Hello again F-150 gods.....the patient is a 00' F150 4x2 w/6" Fabtech lift

Here's my latest dilemma. I need to replace the upper and lower control arm bushings, Upper Lower balljoints, pitman arm, and idler arm. I've read every thread on removing ball joints, so I think I have a pretty good handle on it. I'm going to change the shocks and tie rods while I'm there. I searched but did not find any threads on removing and installation of control arm bushings. Is that pretty straight foreward? I'm also not sure how to handle the coil spring. This is what I was thinking: Place a jack under the steering knuckle to relieve tension, Remove upper ball-joint nut, whack steering knuckle with BFH to loosen Upper Ball Joint, slowly lower jack to remove coil spring. Is that the way to do it? I have a Chilton manual that reads like the Tibetan Book Of The Dead and I figured you guys are the ones to ask. Control arm bushings look simple, but you know how that can be. Is it a matter of removing the control arms and placing new bushings in or am I going to need to pullers and presses to do that? Any Info appreciated! Thank you!!

 

The safest way to remove coil springs is to let someone else do it!! HAHA
The way you want to do it is the best way i can think of with out taking it to a shop, as far as the bushings go, I think they are pressed in so a press would be needed

 

I have a press at work, but I was hoping to do it on Saturday in my driveway.

 

Anyone else change control arm bushings??

 

If they are rubber bushings with the inserts, just press out the bushing somehow, and then cut the old bushings, or pull them out. As far as the springs, try and find a spring compressor. Most parts stores that rent tools will have some. That way you can safely remove them without worrying about shooting it out at yourself. I have also heard of people wrapping chains around the spring and a piece of the chassis, then using a jack to compress the suspension and remove the ball joint nuts, but that can still be dangerous.

 

there is a tool for that like 20 bucks at autozone. its basically a long bolt with 2 hooks on each end that hook on to the spring.

 

Well, I got the ball joint press and bushing driver checked out from my local AutoZone. They were out of the coil spring compressor, but I'm going to try and find one. Hopefully I can get this to go down without any surprises.