replacing bushings / on track bar, upper / lower control arms

[Obiwanshinobi]

I need to change bushings on the track bar and the upper / lower control arms.
Has anyone used a balljoint service kit? On Youtube, people use hydraulic press, but living in a small apt in Brooklyn, I don't have much space to work. Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

 

[clx16]

I used a press. However you might get away with pushing them out with a bottle jack under a vehicle... In other words you can find on youtube people pushing in bushings using the weight of the vehicle and a bottle jack pushing up against a bushing and something solid like a receiver hitch. I don't know if the vehicle is heavy enough though, but that depends on your bushings and how stuck they are. Some people drill out the rubber and then use a saw to cut in to the outer sleeves. still going to need the downward pressure to push new ones in and then you are back to trying to use the balljoint kit and a bottle jack under the vehicle.

Remember there are mechanics who will press out and in bushings for a lower cost if that is all they are doing. so You might ask around.

I think for a shop press. most people recommend a 20ton not a 12ton if that gives you an idea. You might consider asking around to see if you can use someone's press, even if it is someone who is in your local Land cruiser club.

 

[Batameez]

If your 80 spent time in NY or anywhere close you will not get those bushings out with a press, at least without creating a projectile hazard and/or distorting the bore to where a new bushing won't achieve a proper press fit. Air hammer will definitely distort something too. Been there done this. Holesaw the rubber out, then sawzall a relief slit in the outer bushing sleeve. Then it can be chiseled out the bore. This won't be fun doing it outside in the current weather.

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

I used a press. However you might get away with pushing them out with a bottle jack under a vehicle... In other words you can find on youtube people pushing in bushings using the weight of the vehicle and a bottle jack pushing up against a bushing and something solid like a receiver hitch. I don't know if the vehicle is heavy enough though, but that depends on your bushings and how stuck they are. Some people drill out the rubber and then use a saw to cut in to the outer sleeves. still going to need the downward pressure to push new ones in and then you are back to trying to use the balljoint kit and a bottle jack under the vehicle.

Remember there are mechanics who will press out and in bushings for a lower cost if that is all they are doing. so You might ask around.

I think for a shop press. most people recommend a 20ton not a 12ton if that gives you an idea. You might consider asking around to see if you can use someone's press, even if it is someone who is in your local Land cruiser club.

Thanks for your suggestion. I think I will reach local mechanics since I don't think bushings on my TLC ever changed, and since it lived in east coast all the time, it's quite rusty. First I need to get them out off the body!

 

[Batameez]

Thanks for your suggestion. I think I will reach local mechanics since I don't think bushings on my TLC ever changed, and since it lived in east coast all the time, it's quite rusty. First I need to get them out off the body!

Depending on the rust it may be easier to get used arms and install new bushings. Choose mechanics wisely. Plenty of bad characters "fixing" cars in NYC.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

I used a 12ton press with a southern vehicle. The press loaded up to the point the top beam was deflecting and I had to start the bushing moving by smacking the top beam with a Big A$$ dead blow hammer.

Just to provide some perspective.

I also slathered the bores with never-seez before putting the new bushings in. Should help with removal the next time.