Front axle upper control arm bushings

[akajibio]

Well, this past weekend, i noticed a clunking sound from the front end of the jeep and realized that I have not yet replaced my front control arm bushings at the axle. I recently replaced motor mounts, and front drive axle shafts due to bad u joints and excessive front end noise. The motor mounts needed replacement which improved dash vibrations but now I am noticing occasional clunks. I have replaced many bushings, all joints and all ball joints but never replaced front control arm bushings so naturally I think they are next. My question is has anyone replaced these bushings? and of course any helpful hints? I have the ball joint press tool but have also noticed folks using air hammers so I thought I'd ask before attempting this project. I appreciate any helpful suggestions. Thanks all.

 

[astjp2]

If you oversize the bolts you can use a harbor freight ball joint press and use JK ones, they are quiet and easy to replace.

 

[Frank M]

I used a 1/4 drill bit to remove as much of the rubber as possible, then an air hammer to remove the rest of the bushing. Used a ball joint press to install the new ones.

 

[tr21triton]

Just did this on my brothers 06 last week. we just replaced the control arms. it was $225 for all 8 Moog arms. and you'll need the 2 bushings for the uppers on the axle that were $11 I believe, the upper driver side was a PIA. Then I noticed his track bar bushing was bad too. I plan on doing my 05 soon, other than replacing the bushings on the axle it was a easy job. The pass side axle bushing popped right out with a air hammer, but the driver side we had to use a ball joint press with a socket to remove it.

 

[Lazuli]

Not hard—just time-consuming, especially if you’re doing it with the axle still attached. I’d recommend dropping the axle; you’ll have way more room to work around everything. It sounds like a lot more work, but it’s really not. I wish I would’ve just dropped it from the start.

You pretty much drill out the rubber so you can collapse the metal sleeve and release the tension, and then it’ll slide out easier. I used a ball joint press, a small M12 drill, and chisels. Of course, if you have an air hammer, it looks like it makes things way easier.

Be careful with the passenger-side mount—it’s been known to bend. Try to support it by placing something in between so you don’t bend it when pressing in the new joint. I went with JK bushings, but had to drill out my control arms for the larger bolt.

 

[kmas0n]

I have to do this pretty often on my JL's. I just use the harbor freight ball joint press. It does the job. You may have to modify one of the cups, the forged "ear" isn't flat on both sides, so you gotta deal with a little angle. Now i've done it a few times, its pretty easy. Also... if you want the RockJock upper Johnny Joint bushings, it comes with a nice fabricated installation tool.

 

[GregBelleville]

Also... if you want the RockJock upper Johnny Joint bushings, it comes with a nice fabricated installation tool.

Are these the Rock Jock bushings you're referring to? Are these intended to replace the stock axle bushings?

 

[Weasellee]

Are these the Rock Jock bushings you're referring to? Are these intended to replace the stock axle bushings?
View attachment 674609

Yes but do your homework before installing these. I have zero personal experience but have read some reviews about adding vibes. Be informed.

 

[Lazuli]

Yes but do your homework before installing these. I have zero personal experience but have read some reviews about adding vibes. Be informed.

Joint is too small to control the axle. That’s what I read.

 

[kmas0n]

Are these the Rock Jock bushings you're referring to? Are these intended to replace the stock axle bushings?
View attachment 674609

Thats the one. You can see the install tool too. I don't know anything about vibrations. I've never experienced it.

 

[Weasellee]

Thats the one. You can see the install tool too. I don't know anything about vibrations. I've never experienced it.

Do you run these?

 

[GregBelleville]

I'm also curious about these Johnny joint bushings. I was under the possibly false impression that the only way to get Johnny joints for the control arm bushings on the front axle was to do one of these weld on brackets.

 

[kmas0n]

Sorry guys, my experience with upper axle JJ 's is specific to JLURs. If they can handle the weight and power of the JL, I can't imagine them having trouble with the TJ. The jls passenger side upper mount is forged into the axle, so you don't have to weld anything in.

 

[akajibio]

Not hard—just time-consuming, especially if you’re doing it with the axle still attached. I’d recommend dropping the axle; you’ll have way more room to work around everything. It sounds like a lot more work, but it’s really not. I wish I would’ve just dropped it from the start.

You pretty much drill out the rubber so you can collapse the metal sleeve and release the tension, and then it’ll slide out easier. I used a ball joint press, a small M12 drill, and chisels. Of course, if you have an air hammer, it looks like it makes things way easier.

Be careful with the passenger-side mount—it’s been known to bend. Try to support it by placing something in between so you don’t bend it when pressing in the new joint. I went with JK bushings, but had to drill out my control arms for the larger bolt.


View attachment 674462View attachment 674463

Thank you for the visual and words of confidence. Hey how do you like your Bilstein shocks? how much lift do you have?

 

[Lazuli]

Thank you for the visual and words of confidence. Hey how do you like your Bilstein shocks? how much lift do you have?

NP, if you have any questions message me happy to get on a call. I’m on 4 inch rock jock springs going to be selling the shocks soon. Can cut you a super good deal on all 4. I don’t have anything to compare them to my previous ones were Rancho’s but they were all blown out. I think they’re good. Can’t knock them for the price, going to fox’s next.

 

[akajibio]

NP, if you have any questions message me happy to get on a call. I’m on 4 inch rock jock springs going to be selling the shocks soon. Can cut you a super good deal on all 4. I don’t have anything to compare them to my previous ones were Rancho’s but they were all blown out. I think they’re good. Can’t knock them for the price, going to fox’s next.

Oh wow! I would be totally interested but I currently have a 6" lift on my TJ. I am shopping for better shocks, currently looking at either Bilstein's or Fox 2.0. Any one prefer one over the other. I just want a softer ride, my back hurts a lot from driving the Jeep daily, but I love my jeep.

 

[Lazuli]

Oh wow! I would be totally interested but I currently have a 6" lift on my TJ. I am shopping for better shocks, currently looking at either Bilstein's or Fox 2.0. Any one prefer one over the other. I just want a softer ride, my back hurts a lot from driving the Jeep daily, but I love my jeep.

Fox hands down. Some people say bils are stiff. I’ve only read good things about fox