Date:         Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:53:06 -0400
Reply-To:     Wesley Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Wesley Pegden <wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU>
Subject:      Control Arm Bushings (do I need to WELD?)
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I've got the very squeaky symptoms of what I guess is probably upper
control arm bushings.  Coming from the passenger's side.

Just for fun, I tried spraying them with some penetrating lubricant...
no change.

My plan was...
Replace the bushings on both sides...
do the upper ball joints while I'm at it (boots are torn, otherwise they
seem okay)

I wasn't going to do anything else right now (lower ball joints boots
are intact on both sides, and the lowers are a PITA, right?)

My questions:
Is there something else I really should do at the same time?
Does it make sense to change out the driver's side bushings as well even
though they're not making any noise?

and finally... what is the current thinking on welding the bushings into
place?  Necessary or not?  Am I going to have to take them somewhere to
get pressed in and out anyways?  What are the best options for where to
take them? (NAPA?  gas station?)

This is all on an 83.5 (westy) with ~90,000 miles.

Thanks!
-Wes