Hey guys, I am new to this talking on a forum but, I need help. I am trying to replace all the bushings on the front end of my 1993 Toyota Pickup. I have most everything done but the bushings on the Upper control arms. My son is helping me but neither of us are mechanics by any means. What I really need to know is.... Do I absolutely have to take the Torsion bars out? or can I just undo the 2 bolts that attach to the side of the control arm? I am a big guy and already have trouble fitting under my truck to look at things,,, I am trying to learn more about the workings of my truck but I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Please Help!! I love my truck, I am the 2nd owner after my Father-n-law, she's beautiful and in such good condition.

Thanks in Advance,
Chuck

 

Yes you have to take the tension off the spring (torsion bar) before you can take the arm off.

 

Be sure to use jack stands. Decent ones can give you quite a bit of lift. If you're lifting it enough to get a big guy underneath, use some sort of wheel chocks as well, to assure it doesn't "roll" off the jack stands. If you have a smooth enough floor, a "creeper" https://www.harborfreight.com/250-lb...est-63311.html might help.

 

nothing wrong with that creeper, but HF sells a different one by the same manufacturer that IMO is a better creeper, and there is often a coupon to drop its price to $19.99. pittsburgh low-profile creeper

 

All of the previous comments are right on the money.
I would like to add this:
#1 be careful, there is a lot of stored energy in the torsion bars!
#2 if you don't NEED to do it, don't, it's a pain in the butt.
#3 when you back off the tensioner bolt to release the pressure from the torsion bar count how many turns exactly and put them back exactly when you are done or measure the bolt length carefully.
this is unless one side of your truck droops compared to the other, when you are done they should be at the same ride height as when you started and even from side to side.
#4 get an alignment done when you finish all of your front end work and get a computer printout of before and after readings.

 

Everyones got good advice. Safety first!
glad to hear youre doing the work yourself and showing the younger ones how to do it. Suspension work is dirty and not fun but when you get that smooth ride, youll be glad.

 

When I got my 1987 a few years ago it was leaking oil, and obviously for awhile. The lower control arms were just caked with old oil and grime,along with a fresh coat of new oil. Knowing that oil will destroy rubber I assumed the control arm bushings were ruined. So I pulled the lower control arms and pressed out the old ones. They were stellar. I went ahead obviously pressed in the new, but after that I didn't bother with the top ones. I figured the alignment would alert me to a concern.

 

Thank You very much, I replaced the lower control arm bushings, do you think it would be ok to leave the uppers alone for now? they seem to be fine, I just wanted to give the front end a Makeover.

 

Thank You

 

I’d leave alone. First, they’re probably ok. Second, if you buy non-OEM bushings they’ll either be noisey or degrade at a much faster rate than the original. Unless the vehicle’s ride height had been drastically altered I’d be surprised if there was a issue with ones already installed.