Hey Guys, I always read the forum, but never seem to have much to contribute.
I have a 95 4runner @ 180K miles, and the upper control arm bushings are shot bad resulting in a positive camber.My question is if a reasonably mechanical guy can do this himself? Are there any do`s or donts?
Dealership wants 1000.00 for the work.

Recently I changed both my front half axles,and all four ball joints & rebuilt my starter.

Thanks for any help. I`d sure appreciate it..

Adam

IIRC, you need a special tool to punch out the bushings...

you might be better off buying spare upper arms from a low mileage 95...

Around here I probably wont find a used 4runner.The job itself actually looks easy. So the hard part looks like it will be who has the special tool to remove & install the bushings for me.
I was really hoping to do this myself ,and have enough left over for new shocks all around too.

BTW..Checked with the dealer today ..now they want 1400.00 including the allignment. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> Bushings are only 35 each.

Start with www.car-part.com for junkyard search. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Seemed to me on the older trucks that to take those bushings out ya just took a butane torch to 'em, if they're the ones I think they are.

Bookmark this one too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

http://toyota.spx.com/ Find the part number and prowl fleabay.

check with a indie local shop to see if they can R&R the bushings for you.

if you can remove them from the vehicle, then take it to the indie shop, it's gonna take like hour or so...

yeah, it's a silly job for the dealers to do... but in their manuals, it's like a 5 hour job or some insane proecedure they have to follow...

Sounds good guys ..Thanks for the input.
The more I look at this job the easier it gets.
I`ll just get the OEM bushings from toyota.
Leo, I will do just that. I`ll go around to shops beforehand to see who can do the R&R of the bushings once I have the arm assembly removed.
This is going to save me serious cash.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again...
adam

Hey Guys !!
Thought I`d chime in with an update.As you know, the Toyota Stealership wanted 1400.00 to replace my upper control arm bushing& allignment.
Well I bought the bushings(4) from Toyota for $175.00.
Yesterday I tore out the upper arms ,and sent them to Big O tires for the R&R of the bushings at a cost of $80.00 total.Then I reinstalled the arms yesterday afternoon & buttoned everything up.
I saved so much money I went ahead (since I was in there) and replaced my old bilsteins with a new set all the way around.
The allignment will be done this week.
Total cost of the upper arm bushings...$255.00 without allignment.I will probably spent 400.00 total all said `n done.
It was an easy job to do , but time consuming for someone that has not done it before.
Hell, the hardest job was putting in the rear shocks..what a F`n P.I.T.A...

Thanks for all the input guys,really appreciate it.

adam.

what? you didnt know you needed to use a wrench to hold the top of the stud while you loosen the nut????


lol...