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control arm bushing replacement 1999 grand prix gt

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djamp1983

New member
Sometime in the near future i'm going to help by brother replace the bushings on his control arms. On previous cars i've owned, i've replaced the control arms so i have some experience with the process, but when i looked in the haynes manual for his car, it said that to replace the bushings the arms have to be taken to a dealer because a special tool is required to remove the old bushings. I just have a couple questions: How "special" is the tool? and, how much risk is there of damaging the arms if i rig something up to do it myself. I have 2 years of classes as a mechanical engineer at Michigan Tech, so i know my way around a shop, and i have enough common sense to stop doing something if it looks like the part is going to break. I'm just hoping to save some time and not build a tool that won't work.
 


i didn't look too hard at the ball joints, but they didn't seem to be bad. i'll take a closer look next time i'm under the car. thanks.
 
sounds like a compelling enough consensus to me. what about replacing the joint where the sway bar attaches to the arm? it's a cheap enough part, should i just replace it while i've got everything apart?
 


sway bar links.

I dont think they come with the control arms.

I'd pick up two new moog end links.

They should be under $10 each.

Its ALMOST worth replacing the inner sway bar bushings while you're in there.

Theres the poly ones from ZZP that i'd suggest.

That or some stock replacements.
 
awesome, thanks. how much trouble will i have getting to the sway bar bushings. it was pretty cramped under there. I'm used to working on my samurai, so i'm used to having a lot of room to work with.
 
Yeah, i fugred on doing that. it's still going to be a bit of a challange... i've got a bum leg, and there's a very good reason our family calls my brother "mr. bad wrench."
 
Anybody removed and replaced themselves that could give cliff notes on how to do this job? Purchasing two new control arms Friday and I would like to have some notes while I do this.
 


all depends on what happens.

cliff notes is:

undo BJ bolt, undo other two bolts, remove, install, insert frame bolts then BJ nut.

If the front bushing spins.... you're doomed.
 
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