Control arm bushing

[Keystone742]

I took my 2000 Venture in for an alignment today and was told that I need to have the control arm bushing replaced @ $600.00! The wrench said this is a common problem with the Venture types, but it’s the first I have ever heard about it. Has anyone else?
Any idea what’s involved in doing it yourself? I did the intake manifold casket thing myself in the garage, and I’m not afraid to turn a few wrenches, just don’t want to get in over my head or lose my wallet. Thanks.

[scottnhalifax]

600 is alot of money to change thoose. and yes it is a problem on all chev cars and vans with the same front end. the bushing's crack and then the tech will have to call em. not a bad job to change. undo ball joint and the sway link, then undo control arm bolts. drop the control arm and if you have the right size socket stick it in a vise or take it to a shop and get it pressed out. we sell the bushing at my work for about 30 dollars.
enjoy
scott

[srlbotanical]

I also have the 2000 venture and my control arm bushings are bad. It started with a noticeable "clunk" that would occur when turning over a curb into a driveway. Now it happens quite often when turning sharp.

I just ordered the bushings and got a call today that they are in. There is a separate front and rear bushing. as mentioned above, you have to get the new ones pressed in. I am planning on doing this myself with a big vise and odds/ends.

These are the GM part numbers for the two bushings:
10255029
10264395

The cost was $9.81 and $9.64 respectively.

A lot of shops will just recommend replacing the whole control arm, I guess its easier and quicker then replacing the bushings, so that may be why the shop gave you such a high quote.

Anyway, I am doing this job this weekend, so I will post back and let you know how it goes.

Steve

[srlbotanical]

OK, I finished this job today. I only had to replace the front vertical bushings, and they were totally shot. The rear horizontal bushings were fine, I can't see how they would ever go bad. My local Mechanic has a press and he pressed the new bushings in for $20.

So, less than $40 and a good afternoon worth of work. This is not a big project at all.

The hardest thing was getting the ball joints loose. I finally figured out (thanks to my Mechanic neighbor) that the wheel can be turned all the way to one side which exposes an area of the spindle that you can beat with a hammer. A few hard whacks and the ball joint drops right out of the spindle.

Anyway, If I had to do this again I think I could have it apart and back together in about 2 or three hours.

Hope that helps.

Steve