Nathamatic

Hey, I have a question. Iam having a tire wear problem in the rear passenger side of my gs300. Checked the bushings and noticed the the upper control arm bushings are cracking. Can I just replace the bushings or do I have to replace the whole arm?

EITELS123

You can do the bushings. They are a complete PAIN. you have to drop the subframe to get to them. If your going to do it get these.

http://shopfigs.com/v1/index.php?rou...product_id=110

marshun

but you should check the ball joint while youre there. its easier to replace the whole arm along with the ball joint

baconcake

Do you have to drop the subframe to get the control arm out? Is it not possible to get a socket wrench in there to remove the bolts? And has anybody removed the ball joint with a pitman arm puller? Or is the pickle fork really the only way?

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

i would replace the whole arm than just the ball joint... its up to you.. .

fj40ih8mud

I am working on my sc430, same rear setup. I was able to get the rear out. The rear nut was very hard to get to, and I have no idea how I am going to get the washer and nut back on, but it is in my hand now.

I have the loose bushings in hand, and trying to figure out how best to press them in. I have never pressed into aluminum. Thinking the freeze the busing, heat the aluminum arm trick.

Suggestions appreciated.

Nathamatic

Thanks everyone

baconcake

How did anyone remove the rear upper control arm bushings? can someone please explain how to do it? With pictures maybe?

EITELS123

Ball joint press, bushing driver set and deep impact socket. Also a torch to heat the arms.
Step 1: remove arm
Step 2: clamp in vise
Step 3: Set the press and correct driver over the bushing.
Step 4: heat arm till bushing starts smoking
Step 5: tighten clamp and hope for it to start moving.
Step 6: if you run out of press length add a deep impact socket.

If you have never done a ball joint or bushing replacement, I would strongly recommend having a shop press out the bushings for you. As to replace the are is close to $700

baconcake

I finished replacing the rear upper control arms with FIGS poly bushings today. Overall it wasn't too bad of a job, initially trying to loosen the bolts was hard but it just took patience. Reaching up and around to hold and mess with the washer and nut wasn't too bad either for me. I had a shop press out my old bushings.

marshun

arent the stock upper arms aluminum? (i have silk roads and i dont remember)

but if they are aluminum, i wouldnt heat them up. just press them out.

baconcake

I had a shop press them out. I don't think they heated them up, there's some gouges around the side probably because they had to use an air chisel to lift the lip on one side in order to press them out.