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Control Arm Bushings: Worth Replacing?

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Old 04-12-2009, 07:57 PM
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Control Arm Bushings: Worth Replacing?

I know mine are the originals, and I definitely see some cracking and signs of age. My questions is, with it being the PITA that I've read about, what are the benefits? Are they noticeable? Is it a safety issue?

I don't have any creaking/squeaking, but I know they're there for a reason. How much difference would, say, poly bushings make over old stockers?

TIA

Qdude
Old 04-12-2009, 08:07 PM
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Don't bother unless they are noisy or have excess movement.

If I replaced mine I would go with stock style rubber. Im sure you would feel the difference with polly bushings..
Old 04-12-2009, 08:09 PM
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stock replacements are 'soft' and give a decent ride quality (think about that new vehicle ride). poly are much harder and don't let those little things flex, so the ride will be somewhat stiffer than stock. but also will give more precise steering and the like.

call me weird but I didn't get a 4wd truck for 'comfort'.

and I'll leave it at that.
Old 04-12-2009, 08:11 PM
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lol, I tore my ENTIRE front suspention apart and replaced literally everything, and never touched the control arm bushings but they still seem to be in top knotch shape and don't make any kind of noise at all
Old 04-12-2009, 08:15 PM
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i'm going to add that unless they've been soaking in gear or engine oil or beating up the local trails, the stock bushings should be fine for several 100k miles.
Old 04-12-2009, 08:29 PM
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I've got 220K on my truck and they're needing replacement. I can hear one side clunking around and it doesn't hold an alignment too well. I've got the parts but don't know any shops around here with a press. Probably going to go to my cousin's shop in Houston as he's got a lift and all the goodies. I'd buy my own press, but for the 5 times in my life I'd need it I don't want it taking up space in the garage.
Old 04-12-2009, 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by abecedarian
i'm going to add that unless they've been soaking in gear or engine oil or beating up the local trails, the stock bushings should be fine for several 100k miles.
are they kinda like the amazing lifetime 22re fuel filter?
Old 04-12-2009, 08:49 PM
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heck everything is lifetime on a toyota
Old 04-12-2009, 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Steveh29
I've got 220K on my truck and they're needing replacement. I can hear one side clunking around and it doesn't hold an alignment too well. I've got the parts but don't know any shops around here with a press. Probably going to go to my cousin's shop in Houston as he's got a lift and all the goodies. I'd buy my own press, but for the 5 times in my life I'd need it I don't want it taking up space in the garage.
...for the less then the price of the gas you could take em to some shop in town man. Unless you mean him doing a lot of the work, especially if you don't have the tools, but with all those goodies in your sig line I find it hard to believe you don't have a good amount of tools...
Old 04-12-2009, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by gary96360
heck everything is lifetime on a toyota
cept fer that darned antenna I've replaced twice now... but the second replacement was my fault
Old 04-12-2009, 10:11 PM
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Originally Posted by iamsuperbleeder
cept fer that darned antenna I've replaced twice now... but the second replacement was my fault
mine is kinda broken. its hanging back rather than being upright. but i like the look.
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