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

 

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..

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

are they kinda like the amazing lifetime 22re fuel filter?

 

heck everything is lifetime on a toyota

 

...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...

 

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.