Bushing replacement on front axle

[Mike_H]

Hey All,

Looking for some pointers on bushing replacement on the front axle. Specifically, the two bushings that are for the axle side of the upper control arms. One is pressed into a boss on the Diff housing, the other is pressed into a bracket welded onto the passenger side of the axle.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Fargo]

I've never done this, so I look forward to others input. But I have looked into it since I am looking at new control arms. I found a nice little tool over at ironrockoffroad that I might purchase to do the job.

 

[Stox5225]

Not sure, but I think new arms are the fix? I had to cut them out of my ‘97 Ram. I can’t imagine they’d be much different.


‘97 SE; Chromoly Dana 30 Shafts; Dana 44

 

[broken scope]

This is the hardest job l have done on my jeep so far getting the bushings out because l didnt have the right tools. Make life easier and get an air chisel. Makes it a easy job. Harbor freight has them for like $11. Ball joint press also helps and they have a ball joint kit that has a lot of different size cups thet would probably help. The ball joint press comes in handy for other tasks also.

 

[Mike_H]

This is the hardest job l have done on my jeep so far getting the bushings out because l didnt have the right tools. Make life easier and get an air chisel. Makes it a easy job. Harbor freight has them for like $11. Ball joint press also helps and they have a ball joint kit that has a lot of different size cups thet would probably help. The ball joint press comes in handy for other tasks also.

I plan on renting a ball joint press. That is my go-to for jobs like this. I use one so much, I should probably just buy one, but Its hard to justify spending the coin on a good one, when the parts store that rents them for free is only a 10 minute drive away.

 

[tworley]

Ball joint press works well. I have also seen people walk them out with a drill on the outer edge of the bushing.

 

[Stox5225]

Sawsall with Diablo blades. Home de cheapo. Home Depot.


‘97 SE; Chromoly Dana 30 Shafts; Dana 44

 

[k-huevo]

There is a risk involved. When removing the bushing from the OE passenger side bracket/mount, it's possible, and probable, the bracket/mount will no longer have press-fit tolerances afterward. When attempting that approach be sure to place a spacer within the bracket to minimize deformation.

My recommendation is Currie CE-9102K - Front End Housing Johnny Joint Kit (7/16" Bolts), or CE-9102K1 - Johnny Joint Kit (1/2" Bolts).


I used a press/pull control arm bushing tool for R&R. If you purchase the complete kit it will come with a press cup.

 

[glwood]

Does anyone have a photo of this done, from the Currie page for CE-9102K:

This kit has you cut off the top of the stock bracket that is on the tube and install the new Currie piece into the existing bracket base. You then weld the Currie piece to the existing bracket base. This allows for no welding to be done on the tube, resulting in no warpage of the tube.

 

[astjp2]

There is a risk involved. When removing the bushing from the OE passenger side bracket/mount, it's possible, and probable, the bracket/mount will no longer have press-fit tolerances afterward. When attempting that approach be sure to place a spacer within the bracket to minimize deformation.

My recommendation is Currie CE-9102K - Front End Housing Johnny Joint Kit (7/16" Bolts), or CE-9102K1 - Johnny Joint Kit (1/2" Bolts).
View attachment 91367

I used a press/pull control arm bushing tool for R&R. If you purchase the complete kit it will come with a press cup.
View attachment 91368

I just JB welded the bushing in to hold it.

 

[Goatman]

Golly GLWOOD, no need to yell. Whith a couple of large sockets and some allthread yo make a "bushing press" on the cheap. Works for arm bushings, leaf spring bush install, etc.

 

[g.hayduke]

I have not done it but I believe you can use a drill to basically chew out the rubber and remove the center sleeve. Then use a sawzall to cut a slot through the outer sleeve, relieving the press fit, making it come out easily.