Anyone ever replace front control arm bushings?

[wagoner]

The rubber bushing in the front control arm of my 2002 LeSabre are worn out. New control arms are a little less than two hundred dollars each, which is a lot for me to invest in this old car. I sourced some new bushing on eBay for about sixty dollars, and I spent another twenty for a threaded rod and some other parts to rube goldberg a bushing press. The bearing press didn't work. At all. So I tried to pound the old bushing out, but it isn't moving. I took some pictures. Any ideas? Do I have to spend the money for new control arms?


Here is another picture with the nice new bushing.

Could it be burned out with a torch? I think everything is aluminum and rubber.

 

[02LTD2.0]

That's why most people replace the entire control arm. They come with the ball joint installed which is a definite plus!!!

 

[jotzgr]

What brand are you trying to buy? Mevotech (good brand) are $83/each on RockAuto. I used Dorman on two different Lesabres and have never had an issue - $53/each. Not worth the effort to try and replace the bushings. I think I even have a third set in the garage that I bought just in case I needed again.

 

[wagoner]

Hmm. I just asked at my local parts store. The last time I tried Rock Auto they waited around for a week and then decided that my item was out stock. You are right though, they have some controls arms real cheap. Definitely isn't worth trying to replace the bushing.

 

[jotzgr]

I have been using RockAuto for probably 20+ years and have never once had that happen. Usually everything comes much quicker than their estimated delivery date.

 

[lilpoindexter]

I bought this bushing tool from amazon to do the rears. about $120. I have a fleet of projects/ junkers to work on, so i kick myself for not having bought the tool sooner.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPYD234W?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[90sbuickrescue]

If you already bought the new bushings, one way it could be done if you don't have a press with the perfectly sized attachment is to remove the inside of the old bushing however you can and then cut through the outer sleeve from the inside with a sawzall. Or even a hacksaw if you didn't want to risk cutting into the arm, just feed the blade through and then re connect it. Doing that would make it much easier to remove, since it would no longer be a compression fit in the arm. Then the challenge would be pushing the new one in without deforming it.