so my front lca bushings are really worn out. mainly the one that the coil spring forks connect to. i purchased the energy suspension kit. i was wondering how i would go about replacing (taking out) the old bushings. the bushings that are in there right now seem to be fused with the control arm. a couple of friends told me to just burn them out then cut the metal part that holds it in but that seems way to sketchy. especially since i dont want to have to take out the whole control arm i was wondering if anyone knew of an easy way to remove the old bushings and install the new ones. would autozone have some sort of press i can rent to help push out the bushings?
as far as i know, burning is the only way. they are molded inside the lca without an external sleeve, so i don’t think they can be pressed out
i’ve replaced mines before, the only way that the new bushing will be able to go in is to press out the old one because there’s a metal sleeve around the worn rubber bushing that needs to come out, best bet is to take the control arms off and take it to a local shop with a press to see if they can do it for you
i think if i can find a socket that is the same diameter as the metal ring that holds in the rubber part of the bushing, i could just hammer it out? sounds good?? mabe? i think ill try it?
bad info, how do you think they are put in from the factory?
yes you can press them out as stated above by most eNVy’d but not a lot of people have access to a press, the other method is burning the rubber out and then cutting the sleeve with a hacksaw and then prying out the sleeve. pick your poison based on tool and facility availability.
haha. yeah, i was just in there today actually, swapping suspension and noticed the sleeve.
my bad
well it cant be that hard to pound out. ill try a socket and a hammer and if that doesnt work ill get a hack saw in there and cut that sleeve and bend it out
All you need is a press. That is after the socket and hammer fails of course, which it will. They are in there tighter than you think.
Lol, you are doing it wrong.
[QUOTE=Deceptakhan;2164289]All you need is a press. That is after the socket and hammer fails of course, which it will. They are in there tighter than you think.
Lol, you are doing it wrong.[/QUOTE]
i haven’t changed the lca bushings. i normally just go to the wreckers and find a nice clean unit and swap the whole thing since they’re usually all pretty much toast by that time. not a believer in the energy ones myself
i was actually just remembering how the trailing arm bushing is done. i apologize for the misinformation
edit Was meant for Nick
I have access to a press if need be. Just IM or email me and I can meet up with you, just have the pieces that need pressed out and the new bushings with you in hand. Has to be done this wendsday only. Thursday and friday I will be on the lake for seafair and saturday I leave for texas for 2 weeks. Shouldnt cost you more then maybe $20. $10 for gas and $10 to press.
lol. i work at a shop, bro. but appreciate the offer
[QUOTE=welfare;2164297]i haven’t changed the lca bushings. i normally just go to the wreckers and find a nice clean unit and swap the whole thing since they’re usually all pretty much toast by that time. not a believer in the energy ones myself
i was actually just remembering how the trailing arm bushing is done. i apologize for the misinformation[/QUOTE]
Lol no need for apologies, you are just trying to help.
this made me lol
a press is the easiest way
do what i did and buy a press from harbor freight (it was like $180 for a 20 ton)
that way you can do all the bushings at the same time (front rear control arms, camber arms) then just return it and get your money back 
does like, orileys or autozone have a tool i can rent or somthing? im trying to avoild taking off my lca. i dont have lots of tools and i know those bolts are on there really good.
well, you could use a ball joint press, possibly. it’s like a portable large “C” clamp with adapters that presses out cylindrical parts. but you’d need compressed air to make it effective. it would just be a PITA doing it under the vehicle like that though.
good chance the through bolts will be seized to the sleeves as well. in which case some heat would really be of aid. air tools would give it a better chance of breaking loose than by hand, but you’ll have to work with what you have, i suppose.
just blast those bolts down with some good penetrating oil the night before and have at er. all you need is a decent breaker bar, maybe a 3" extension, 14 and 17mm sockets, and a 17mm wrench. a pry bar would also help get it out and in instead of fighting with it
[QUOTE=da9leo;2164321]this made me lol
a press is the easiest way
do what i did and buy a press from harbor freight (it was like $180 for a 20 ton)
that way you can do all the bushings at the same time (front rear control arms, camber arms) then just return it and get your money back :P[/QUOTE]
i love harbor freight rentals, LOL! i rented punches when doing my clutch, thank god it lasted till i was done putting the pin back in and then broke. but i kept the 1/2" impact extensions 
///Nick, you’re better off taking the arm out for leverage with hand tools and if you want to replace all 3 bushings per arm. i know thats not what you want to hear, sorry.
Using a press took me 10 minutes for removing and install. I tried to burn it but it seem like I was getting nowhere. This press has been a good investment for me so far. My car is happy now with all the new bushings.
ended up doing my rears tonight. tried both methods. wadya know. sleeves were seized. ended up torching. lol. was actually really easy and fast. all about the technique
i think all of mine are siezed. they wont budge. does anyone have access to a machine press?? ive spent hours trying to pound thease out, and ive torched them with no luck.
I didn’t spend very much on my HF press (12ton), and it got all of my bushings done pretty quick (replaced with all OEM new):
The front LCAs 