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If you know how to remove the control arms just remove it and take them to an auto repair along with the new bushings and let them install it, that will save you money and head ache
Yes, you DO need a special tool to properly install the bushings, but you might be able to improvise a bushing screw-press with some allthread, nuts, fat washers, and some appropriately sized pipe section or sockets, one wide enough to accept the bushing for engaging the control arm, the other small enough to fully engage the bushing head.
Lubricate the bushing with silicone grease, run the allthread (double nutted securely in place at the end) through (in this order) a large washer, the larger diameter pipe section, the control arm bushing mounting hole, the new bushing center hole, the smaller diameter pipe section, washers large enough to fully engage the smaller pipe section, and finally attach another nut to hold the whole thing together. Holding the double nutted end, tighten the other nut to slowly compress the new bushing into the control arm.
Some guys do it with sockets and big hammers, but they generally end up with damaged bushings and smashed fingers!
Hope this helps and good luck!
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This is a fairly involved job, the entire rear suspension assembly will have to be at least lowered. There are special installation/removal tools (bushing drivers) needed to facilitate.
These bushings realy fail, is there some reason why you have determined replacement; i.e. noise maybe?
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The lower control arm is a two-piece welded unit with a riveted ball joint. A conventional rubber bushing is used for the rear lower control arm pivot. The front lower control arm bushing is mounted vertically.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Some special tools are required to perform this operation including, a front hub spindle removal tool and a suitable ball joint separator tool.
WARNING
Do not hammer or pry ball joint from knuckle. Failure to use recommended tools may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.
See Figure 1
Fig. Fig. 1: Exploded view of the control arm-to-frame mounting
Raise the vehicle and suitably support by the frame allowing the control arms to hang free.
Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
Remove the steering gear outer tie rod from the steering knuckle.
Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the control arm.
Remove the front drive axle shaft nut and washer.
Use a suitable front hub spindle removal tool to Push the axle splines back out of the front wheel drive shaft bearing.
Remove the drive axle from the transaxle.
Drive axle joint seal protectors should be used anytime service is performed on or near the drive axles. Failure to observe this could result in joint or seal failure.
Place a modified inner drive joint seal protector on the drive axle joints.
If equipped, remove the ABS wheel speed sensor jumper harness.
Remove and discard the cotter pin, then loosen the nut from the ball stud.
Remove the pinch bolt and the control arm mounting bolts, then remove the control arm from the vehicle.
You are asking a LOT! The professional service manuals do not even provide a list of all the tools necessary to perform a particular job unless it requires anything other than basic hand tools. The only tool list you will get is a list of special service tools when they are required.
As for a detailed parts list, you will have to perform an inspection of the parts that you think need to be replaced and make the list according to your inspection. Then you must check with your local parts supplier to see what parts are available and how they are supplied. For example, with some vehicles, you can purchase just the control arm bushings if you have the special equipment required to press the old bushings out and the new bushings into the control arm. On other vehicles, the only way you can get the bushings is to purchase a complete control arm assembly.
I wish I could help you more than that, but with the information you have provided, it is impossible.
The steering gear box is worn out. And, there's probably worn front suspension components adding to the problem. You will need to check the following parts for looseness or movement: Idler Arm, Upper and Lower Ball Joints, Control Arm Bushings, Pitman Arm, Inner and Outer Tie Rod Ends, Front Hub Bearings. All of these can be replaced in your driveway with the exception of the Control Arm Bushings which are pressed in and require special tools to remove and install the bushings. If you can't replace all of them, concentrate your efforts on the following: Steering Box, Idler arm, and Control Arm Bushings. If you can afford to have all of them done, the front suspension would be factory fresh and should, with proper wheel alignment, drive like a new car.
Here are the instruction on how to replace your control arm bushing. please not that there is a special tool needed that you will need to get from you auto parts retailer. you can usually rent these tools.
Turn the control arm over in the arbor press, then position the
arm so that it is supported by the receiver tool MB-990799 as shown.
Position the new bushing into the control arm so it is square
with the bushing hole. Position the installer tool MB-6644-1 or
equivalent on top of the bushing, with the bushing setting in the
recessed area of the installer tool. Press the bushing into the control
arm.
Press the control arm bushing
into the control arm until the installer tool squarely bottoms against
the surface of the control arm. When the installer tool squarely bottoms
on the control arm, the bushing is installed in the arm in the correct
position.
Install the tension strut into the strut bushing in the control
arm. Position the tension strut in the control arm with the word FRONT
stamped in the tension strut positioned away from the control arm. With
an open end wrench on the flat of the tension strut to stop the tension
strut from turning. Tighten the NEW tension strut-to-control arm
retaining nut to 110 ft. lbs. (150 Nm).
Install the lower control arm and tension strut back onto the
vehicle. Refer to the Lower Control Arm procedure earlier in this
section.
Control Arm-to-Tension Strut Bushing
To replace the control arm tension strut bushing,
the control arm and tension strut assembly must be removed. The removal
of the bushing requires the use of an arbor press.
Thoroughly lubricate the replacement tension strut bushing,
control arm and installer tool 6644-3 or equivalent with a silicone
lubricant.
By hand, install the tension strut bushing into the large end of
the installer tool. Press the bushing into the installer tool as far as
it will go by hand.
Position the control arm in the arbor press so that the tension
strut hole in the control arm is centered on the receiver tool MB-990799
or equivalent. Position the installer tool with the previously
installed bushing, inside of the tension strut bushing hole in the
control arm. Position the installer tool on top of the tension strut
bushing. Using the arbor press, press the tension strut bushing into the
control arm. As the bushing is being pressed into the arm, a pop will
be heard. When the pop is heard, the installer tool will slightly move
up off the control arm. At this time remove the control arm assembly
from the press and pull the tool MB-6644-3 off of the tension strut
bushing in the control arm.
Since the new arm comes with the bushings, there is no reason to get the tool to install them. Upper arms are relatively easy to install...just a bolt out, bolt in operation as the springs aren't involved. Support the suspension under the lower control arm to take any tension off the upper arm.
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