Upper control arm bushings are a PITA!!!!!!

[Triathlete]

So, right now I sit with my thinking cap on. I have the passenger side front end torn down (the east part). But I am stumped as to how to get the bushing out...it is in there good! Since you can not get the control arm out completely unless you disconnect the brake line room to work is limited. The manual shows a "special tool" to remove them. I obviously don't have access to one. I have tried prying, twisting, BFH, c-clamps...
Anyone have any ideas? I will check back in a few...back to see what I can come up with. If you have any ideas lets hear 'em.

[Triathlete]

Ttt

[Marlin]

Use a socket to tap em out? I haven't looked at em so I have no idea, I would just take the brake line off, it only takes about 15 seconds to do that, then a few minutes later to bleed em.

[Triathlete]

Socket won't work. Removes from the inside out and there is a shaft (folcrum pin) in the center. Section 3c of the manual shows it.

[Triathlete]

Also, I am at a point of no return...I can not put it back as was. The inners of the current bushing pretty much disintegrated during the tear down.

[Triathlete]

Well, the sun is setting so I am calling it quites for the night. In the AM I will disconnect the brake lines, completely remove the control arm and have better access with the BFH.

[Ldub]

I'm guessing that you might have to have them pressed out/in.

[Triathlete]

Pressed...BFH...same thing!

[Marlin]

Pressed...BFH...same thing!

Ball joint separator, BFH, same thing...

[Hotsauce]

Dremel with cutoff wheel?

Post a picture of the situation, and maybe we can come up with a solution.

John C.

[Triathlete]

Dremel with cutoff wheel?

Post a picture of the situation, and maybe we can come up with a solution.

John C.

Once I get the arm off completely tomorrow If all else fails that may be an option.

[Bob Barker]

Are they burnable? I've had to burn/melt some bushings out before in another vehicle... maybe if you don't want to take the control arm out and don't want to put a flame into the wheel well you could get an industrial heat gun and kinda melt them, or at least soften them to a slippery point?

[Ascinder]

Sorry if I missed this, but was your bushing shot Billy or are you finally going for the SAS option? I wish I remembered how I got mine out.

[Triathlete]

The bushing is toast. The bushing is a metal sleeve, rubber and a metal outter shell. The rubber part was 70% gone. I have the sleeve out, just need to get the shell out.11 years and 140,000 miles have it stuck pretty good. Going to get started on it as soon as I refueling the body from my morning run.
Bob B...everything that is burnable is gone. I have speedy took a torch to it to see if the heat would loosen things up...did nothing.

[Triathlete]

Well ,here is where I currently sit. Disconected the brake lines, abs wire unplugged, and got the control arm out. Those bushings are going nowhere without the removle tool or a press! So, we're off to the local auto machine shop. $30 to remove and press in the new ones. Said he could have them done in an hour or two. Then I get to throw it all back together and bleed the brakes.