Hey guys, I'm in the middle of changing my control arm bushings to poly. The squealing is driving me insane.


I got the whole driver side UCA/LCA disassembled and removed from the vehicle. I have the Energy Suspension Polyurethane bushing kit which requires reusing the steel sleeves inside of the bushing. My assumption was that these sleeves were a steel tube much like a shock absorber bushing.


These appear to be press-fit caps on either end of the bushing. So far I have only heard guys saying what a pain it is to remove these bushings, but nothing about how to remove the steel sleeves. I am taking this rebuild nice and slow. So far, no broken bolts and no irreparable damage. doing ball joints and a bit of cleaning and painting while I wait on a few parts. I want to do this right, so I can wait on some replies here.


Thanks for any and all help.

 

If you want to avoid squeaking from the poly bushing after you get it all together, take the time to go to the hardware store and pick up some powdered graphite to mix in with the lubricant they give you for the bushings. Worked great for me.

 

I popped the caps off, drilled a dozen small holes through the old bushing, sprayed/soaked them with penetrating fluid overnight, then torched them out. This is a bit of work, but it didn't take me too long. Once I got the bushings burning they started working themselves out of the control arm. To reuse the sleeves, I just wire wheeled them clean.
If you have access to a press that would probably be the way to go, but as I didn't, this worked just fine for me. New poly bushings have been in for almost two years, and no squeaking with the supplied lube.

 

There are several write-ups on this....even a little tool you can build with some all thread and a 54 mm socket. Check out member BlazeN8 and his work on control arms.

Edit: This is my build thread that I sorta just dropped the ball on...but it will help in the removal of the bushings. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f199...ild-up-239986/

 

Subscribed...I have a Energy Suspension kit for my 94 and have to do the same thing. Interesting idea about adding graphite to the silicone lube....hhmmm.

 

BlazeN8 has been able to get his not to squeak, but mine do mainly because I got in a hurry towards the end and just wanted it back together so I could drive it again.

 

Heat is definitely your friend to get them to come out easier. Still a job but if you can get them just to the point of melting heating up the sleeve they will almost slide out in one piece and leave minimal clean up on the inside of the sleeve. This will usually happen on the last one you do after some practice. Good luck

 

I think my question was misunderstood.

How do the capped LCA sleeves come apart? Ive tried gently prying with a chisel but it feels like one piece?

Im safe in assuming the UCA is disassembled by contra-rotating those 27mm nuts off of the anchor arm shaft, correct?

 

Here's a pic of the front suspension parts from a 93 FSM.

Upper control arm info.

Lower control arm info.

Torsion spring info.