small blocks are about 575 pounds.

One problem is finding parts of sufficient quality worthy of being on my truck with all of the knockoff and counterfit parts on the market especially on the internet.

This is why I will not buy from the internet, I like to hold it in my hand to compare first.