TheGecko

I got my truck recently from my brother. and even though he isn't very tech savy the list of things he gave me to replace so far has been correct. One of the major ones that i don't want to do if its not nessicary is teh control arm bushings. they just seem like a total pita.

the rational behind needing new bushings was that the truck makes this horrible groaning sound at the end of the steering range. after looking under the truck i see that it could easily be explained by the little steering bumpstop thingies.

however it is possible that my brother is still right, but i don't really know how to assess control arm bushings. currently the truck is at 190k and its been on 33" for the last 20 or so i imagine. the truck doesn't wander or viberate more than i would expect from bfg MT.

so in short how do i find out whether on not i need to do control arm bushings?

kevin444

do you have a 2nd gen or 3rd gen?

GSGALLANT

Sounds more like steering stop noise to me. Common problem. take a dab of grease on your finger, and smear it on the stops on both sides. If the problem goes away, then you know it's not the bushings.

ewong

If its a torsion bar setup - the control arms bushigns can go bad - but are more trouble than its worth unless you DIY (i.e. its expensive)

Travisfab

upper or lower? 2wd or 4wd?

TheGecko

the truck is a 92 (2nd gen?) 4x4. i think it has torsion bars since i don't see anysprings. if i did replace the bushings, i would be doing all the work, but that still seems like something i would like to avoid. i figure if i have the parts and have to get underthere i may just replace all of therm with urathane,

I don't know specifically if the bushings are bad but i would like to know how to check. as i said early my brother left me a short list, and to my surprise everything has been right so far. so i would like to at least check to make sure thier ok.

ewong

IMHO - Dont.

rocket

iTrader: (1)

Don't listen to this guy...he installed them "wrong". no offense, ewong.

Get poly bushings and soak them in oil over night. Then let them "dry" and lube the heck out of them! Coat the inside metal too. Use all the grease that comes with the kit and buy/use more. Coat them very heavily and you wont have any squeaking whatsoever.

fork

my truck busted one of its feet recently too. now my front end rattles at about 12mph i'm not letting friends drive my truck anymore. but i figure i'll wheel it until the ifs goes, then SAS.

ewong

CO isnt the East Coast road salt belt...

Actualy mine dont squeek that much.. the Alcan Orbit eyes make more noise..
Its just that its a REAL PITA to install.

Dunno where the OP lives.

If I were to do it over (and Im planning on it - Derlin with SS sleeves.

BTW - I have custom SS sleeves in mine now.. much better

TheGecko

I appreciate alot of the input that people have offered. i understand you're trying to save me from a nightmare (yes, i've read alot of threads on poly bushings, and i have now delusions about how fun it is).

but i'm still trying to figure out how do i actually check my bushings.

-hanno

ewong

The problem is to check them you have to pull the A arms off which means you have to mess up the alignment.
ANd you have to unload the tension on the A Arm.... i.e loosen the torsion bar end bolt.

Here on the Road Salt coast the torsion bar bolts WILL be rusted. So they have to be Sawzalled off.

AFAIK there isnt any other way to reliably check them.

If they are toast - there will be visible shredding of the rubber in the bushing.

The UPPER A arm bushings are a bit more visible as they are more "exposed: at the ends of the cross shaft. Look for "off centering" of the shact axle versus the arm.
You can only see the upper forard one. The rear ward one is covered by the torsion bar socket.

Short answer - several hours of labor and essentially a full disassembly of the IFS.
Or 1/3 of the way to a SAS....

Marc P

If they look like this....they are bad

TheGecko

Thanks

fleurette

Could anybody put up a pic of the area to be greased (steering stop) ?

ewong

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/mainte...ront_end/lube/