Lower Control Arm Bushings

[Big T]

I started in on the GMT 800 front brake conversion project. Have the front disassembled, but I want to replace the lower control arm bushings. It's been a few years since I last did this on my son's '94 K2500 and my memory is foggy. Can I remove the bolts for the control arms, lower then and try to pop out the bushings with it still on the truck? Or do I need to remove the control arms from the torsion bar?

In my son's case, I could not remove the torsion bars, nor the control arms, so I removed the entire assembly like a goal post by sliding one side of the crossmember forward and one to the rear until it cleared the frame. I then used a bottle jack and some chain to pop out the bushings and hammered in the new ones. No amount of heat and BFH was going to remove those arms from the torsion bars.

I have the torsion bar release clamp. Vehicle is up on jack stands with lower arms hanging. Do I need to use the clamp?

 

[Big T]

Alright, got the lower arm off the passenger side relatively easy. Removed axle at front differential and that rear bolt slid past easily. Rear bolt on driver's side is frozen in the bushing sleeve. Tried pounding it out with a BFH, but no go. It's soaking right now. Can only get a box wrench on it due to differential clearance. Not enough torque. Old guys don't rule.

 

[Big T]

In the process of dropping the differential for clearance. Down to front upper bolt on driver's side.

 

[Big T]

Got both the lower arms off. They're at a shop getting the bushings and ball joints pressed in.

 

[Big T]

Just a few things left to tidy up and this project is done.

 

[FellowTraveler]

Nice indeed!