Hi all, I'm looking at some bad bushings in the lower control arms, and not good ones in the uppers. The uppers are a cast aftermarket and the bushings cannot be replaced.

I got a quote to replace lower bushings and upper arms (that I provide) for $500. Is that crazy? And how about Moog arms? Acceptable for lower and upper?

I'm looking to NOT spend a fortune here so no LT stuff.I cant press the bushings at home, but I could install new uppers and BJs.


...Meanwhile, installing OME kit after work tomorrow

 

It depends just where you live.

Knowing how much work it is to get the old bushings out I think that is a fair price. I try and bill $500.00 for a days work

Are you planning to supply all new hardware including The New Cam Bolts and nuts lots of times they are seized as well

What is the rest of the front end hardware like so the front end alignment can be done.

 

Fair enough. Old suspension bushings are one of those things I just hate doing on trucks...and I'm sure shops feel the same.

Front end is rough but alright. I was going to do the BJs since I dont mind the job at all, but since control arms are cheaper than bushings+labor maybe I should just cowboy up and do the whole job.

 

I'll post my costs and time taken when I do this. Just to keep the thread useful.

 

I saw a tutorial on using a bottle jack to push out the bushings. The pictures made it look really effective. The last set I did was on a ford front end. That one I torched the rubber until it caught fire and burned away, then cut the sleeves with a sawzall in about 30 seconds, then rolled and twisted the sleeves out.
Seeing the bottle jack trick I think I would give it a try. I wasn't super thrilled about burning all that rubber.

 

I had a brief thought to just order Light Raciing UCA's because they come ready to go with BJs and better range of motion. But then I read through I few unhappy threads and decided that saving $200 by using Moog is a better choice.

Looks like Moog UCAs are just under $80, and upper BJs under $30. Making ~$210 for complete replacement from Rock Auto. The LR UCA's are $380 from Fat Bob or another price matching vendor like toytech.

Not sure until later today, but I suspect that the LCA bushings are OK.

 

I'll take another look, but whatever brand UCA is currently installed does not look to have replaceable bushings.

 

EDIT: Going with Light Racing. Cost is <$400 with BJs installed. I think I need a vacation before I end up misreading something important. Lowers will be cam bolts, bushings (whatever brand) and BJs (OEM) only, and I'll try the bottle jack trick. Disregard below.


FIrst, the LR UCAs are twice what I thought since the price is per side (drrrr...). I'm pretty hesitant to spend $800 instead of $300 if it's not necessary. The current UCAs, at rest, are dang close to parallel to the ground. So, the OME springs aren't forcing things to too steep an angle.

After that, I'm still looking at Moog UCAs and upper BJs. I'd like adjustables, but so far I haven't found a good price (I'm moving, need to save money). I'm still searching because I don't yet know my way around taco parts vendors.

So, like at the wedding, if anyone objects (to Moog) speak now!