upper control arm bushing

[trbojo]

i am going to replace my melted pass. side upper control arm bushing in two weeks. it looks like a pretty tight fit between the arm and the down pipe. does the pipe have to be removed or can you sneak the arm out? yes, i did buy the heat shield from kirban's!! i don't want to do this too often! how often do you guys normally have to replace them?

 

[sumnerw]

When I rebuilt my front end about two years ago, I removed the downpipe. It's not hard to do and the extra room is worth it IMHO. I used the Global West bushings and put a heat shield in so I expect them to last just about forever. The improvement in handling from soft and/or deteriorated bushings to a tight front end was simply amazing and a real pleasure to drive! I did the rear end too (box kit and LT1 bushings) and, I must say, a tight rear end is a real pleasure too! (ha ha)

Good luck,
Buzz White in Houston, TX (sumnerw@flash.net)

 

[BJM]

I did my front end 2 years ago as well and I never went near the down pipe at all. Buy a nice 18 mm wrench though.

 

[galoush]

I Put in a Solid steel Bushing that has a grease fitting to solve that problem . I got it from a Stock car parts place . Other than that it fits and is for the stock control arm . So far so good . Did front a few months ago . It was $8

 

[salvageV6]

I use the Moog rubber ones, easier without the pipe for sure.

Mines on studs so it goes on and off quickly, well almost quickly.

They are good for about 70K miles or 8 years, whichever comes first.

With a shield.