If you take your car in for an alignment, and they won't do it because they say there is too much play in your (control arm ) bushings. Press them out with an arbour press or vise ( if large enough). You may have issues getting the control arm out if the bolts are rusted ( be sure not to strip the threads, sometimes you can tap the threads deeper and use a longer bolt).
go to a mechanic
Yes!
The control arm bushings are pressed into the control arm. You must use a press (ball joint press with proper adapters, etc.) to remove and install bushings. You may need to heat old bushings with torch to remove bushings from control arm. If you are comfortable with this then here is what you need to do: Remove wheel. Use safety glasses while removing ball joint stud from steering knuckle. Unbolt control arm from vehicle. Change bushings. Install control arm in reverse order. You should get an alignment after doing any front end work.
Control arm bushings are an essential need for the suspension system of your vehicle. The control arm bushings makes for a more smooth ride when on rough terrain. They allow the control arm to move and absorb shock.
Yes
You cannot replace just the bushings. You have to replace the whole control arm.
yes if the unit is not baked
I have 2000 expedition and thought i could change then. After taking my wheel off i notice they could not be change. You need to replace the upper control arm.
To press out control arm bushings you will need a machine shop. These parts are highly specialized and need to be to exact specifications.
There are two methods of changing control arm bushings. One method involves removing the damaged bushing arms and pressing out the bad units. When doing so it may be best to replace the bushings of both sides of the car. Since the control arm has been removed anyway and if the vehicle is of mileage it also may be the best opportunity to replace the ball joints. The second method would be purchasing a complete control arm assembly with new bushings and ball joints already installed.
First you jack up the side of the car you want to replace the control arm bushings and support it with jack stands. Remove the wheel. Remove the stabilizer bar to control arm nut and bolt. Remove the balljoint clamp bolt and nut from the steering knuckle. Remove the bolt and washer front the control arm front pivot. Unbolt the control arm rear bushing retaining strap. Remove the control arm from the car. Once the control arm is off the car you can replace the bushings in it.
Replacing just the bushings is fine unless the control arm is damaged or deformed. There is no real reason to replace the control arm otherwise, unless manufacturer specifications call for it. In those cases, though, you usually won't be able to purchase the bushings separately anyways.