Topic: upper control arm bushing replacement

[79coyotefrg]

Ok,  I'm going to be helping my son in law replace the upper control arm bushings in his 88 4runner.  I'm assuming I will need to back the torsion bars off but I wonder if there is a way to do it without removing the torsion bars

[junya92toy]

Well I would think all that is need is to undo the tension on them, not actually remove them? Even if you need to, its pretty simple, id just remove the back part that twist them and slide them back a little.

[79coyotefrg [OP]]

problem is when I tried to remove the lock nut (double nut) from the torsion bar a few months ago I couldnt get the dang nut loose.  maybe pull the body mount bolts and rais the drivers side of the body up till I can get to it from over the frame

[emsvitil]

You need to loosen them, then you can unbolt the yoke at the control arm.

[junya92toy]

Impact and you need to put a wrench on the top nut too

[IronClad]

going to have to use an impact or a really long bar. there is some serrious pressure on those nuts

[junya92toy]

OOOO and before you do it, spray them done with anti rust stuff, and get a set of new nuts and bolts incase you break them, I broke one when I put bigger T bars on mine

[79coyotefrg [OP]]

I dont remember there being enough room for an impact, I guess thats where the body lifting will help

[IronClad]

you use the impact from the bottom.. put a wrench on the top

[79coyotefrg [OP]]

you use the impact from the bottom.. put a wrench on the top

[OOPS]

Here is a link to the front-end section of the FSM.

http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/suspensionandaxle.html

The day before you do, it spray the torsion bar bolts/nuts with good penetrating oil like PB Blaster or KOIL (not WD-40).

Jack the front-end up and set it on jack stands with the tires off and the hanging down, this takes some of the pressure off the torsion bars. They will unscrew easier.

Good idea to have new nuts and bolts for the T-bars.

Refer to the FSM.

[Snowtoy]

Good idea to have new nuts and bolts for the T-bars.

X2, you are all but guaranteed to break one.  The bolts are/were a dealer only item when I replaced mine, fortunately my local one had one in stock(only one with 2oo miles) when I broke one swapping out bushings a few years ago.

[Rocksurfer]

If they haven't been messed with from new they will be a pain to free up especially in rust prone areas. PB Blaster helps a bunch in this but you still may end up needing new nuts and bolts. When I attack torsion bars for the 1st time on a new rig I will PB the crap out of them a few days in advance of trying them. Then just before trying I spray them again, but I am in a non rust belt area so it could be worse for you. Personally I've never snapped a bolt but remember they are under a lot of pressure so keep your hands clear of the nuts on the top. If you can try and remember how many turns you made in taking them off so that you can reload them close to the same.