Poly Bushing replacement, suggestions.

[LunchboxCritter]

I have racing beat sway bar endlinks, energy suspension poly master kit, and mmr dtss eliminators.

My question is for people who have swapped any or all of these bushings. Is there any suggestions (personal experiences appreciated), tips, tricks, specialty tools, etc.

Is a press a neccesity? If so how big 12, 20 ton (would one from Harbor Freight work)?

Would these be needed, helpful, or requred?
http://www.harborfreight.com/7-piece...set-66989.html

Any helpful suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

[Nismo]

Only ones you might need a press for are the ones in the rear control arms, and when putting the bushings in the rear trailing arm you have to knock a sleeve out, the instructions from Energy Suspension do no tell you this.

[LunchboxCritter]

Originally Posted by Nismo

Only ones you might need a press for are the ones in the rear control arms, and when putting the bushings in the rear trailing arm you have to knock a sleeve out, the instructions from Energy Suspension do no tell you this.

Thank you that probably saved me a good half hour of head scratching, and knuckle banging.

[Howru]

All the bushings in the ES kit can be pressed in by hand, so you don't really need a press. Some of them like to slowly pop out, mainly the sway bar end link bushings. If they don't fit, try pressing them together again.

Careful when popping off the lateral links. I almost screwed up the threads getting it out with a hammer and various extensions/sockets/brass drifts. Use a ball joint puller if you have it.

For most of the bushings I just took a propane torch and cooked them until the center part fell out. The rest of the rubber bits get scraped out or torched again.

[TitaniumTT]

Originally Posted by Nismo

Only ones you might need a press for are the ones in the rear control arms, and when putting the bushings in the rear trailing arm you have to knock a sleeve out, the instructions from Energy Suspension do no tell you this.

True Story

Originally Posted by LunchboxCritter

Thank you that probably saved me a good half hour of head scratching, and knuckle banging.

More than that I bet

That bearing race install kit is not necessary, nor is the press. I'm of the mind nowadays that everyone should have one regardless though. If you're going to get a press, get a bearing seperator as well, it will work wonders on the rear bushing in the front lower control arm, that little mother is a bitch to get off. I'm picking one up next time I'm in Jersey with my truck, press and seperator. I've seen the 20 ton and the 12 ton and used both, go for the 20.

Also the 10 piece installer set found here is a good set. Used it a bunch
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piec...set-95853.html

[LunchboxCritter]

Thanks Titanium, I was looking at that set in the store the other day. I wasn't sure if the sizes were what I need, but I'll pick one up now. Thanks for the heads up.

I'm still torn between getting a press or not.

I might to make life a little easier.

Then again since it's not neccesary I may save my money and space. I've got an engine hoist now, that I hopefully won't need again, but I'm scared to sell it because, as sure I do, I'll need it for a rebuild.