Replacing the bushings

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SalinaEd
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Replacing the bushings

Post by SalinaEd »

I was told by my mechanic that the squeaking will stop if I replace all the bushings for a total of $1500. A friend informed me he just replaced the bushings on his truck and had never done it before. That gives me hope because I am in the same position and am not inept with tools. I have a Haynes Repair Manual for Astro/Safraris 85-03. The only reference to bushings I can find is on page 10-4 figure 2.2 which says "Note the positions of the bushings,". Could somebody direct me to another source. I'm going to need step by step instructions and lots of picture. [-o<
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Salina Ed
98 Astro
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Smiliesafari
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by Smiliesafari »

Factory service manual. There are three volumns. You can find them on Ebay. They're the best.
1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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kings-x59
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by kings-x59 »

wow 1500 bucks? How many miles do you have on that 98? There are a fair number of rubber bushings in the front suspension and between the subframe and unibody. There's the motor mounts with rubber and the transmission mount with rubber bushings.
I think before I wrote the check I'd get a spray can of white lithium grease and go to town on them. I've replaced the sway bar bushings, motor mounts and transmission mount bushings, but everything else on my '89 is original with 143k miles and no squeeks. Some of the rubber bushings in the front suspension are a fairly major undertaking for a shadetree mechanic to replace.
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.

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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by Cobra »

i've got the squeaks too i'm over 200k miles and was thinking about them while i was under it the other day, those control arm bushings look like quiet a task.
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
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kings-x59
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by kings-x59 »

yah, if you are going to do the control arm bushings, you might as well rebuild the entire front end with new parts while you are at it.
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.

name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....

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SalinaEd
I am merely driving my van
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by SalinaEd »

This 98 has 178k. We're the third owner and we've been on our 2nd engine for the last 18k. I'm liking the lithium grease option. A guy can buy a lot of cans for $1500. :yawinkle:
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LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

If you put $1500 worth of bushings into it, you will double the value of the van! :yikes: I would spray lube on the bushings or turn the radio up before I spent that much money on bushings unless they were real bad.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by Cobra »

it's funny because that 1500 is pretty much all labour. Maybe i'll spray some lith on them and see what happens, until i find some nice noise energy suspension ones :muhaha:
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
Zexel Torsen Diff
11" drums
180 amp Alternator
Long tru-cool 4590 trans cooler

1997 gone

dbedard
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by dbedard »

Full set of Astro OEM subframe mount bushing set with washers and bolts.
Was going to install on my 87 van before engine "died".

Interested? Van, Pats, etc... Contact me
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1Gary
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by 1Gary »

dbedard wrote:Full set of Astro OEM subframe mount bushing set with washers and bolts.
Was going to install on my 87 van before engine "died".

Interested? Van, Pats, etc... Contact me
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1979 Malibu drag race only car
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1994 Astro LT RWD W4.3 rod knock RIP
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bruce27
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by bruce27 »

How hard is it to replace the 6 body bushings?
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by doyoulikeithere »

Easy peasy.
Just do one side at a time.
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2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.

bruce27
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by bruce27 »

Will one side lift up enough to put the bushings in and is there room under the body to remove the bolts?
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doyoulikeithere
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Re: Replacing the bushings

Post by doyoulikeithere »

yes. do one side at a time, plenty of room.
2021 Yamaha Tenere 700 - Blue.
2016 Yamaha XSR900 - Silver.
1990 Astro - AWD - Brown.
1987 Astro - With 5 Speed & 4wd - Silver & Blue.
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