LOST JEEPS :: View topic - Replacing LCA bushings and balljoints

SBrooks wrote:

I'll soon be replacing the bushings (arm-to-body and strut fork) and balljoints in the LCAs on my '06 4x4 CRD. I'll be replacing the entire UCAs with ones from JBA. After doing a forum search, I've found plenty of info about the LCA bushings/balljoints in general, but not much about how to actually remove/replace them into the arm. I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations that can be given as to how to do this and what tools/etc to use.

Steve

The lower ball joint requires someone to hold the arm while the other pounds it out with a BFH. Then you need a ball joint press that can be rented from autozone to push the new one in. Its very simple. I removed the steering knuckle and brought it to a shop. I paid $20 to have him remove the old ball joint and press the new one in. I had no help and some things are cheap enough to not be bothered with.

It may also be easier to replace the LCA than remove and replace the bushings. They are usually a nightmare to swap. The new unit will come with new bushings. Check the price of a new LCA vs new bushings and you decide if the savings is worth the hassle.

Author:	SBrooks [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 11:12 am ]
Post subject:	Replacing LCA bushings and balljoints
I'll soon be replacing the bushings (arm-to-body and strut fork) and balljoints in the LCAs on my '06 4x4 CRD. I'll be replacing the entire UCAs with ones from JBA. After doing a forum search, I've found plenty of info about the LCA bushings/balljoints in general, but not much about how to actually remove/replace them into the arm. I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations that can be given as to how to do this and what tools/etc to use. Steve

Author:	spitfire36o [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Replacing LCA bushings and balljoints
SBrooks wrote: I'll soon be replacing the bushings (arm-to-body and strut fork) and balljoints in the LCAs on my '06 4x4 CRD. I'll be replacing the entire UCAs with ones from JBA. After doing a forum search, I've found plenty of info about the LCA bushings/balljoints in general, but not much about how to actually remove/replace them into the arm. I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations that can be given as to how to do this and what tools/etc to use. Steve The lower ball joint requires someone to hold the arm while the other pounds it out with a BFH. Then you need a ball joint press that can be rented from autozone to push the new one in. Its very simple. I removed the steering knuckle and brought it to a shop. I paid $20 to have him remove the old ball joint and press the new one in. I had no help and some things are cheap enough to not be bothered with. It may also be easier to replace the LCA than remove and replace the bushings. They are usually a nightmare to swap. The new unit will come with new bushings. Check the price of a new LCA vs new bushings and you decide if the savings is worth the hassle.

Author:	tjkj2002 [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Replacing LCA bushings and balljoints
spitfire36o wrote: SBrooks wrote: I'll soon be replacing the bushings (arm-to-body and strut fork) and balljoints in the LCAs on my '06 4x4 CRD. I'll be replacing the entire UCAs with ones from JBA. After doing a forum search, I've found plenty of info about the LCA bushings/balljoints in general, but not much about how to actually remove/replace them into the arm. I'd greatly appreciate any recommendations that can be given as to how to do this and what tools/etc to use. Steve The lower ball joint requires someone to hold the arm while the other pounds it out with a BFH. Then you need a ball joint press that can be rented from autozone to push the new one in. Its very simple. I removed the steering knuckle and brought it to a shop. I paid $20 to have him remove the old ball joint and press the new one in. I had no help and some things are cheap enough to not be bothered with. It may also be easier to replace the LCA than remove and replace the bushings. They are usually a nightmare to swap. The new unit will come with new bushings. Check the price of a new LCA vs new bushings and you decide if the savings is worth the hassle. You do know that you can also use a ball joint press to press the old LBJ's out and not just in right?You will need more then just the standard cups that most kits come with though. As far as the LCA bushings I agree,it is easier to just swap the whole LCA.That's what I did years ago but at the time brand new OEM LCA's were only $175 each and now I think they are over $300 each.I bought the new bushings,and the OEM special tools to replace them,broke the tool in 30 seconds and returned all the bushings and bought new LCA's.The dealership wanted $1200 to replace the bushings,that's how much they did not want to do them as I asked just for laughs.

Author:	fratichelli [ Tue Feb 14, 2012 2:09 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Replacing LCA bushings and balljoints
I found that the standard kit that I rented from Advanced Auto parts was missing one cup to press it out. I know you can just get a pipe nipple of the correct size and it will work. The Long Island guys and I found out that it was much easier to work with the Steering Knuckle held in a bench vise. I guess we could have used a BFA to knock the old one out, but it was getting late and I figured it was safer to press the old one back in and attempt it another day.

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