grassyknoll

As the title says, how the heck do you get that sucker in? I've change out all the rest of the upper an lower control arms/bushings but the one going into the axle housing is giving me fits.
It's an oem bushing and sleeve.
Press? BFH?
And yes, I did try searching before posting this.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

96_xj

check out my write up. full with pictures and a step by step

http://www.cherokeetech.com/VBull/sh...ng-Replacement

grassyknoll

Maybe I used the wrong term, your write up looks like what I thought was the LCA. I'm having trouble with the bushing that is pressed into the top of the front diff housing.

Metmknice

I recommend the ironman4x4fab bushing. Has a sleeve and a 2 piece bushing insert.

grassyknoll

Well, I already have the oem bushng ready to go in, just not sure what tool or technique to use to seat it.

96_xj

that is the upper control arm bushing on the axle.......

it is the passenger side (which is the same process as the drivers side.....)
the passenger side is the steel, drivers side is the cast into the pumpkin... Same process


Nominated

96_xj

btw off topic real quick. I grew up in Yuba City and we have 8 acres of property off of Bell road just past the 4 way with Joeger Rd.

Okay back on topic.

as pictured in my link.

just use a ball joint press and a 1 5/16" socket to help as well

grassyknoll

96_XJ,

Nice area, that's only a few blocks from my house.

Got it on the uca, looks like I need to rent a press.

Thanks.

Bugsy

You'd be surprised how freakin difficult it is to find a press for this application in my area. I am pitifully ill-equipped to tackle this job but I'm forced to try. It took a good deal of elbow grease (and more than a good deal of profanity) to get the old bushing out and now I'm struggling with the task of getting that bushing in with nothing even closely resembling the proper tools.
I am very mechanically inclined but, as I said before, ill-equipped to tackle this. I am in the process of re-purposing a C-clamp and 1-1/2" sockets in lieu of a proper press. The biggest issue I have now is available space to work in...those damn springs are the biggest obstacle and I have but one spring compressor (ill-equipped rears it's ugly head again).
I'll repost if and when I conquer this problem.

Bugsy

Well I got the new bushing in. I broke down and got some coil spring compressors (I am such a cheapskate) and got the coil out of the way. I ruined the C-clamp...being too big for the space, it never could get at the bushing straight on and I ended up bending the spindle to an unusable degree.
I rummaged through my unnecessarily messy collection of tools and came out with a gear puller (2 arm).

It wasn't quite what I wanted but with a socket on the end of the spindle and another larger one with a piece of metal to cover the full pushing surface of the bushing, I got the bushing in.


I guess perseverance payed off in spite of the fact that I'm low on funds at the moment. Better than paying a mechanic exorbitant shop rates later.

AZcherokeeXJ

Bugsy,

Thanks for the pictures, I too am a novice mechanic and I was mortified to see what the shops were going to charge me to replace my same bushings, with your brilliant idea of using a gear puller to remove and install has inspired me to give it the o'l college try. I'll post pictures of my experience when I get started.

AZcherokeeXJ
Phoenix, AZ

RenegadeT

I've only changed these once, someone recommended putting the bushings in the freezer overnight. I did, it was still a PITA, but I got it done with a BFH, BJ press, and a homebrew press (long screw, nuts, sockets, spacers, plate, washers)

Bugsy

Suffice to say...a healthy supply of lithium grease is recommended to go with that elbow grease. I makes the task so much easier.

Slick761

Yes, ball joint press

AZcherokeeXJ

This was an excellent idea of how to install and remove upper control arm bushings but like someone said on this forum BE CAREFUL because the amount of foot pound pressure being placed on that gear puller will make it explode as is what happened to me. Luckily my son and I were not hurt, just scared s**tless but it was a cool explosion. I recommend to anyone using this method to improve their gear puller by fabricating some stronger, thicker plates (refer to picture) made from AMERICAN steel and you wont have this same outcome as I did.


Hmmm. never mind. Sorry I can't seem to upload my pictures for some reason. Give me some time and I will figure it out soon.