Front Upper Control Arm (UCA) Bushing Replacement

[Zorba]

Drill out the rubber of the bushing til you can punch out the inner sleeve. Then take a hacksaw and cut the outer sleeve and it will lose tension and can be hammered out. I boxed welded my passenger side upper mount, along with a cross piece inside the mount just under the bushing hole to keep the mount from collapsing. Then using some all thread, hardened washers, and oversized sockets, I made a press to drive the new bushings in. I made a similar (but much longer) press with all thread when I installed the inner axle seals for the front diff. Obviously it's alot easier with the axle out.

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That takes a level of dedication that I don't have! *respect*

 

[duncanator]

I'm reviving this because I am now getting around to replacing the front control arms. I replaced the front lowers and they were as easy as expected. When I decided to do the front uppers, I looked at them and they don't appear to be too bad. I am replacing them because the lowers looked bad, but these do not. I am experiencing no issues at all and just am doing them because I do not know they history of the vehicle. I do have a ball joint press and think I could do it, but the question is should I? Here's a picture of the passenger side upper bushing. As I said, I feel no unusual play with the bolt over the new one. I'm tempted to just put in the new upper arm and leave this bushing before I get into it and potentially make it worse. Thanks!

 

[Vtx531]

I'm reviving this because I am now getting around to replacing the front control arms. I replaced the front lowers and they were as easy as expected. When I decided to do the front uppers, I looked at them and they don't appear to be too bad. I am replacing them because the lowers looked bad, but these do not. I am experiencing no issues at all and just am doing them because I do not know they history of the vehicle. I do have a ball joint press and think I could do it, but the question is should I? Here's a picture of the passenger side upper bushing. As I said, I feel no unusual play with the bolt over the new one. I'm tempted to just put in the new upper arm and leave this bushing before I get into it and potentially make it worse. Thanks!

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I would just leave it. You can always do it later if it is still really bothering you. Not like this is your only opportunity to change it out.

 

[Wingback73]

I see no reason to replace it based on that photo. The only downside to changing it later is the tight space in which to work. But, again, internet pictures being what they are, I don't see cracking or signs of separation.

If you are on the fence then take a long screwdriver, bolt or whatever and apply pressure to it. That should give you confidence that there is no problem with it

 

[duncanator]

I see no reason to replace it based on that photo. The only downside to changing it later is the tight space in which to work. But, again, internet pictures being what they are, I don't see cracking or signs of separation.

If you are on the fence then take a long screwdriver, bolt or whatever and apply pressure to it. That should give you confidence that there is no problem with it

I'll be sure to do that before I replace the control arm today. Thanks!