changing control arm bushes on jzz30

[crazymax]

hey guys.

just after anyone thats done the change on there soarers front lower control arm bushes. what bushes did u use?
price?
how long it take u?
any probs that u ran into?
also looking at doing steering arm bushes at same time.
im no mechanic, only simple stuff so should i take this on?

any help would be great
thanks
nick

[o_man_ra23]

Im not 100% sure on the soarers, but most control arm bushes are press in fit type. This means that the most you can do is take the control arms off, take them into a suspension specialist, have them press out the old bushes and press the new ones in, and then re-install the control arms yourself. To get ball joints off easily, take the nut off the top, and hit the plate that the ball joint shaft goes through with a hammer to pop the ball joint off. This will create the least damage to anything. Be wary of ball joint separators as ive found they damage the grease boot of the ball joints more often than not.

Have a read of the rubber vs poly bushes thread, this will help you to decide what type of bush to use, maintenance issues and installation issues. As for a price, ring up your local suspension specialist and ask around. They should be cheaper than a parts supplier.

Cheers, Owen

[crazymax]

thanks owen. yeah started to read that tread. will have to read it all

im waiting on a quote from pedders to do the lot
see what they come up with

[o_man_ra23]

Try fulcrum as well, they are usually a lot lighter on the pocket, and just as good. In fact, try everywhere you can, doesnt hurt to get quotes from everyone.

Cheers, Owen

[crazymax]

thinking vlamos too.

where can i get price for fulcrum?

[BlackSupra]

Have you seen these:

http://www.planetsoarer.com/upperbushes/upperbushes.htm

http://www.planetsoarer.com/bushes/bushes.htm

[manny]

A few URLs to help research

Soarer Lower Control Arm Bushes

Soarer Upper Contro Arm Bushes

And the preferred replacement rubber bush option for comfort and acceptable NVH just like Toyota originally fitted.
VFT Bushes

Not an easy DIY job on a Soarer - most of us have it done professionally as the old bushes need to be burnt out and the outer bush casing cut out and the use of a industrial bench press is required to fit the new bushes without damage.

Like myself, some guys get the cheaper polyurethane Superpro/Fulcrum bushes but end up ripping them out again and fitting VFT rubber bushes for the OEM comfort and quiet.

I've VFT bushes in both my Soarers and wouldn't have it any other way.

[o_man_ra23]

ring fulcrum for a price from fulcrum

Cheers, Owen

[crazymax]

nah hadnt seen them

well that just about answers everything then

thnks guys,
think i'll wait for pedders quote and get them to do it.
cheers
nick

[Hybrid]

for fulcrum bushes you can either get them from whiteline, fulcrum, or also AJPS can do very good prices.

http://www.ajps.com.au/

I got mine through David at AJPS for a very good price for my Supra (upper/lower control arm bushes).

[edwagon]

As manny has said, not an easy diy job, but if you're going urethane (rather than vlamos) then you can get away with installing them yourself as long as you have a decent vise mounted to a solid bench (and a bit of experience). I used a large socket and hammer to smash the original bush through, then collapsed it with a chisel once i had got it to move- you'll have to push it outwards because of the lip on the bushes. Its barbaric, but works well!. Burning them requires less violence, but the smell of burning rubber lingers too much so I avoid it if i can, and you still have to dig the old outer ring out- although its much easier with no bush, but it gets coated in molten rubber and makes a hell of a mess!

A compromise might be to remove the arms yourself and get the bushes swapped over by a shop- they are quite awkward and probably worth getting done unless you're ready for a fight!

the urethane replacements dont require a press, although the vlamos will.
Makes a HUGE difference to the feel of the car, very worthwhile doing!

[Hybrid]

and whatever you do , if you install them yourself don't forget to grease them like crazy, and don't tighten up the bolts unless the car is at ride height.

Actually just refer to this thread

http://www.toymods.net/forums/showthread.php?t=639

[crazymax]

well got my quote from pedders.
$600

thats $200- lower control arm bushes
$100 steering rack bushes
$250 labour
$50 wheel alignment

think i'll just do that.save me from braking something if i did it myself and i'd have to go buy aclamp anyway. so it would be heaps easier to get them to do it

thanks for ya help guys
nick

[Hybrid]

well got my quote from pedders.
$600

thats $200- lower control arm bushes
$100 steering rack bushes
$250 labour
$50 wheel alignment

think i'll just do that.save me from braking something if i did it myself and i'd have to go buy aclamp anyway. so it would be heaps easier to get them to do it

thanks for ya help guys
nick

$200 for just lower control arm bushes seems excessive?

I purchased upper & lower control arm bushes for the MA70 for $232 delivered... these are the same bushes as sold on the whiteline site.

Also from all the feedback I have read about pedders I would be inclined to go elsewhere.

[crazymax]

i didnt think it was so bad.... they are $366 from vlamos.

yeah ive heard a few things about them. also trying bowers. see what they say