Control Arm Bushing Replacement Help - 86' Linc. Town Car

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Recently got new tires on my Linc...took it in for alignment and was told my lower control arm bushing was bad (they said one) and wanted $250 to replace it....i kindly passed lol. I figured I'd turn to the help of the forum to see if i can complete this task myself...trying to slowly learn a little bit at a time.

Brakes were my last task...go new shoes, wheel cylinders and drums on the rear...new pads on the front and going up with new rotors and bearings soon.

Control arm bushings i have no clue about. Ive been researching all day online about them, saw a few videos so i can kinda wrap my head around what im doing, but can't find specific instructions for MY car.

The other thing is...im seeing there are also UPPER bushings and REAR bushing...yay! I'm flirting with the idea of replacing them all if its a doable task by a novice. I've found a fair amount of literature on doing it but, im a visual learner so if i could find some pics or video on how to go about it...that would be great.

ANY help would be appreciated...I'll be ordering from RockAuto.com and would like to get everything i need at once so i can save on shipping.

Thanks guys.

 

[inphx]

I think the good news is that you can get the control arm out of the car. On a 73 lincoln i did the bushings - i think a press would have helped much. I spent a day on it with a vice and mallet

Maybe consider taking the arm out walking in to a shop with the new bushings and have them do the remove and press.

I wasnt even as bright as this guy:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...neck-lower-control-arm-lca-bushing-press.html

 

[ovilla]

You're going to quickly find that buying a new "loaded" control arm (which comes with bushings already installed) is actually cheaper than having to install new rubber bushings onto your existing A-arms. Then again this is not a very difficult job.

Go to harbor freight and buy the 20 ton press on sale (or find a 20% coupon on the web for HF). Then remove the control arms from the car and press out or burn out (with a torch) the old bushings. Put the new bushings in the freezer overnight and then slip them in by hand the next day. If you are unable to slip them in, then spray them with some soapy water and then press them in with your new 20 ton press. You might also be able to press them in with your vice if if opens up far enough. Finally you can also "press" them in by using a long threaded rod with an oversized washer on each end.