My rig 1988 4runner. went to do energy suspension control arm bushings and the lowers on one side were too loose so i ordered mevotech replacements but they are too big in diameter to fit in the control arms. Has any one else had this problem and found a solution?

 

If your replacement bushings fit perfectly on one side, and those same bushings didn't fit the other side, I'd say you've got a control arm issue.

 

I may not have explained the situation clearly. I took the passenger side apart to do cv boots, ball joints, and energy suspension control arm bushings. I removed the rubber and inner sleeves for the bushings. the upper bushings went together fine but the lower poly bushings just fall into the sleeves. this was not going to work and after talking to energy suspension they told me the poly bushings only work with oem sleeves. I then ordered some mevotech bushings for a 88 4runner. they are too big to press into the control arms. they are about .030 inch bigger than the hole in the arm. I looked at some bushings for a 1990 and the smaller OD is about right but the bigger OD is still about .020 inch bigger than the arm. the lower sleeves on the drivers side would work with the poly bushings as would the uppers, so the only thing that was different was the lower bushings on the passenger side. I believe the control arms are original butt dont know for sure, i dont know what to do next so any help would be great.

 

You needed to keep the oem metal sleeves that you removed.

 

I am not using the poly bushings. I need oem style bushings to fit my lower control arms.

 

If you have the control arms off the truck, try torch heating the control arm metal arounf the hole and put the bushings in the freezer for an hour before hand. Then press them in. Worth a shot

 

I used Nishino bushings for my lower control arms. From Japan, and quality seemed comparable.

 

I just looked them up using my '87 4Runner VIN, and those are still available from Toyota. I assume the '88 would be the same.

 

The bushings are available from Toyota. My dilemma is the mevotech bushings are too big to press into the arms. When I talked to mevotech they told me their bushings are built using OEM dimensions. If this is true Toyota bushings would be too big also. IF THAT IS TRUE! I have been trying to find a dealer with a bushing in stock that I can go measure or have them measure. No luck. I have tried to find a parts store with an aftermarket one in stock that I can measure. No luck. If anyone has a Toyota part #48061-35011 sitting around please measure the 2 outside diameters and the overall length and post here for me. Thanks.

 

I got some toyota lower control arm bushings and they fit. So the mevotech bushings are not built to toyota specs. The uppers from mevotech were fine.