zMax1996

The right side front control arm bushing on my 96 Maxima (the big one inboard from the wheel) needs replacing.

Courtesy Nissan has a replacement bushing set at $30.00 (Energy Suspension, after market part). Nissan dealers generally say the whole assembly has to be replaced as the bushings are "pressed" in. Courtesy says they sell hundreds of these replacement bushing sets.

Has anyone had any experience with replacing just the "bushing"?

Any tricks to removing the old bushing without damageing the control assembly assembly? Does the replacement "energy suspension" bushing bolt on easy or other?

My local Nissan dealer wants $600.00 to R&R the whole assembly.

Thanks!

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

If you go to www.pinnaclenissan.com, they've got the control arm for ~$140 and this would replace that bushing. If not, you will need to have the bushing pressed in using a press or taking off the control arm, taking to a shop that will do the pressing.

If you replace just the bushing, it's not a "bolt on" procedure, more like a press in.

I thought of doing this, but nailed a curb, and ended up bending my control arm, so I ended up just replacing the whole arm.

Ant96GLE

iTrader: (4)

Get Energy Suspension bushings, they're made of polyurethane which is stiffer and lasts longer. They're very cheap and you dont have to replace the entire control arm and waste that money.

I would also check the ball joints while I was down there and replace them if need be, they're only $25 new.

mexnamax

hey what bushing are you talking about? The one front the lower control arm and steering knuckle???

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

Do you know what you're talking about?

zMax1996

The Courtesy Nissan site has a "Energy Suspension Catalog" under Maxima 1995-1999.

In that catalog is a fairly detailed diagram of the Front End Control Arm Bushing Set. I am specifically talking about the "inboard" bushing (Inboard as in more to the center of the car away from the wheel).

When you select part number 7-3111G another page opens that shows a Bushing set that is more than a single piece. I think I see a sleeve that the actual bushing inserts onto.

Does this particular polyurethane bushing require some sort of a special tool to "press-on"? I have seen a bearing press, but never a tool that would handle this job.

Thanks

Ant96GLE

iTrader: (4)

You dont need a press to get them off but to get them on its a bish.. I got it done at a shop.

Vyrus

iTrader: (4)

Be warned though, the Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings will increase the vibration of your ride. This is the point of polyurethane - less flex, more road feel.
-Cyrus

JoeB

I love my energy suspension bushings. They really tightened up my steering. Not too bad to install especially if your stock ones are wasted. Mine just fell apart and all I had to do was drive out the metal sleeves. The new ones pressed right in with my fingers.

zMax1996

Sounds like I "may" be able to get the Polys on in-place without taking the whole assembly off.

One way to find out I guess.

Thanks for the info..

mzmtg

iTrader: (11)

What?

The big rear bushings just push on and off with a mallet. The smaller front bushing has to be pressed or burned and cut OUT. The ES small front bushing slips right in with no tools.

The hardest part of doing all this in my garage was actually getting the control arms off the car.

zMax1996

I will try to install the big rear bushing (inboard, away from the wheel) with the assembly in place. Only the 'big one" is damaged. I will deal with the others in the future. I do not want to have to pay for a wheel alignment do to removing the complete control arm assembly.

Thanks for the inputs.

Ant96GLE

iTrader: (4)

I was pis$ed that day when I was changing the ball joint and found the bushings to be bad... I didnt feel like torching that thing out.