toy4life86

iTrader: (4)

I bought the daizen bushings I bought:
OEM Replacement Sway Bar Bushing Kits
Steering Rack Bushing Kits
Control Arm Bushing Kits
OEM tie rod ends (Pair)
I was getting ready to install I think I need a Pitman arm puller for the upper control arm
But my question is how many of you guys bought the shop press and pressed them in yourselves or did you guys take them to a shop to get pressed
Any recommendations for Pressing shops in the Bay Area that wont be too much $ either

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

Don't know which part of the Bay area you are from, but this is a regional question, so you should post this question in the Northern California Regional forum.

Exact Motorsports has been installing the Daizen Bushings for years. They are the Sponsoring Vendor in NorCal forum section, so check the sticky there for more feedback on them and their contact info.

If you have yet to remove the old bushings, you will find this is waaay more of a chore than pressing in the new ones.

maximus54

iTrader: (4)

I didn't have many options for getting mine pressed out/in, so I went to NAPA and paid $20 per bushing. $180 for the set, overpriced but I needed it done. If you can get the old bushings out then you only need to get the caster arm bushing pressed in.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

If you have a hydraulic press and an air hammer, then getting the old bushings out is somewhat busy. To me, the hardest part is pressing the new caster bushing in.You can easily damage the lip of the bushing if you have insufficient lubrication.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Need a spare LCA to do the daizen upgrade? I got one for sale...

runyun

iTrader: (11)

I bought a Harbor Freight 12ton press for $110. And an air hammer for $10. Got the job done. You can rent a pitman arm puller from autozone for $10-$15.
Of course you'd need a compressor just for the caster bushings.

In the end, you'd save a little money.. and have a press out of it (or you could resell it)

The main thing is time. Do you have the time to remove/install all the pieces?

pwesseler

I voted get the press. This of course allows for more errors on your end, but I feel that if something gets messed up you'll know about it and you can address that issue instead of trusting a shop. (unless you chose the vendor mentioned above)

ZippyGuy

iTrader: (9)

I just, and I mean JUST got done pressing in and installing the control arm bushing set. I bought a Harbor Freight 12-ton press for the job and am happy with the decision I made but keep in mind, I plan on using the press to do the bushings on my Corvette. I did not have an air hammer but I imagine that could have speeded up the job. I'm a pretty adept DIYer and the job took me + or - 8 hours.

Safety precautions and disassembly
* 1 to 1 1/2 hour

Upper control arm
* 10 minutes per side taking out the bushings (5 of those minutes spent letting the WD-40 set in)
* 5 minutes be-burring the housings
* 2 minutes putting in the new bushings
* 30-45 minutes per side reinstalling

Lower suspension arm
Rrriigghhttttt….that bad boys stays where it is

Caster arm
* 45-60 minutes per side taking out the bushing
* 10 minutes each pressing in the new bushings (LOTS of lube and press in SSLLOOOWWWLLLYYY)
* 30-45 minutes each arm reassembling

Rest of the time spent was buttoning everything back together, checking torque setting on other components, and reasonably putting my garage back together. IMHO, I would recommend buying the press. It was a pretty fun experience for me, got a lot of satisfaction out of the process.

toy4life86

iTrader: (4)

Its dead even, I got a compressor, My car is on jack stands been on jack stands for about a month now. Time is not the issue I am going to buy the shop press today
Wish me luck thanks for the input I will take some pics and let you know how it goes

JiBBeL

iTrader: (2)

How'd it turn out man? I had a shop press out/in my bushings for $80. WELL worth it IMO

toy4life86

iTrader: (4)

It still progressing.... LOL I have had them out for about 2 weeks now i got the lips bent in but i was having trouble finding something that fits perfectly so i can press the old bushing out. I think I have found a metal pipe end that fits preety well i may have to grind it a little.
Other than that Hope to have the car off the jack stands this weekend
and start doing stereo stuff.