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Old 10-19-2020, 08:48 PM   #1
jokem
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Member#: 504281
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
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2005 Impreza WRX STI
Silver

Default 2005 WRX STI | Front Control Arm Front Bushing Replacement

I'm planning on replacing the front bushings of the front control arms.

I called some local shops to see the cost of just pressing the old bushings out and pressing new bushings in and I've been quoted around $175 - $250

Is there anyway to do this without a hydraulic press? Are there specialty tools that cost <$150 that can do this job?

The cost of labor is so high I'd be ok buying a specialty tool to do this job if it's less than the cost of labor. Unfortunately I don't really have the space for a hydraulic press of my own =(
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Old 10-20-2020, 10:38 AM   #2
Samurai Jack
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Member#: 21145
Join Date: Jul 2002
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Not in my own time
Vehicle:
2002 Enemy of Aku

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You are going to need a hydraulic press. The price they want to just remove / install new bushing is stupidly high.

You can buy a hydraulic press from Harbor Freight for less than what they quoted but I now you said you don't have room for one.
I bought my 20 ton press from them for $120

Suggestion:
FILL in your PROFILE.
People will be able to see where you live and, maybe, someone nearby will offer to do it for you for cheap.
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Old 10-20-2020, 12:44 PM   #3
jokem
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Silver

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Thanks for confirming that. I agree, prices are stupid high. Added my location to my profile - good idea =)

I think when Black Friday rolls around, that 20 ton press from HF will be around $120 again. I might just wait to do that, but will have to make some space in the garage.

I guess I need to think long and hard where I want to anchor it in the garage =P
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Old 10-21-2020, 09:02 AM   #4
Samurai Jack
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jokem View Post
I guess I need to think long and hard where I want to anchor it in the garage =P
Easy Anchor:
Go buy an 8' long 4" x 4"
Cut it in half
Anchor each side of the press to one on the 4' long 4" x 4" sections
The 4' x 4" alone is enough to keep it from moving.

Good to go
I used pressure treated since it sits on the concrete floor and would never have to worry about any rot / mildew
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Old 10-21-2020, 11:55 AM   #5
BlueSTI4Me
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Location: MI
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04.7 STI
WRB IG @got2boostit2

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With the current shop labor rates that is NOT high. Trust me, after you spend an hour or so buying the HF press, assembling it, figuring out how to use it, THEN pressing out the bushings. List the time in hours x $100 hour current average shop labor rate and tell me how much you have into it. SMDH Time is money. (Did PT Barnum say that?)
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Old 10-21-2020, 01:10 PM   #6
Samurai Jack
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueSTI4Me View Post
With the current shop labor rates that is NOT high. )
That is ridiculously high pricing. He is bringing them the front A-arms and all they have to do is press out and press in.

Unless, of course, he is bringing the whole car to them. If that is the case, then the price is within reason.
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Old 10-21-2020, 01:28 PM   #7
jokem
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Silver

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Samurai Jack View Post
That is ridiculously high pricing. He is bringing them the front A-arms and all they have to do is press out and press in.

Unless, of course, he is bringing the whole car to them. If that is the case, then the price is within reason.
The control arms are already out of the car.

BlueSTI4Me - you're absolutely right, it will take some time to get the press setup and going. But with what these shops are charging, I'm hoping that I can amortize the cost/time it takes to setup my own press over the course of the next several years (assuming I use the press for other jobs that I would otherwise pay a shop to do). There's also the opportunity cost of the space it takes up in the garage I'll have to consider.

Thanks for the setup tips Samurai Jack!
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Old 10-27-2020, 10:21 PM   #8
OhThatHurt
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Ice Silver Metallic

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@jokem. I sent to you PM asking a few questions.
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