Upper Control Arm Bushings

Have a '97 AWD and replacing the upper control arm bushings with Energy Suspension. Energy Suspension only provides the poly shells for the upper bushings and the sleaves (?) from the old bushing need to be reused. Problem: appears the factory sleaves do not seperate for bushing removal/replacement without self destructing. Anyone else have this issue when replacing their upper control arm bushings?

I hate to lay more $$ out for a quality (?) part that I've already purchased.

thanks

Have you tried to heat the sleaves with a torch and chisel out the old bushing?

Wish I had a picture to show, but appears the factory outer shells are formed as one piece and when attempting to remove either end of the shell, the entire shell is damaged beyond reuse.

Wish I had a picture to show, but appears the factory outer shells are formed as one piece and when attempting to remove either end of the shell, the entire shell is damaged beyond reuse.

May I ask why you are replacing them?

If your front end is clunking, check out this thread.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=302656

That doesn't sound like a very viable part.

I imagine that the only way to get them out is to burn them out. I would put the oxy torch on them and burn out the rubber. I used to do that with undershield before welding cars in the good old days in the UK. When the part cools down the remainder of the rubber might well be brittle enough to clean it all out. Pressing the new rubber part into that old metal sleeve may well present you with another problem. People use hair lacquer as a lubricant when fitting handlebars rubbers on bikes so that might work. It dries and sets up.

Good luck - you are a brave man

Mark

Thanks for the replies, appears that Energy Suspension Upper Control Arm bushings are not useable for the '95-'04 4WD Blazer.

According to Energy Suspension, "Uppers must reuse existing outer shells and all hardware;" "You burn the rubber out, clean the shell, and install the bushing."

The problem with this is that the existing outer shells have an integrated, serrated (sp?) washer at each end that must be removed. Of course, removal of the washer destroys the shell. Guess that is why the MOOG replacements come with the shell and integrated washers. Unfortunately, the MOOG's are rubber and not poly :frown: !

BlazerLT, the upper control arm bushings were shot (along with the upper ball joint and sway bar end links). So, while I'm in there, figured I'd be smart :disappoin and replace with poly from Energy Suspension (along with new KYB shocks; and MOOG upper and lower ball joints)

this may sound stupid but I'm having a hard time locating the upper bushings in my 1997 4wd blazer any one help me please:frown:

This site should help you locate bushings:
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/08/7d/ea/0900823d80087dea/repairInfoPages.htm

GM R series is full size 2WD and uses coil springs. All T series (4WD) use torsion bars, not springs. The location is essentially the same but repair procedures are totally different.

this may sound stupid but I'm having a hard time locating the upper bushings in my 1997 4wd blazer any one help me please:frown:
thread is over a year and a half old. please check the thread dates before posting.