[dann]

Hi, I need to replace the lower control arm bushings on my 2003 2wd astro. I've had some creaking and sprayed the crap out of it with wd-40 and it went away for a couple months but the creaking came back. Are the energy suspension bushings any good? I don't have any special tools. My friend has some jack stands and a floor jack, I have basic hand tools. How hard are they to install?

thanks

 

[doyoulikeithere]

Hey Bud. If it has coil springs all you need is a coil compressor and some wrenches and a floor jack and axle stands. Oh and maybe a puller for the tie rod end. But, I think yo u might find the creaking comes from the coil where it sits in the cradle, or something else. anyways, supprt the van on axle stands, but not under the control arm. take off the wheel and tie rod end, compress spring carefully, place jack under control arm, undo pivot pin bolts. Haynes manual doesnt mention bushings in the pivots though. Hmmm. do you know how to check out your ball joints , idler arms, and stuff like that?

 

[dann]

Hi,
I know how to grease the parts you were asking about if thats what you mean..

I'm pretty sure the creaking comes from the bushings because the rubber is all cracked and nasty looking. I sprayed summore wd40 on it and it's gone right now. I wonder why they use crappy rubber for those parts :hm:

I flipped through the astro manual at autozone earlier and it says the control arm bushins need a special tool to push them out of the housing sleeve but the energy suspension instructions I downloaded says I can use a blowtorch(I have a propane soldering torch) to melt the rubber and clean it out. I think I can do that. But do I need a special tool to put the new poly bushings in or can I use a mallet to bang them in?

My friend also has a coil compressor, I'll borrow it too. I think I'm good to go...

 

[doyoulikeithere]

So, howd it go?

 

[doyoulikeithere]

So, howd it go? :chevy: :layrubber:

 

[Gary]

Yeah the poly bushings-no.I know a member that went that route and told me the squeaking from them drove him crazy.He ended up taking them back out.Tried to fit a grease fitting and still couldn't resolve it.

 

[zombie{[six]}]

Hi,
I know how to grease the parts you were asking about if thats what you mean..

I'm pretty sure the creaking comes from the bushings because the rubber is all cracked and nasty looking. I sprayed summore wd40 on it and it's gone right now. I wonder why they use crappy rubber for those parts :hm:

I flipped through the astro manual at autozone earlier and it says the control arm bushins need a special tool to push them out of the housing sleeve but the energy suspension instructions I downloaded says I can use a blowtorch(I have a propane soldering torch) to melt the rubber and clean it out. I think I can do that. But do I need a special tool to put the new poly bushings in or can I use a mallet to bang them in?

My friend also has a coil compressor, I'll borrow it too. I think I'm good to go...

Blow torch works....but it takes a long while and its EXTREMELY messy. not to mention the toxic plumes of smoke that chokes you.
Autozone has specialty tools you can rent for dirt cheap, and you get your money back when you bring the tool back
and WD-40 actually weakens the structure of rubber and increases the rate at which it breaks down

 

[Mat Mobile]

I've never heard of old bushings squeaking. Did they squeak from the beginning? But you'll probably tell me that spraying the WD40 on the bushings stopped the squeaking to prove your point...

Anyways, poly-bushings actually squeak a lot more. You have to make sure you put plenty of silicone grease (more is better than less).

Maybe you should try spraying a more "substantial" product than WD-40. Something like silicone spray.

I've changed my bushings for poly and its a really big job. I wouldn't do it just to get rid of squeaking...