Hey all I've got a 1994 4runner A/T 4WD. I'm redoing some front suspension parts and I am currently trying to get the bushings out of the upper control arm and having some real difficulty. I cannot fit the regular bushing press from Autozone onto the unit to press the bushings out because of the cross bar. Does anyone have any idea on how to press these out? I was able to partially get one moving by using the bushing press at an angle but I cannot get it all the way out.

I also have some general questions about replacing: The replacement bushings I bought are silicone or poly or something - not rubber. They did not come with any metal sleeves but it appears that the rubber bushings go inside the metal sleeves and then the metal sleeves get pushed into the UCA. Is this correct? Is it the same with the lower control arm?

 

Maybe living in the rust belt has me going straight to the gas ax all the time, but I would torch the rubber out and cut the sleves with a sawzall.

 

@rattlewagon If I were to do that how does putting it back together work with the new parts? I get some new metal sleeves, poly bushing goes in the sleeve, then press those somehow back into the UCA?

 

Im not sure, Ive never replaced with the poly bushing. Just the OEs with metal sleves.

Did a bit of googling, check these threads:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...sleeve-143395/

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...24/index3.html

Looks like you cant buy the sleeves. Best bet may be to melt the bushing out, dont take the sleeves out, and then put the poly bushings in.

 

You dont have to be in the rust belt to torch them out, I couldn't get mine out so I used the propane torch. I ended up buying new control arms with bushings installed here;
Toyota Pickup 4WD Lower Control A Arm Left Front , 48069-35051 , 4806935051 , 48069-35050 , 480693505 (japanesetruckdismantling.net)

They have worked great and when I have time I'll put new bushings in the old control arms.

 

sorry, just noticed you are asking about upper arms...

 

I also had to use the torch method before I was able to remove mine. Terrible job. I used all sorts of contracptions to aid in the bushing press. Get creative. Wish I took picture of them to share.

 

I used a combination of a torch and a ball joint press kit. I was able to heat them up in the arm and push out both the sleeve and the rubber. I then heated up and pushed out the rubber form the sleeve and cleaned the sleeve up with a wire wheel on my drill. Use the grease for the poly bushings liberally, they will eventually squeek.

By the way this is one of the best maintenance mods I did to my truck. Replaced all my bushing F/R with poly and it was like a new truck. Best of luck and take your time