Replacing the bushings

[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<

[Smiliesafari]

Factory service manual. There are three volumns. You can find them on Ebay. They're the best.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

If you put $1500 worth of bushings into it, you will double the value of the van! 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.

[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

[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

[1Gary]

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

PM sent

[bruce27]

How hard is it to replace the 6 body bushings?

[doyoulikeithere]

Easy peasy.
Just do one side at a time.

[bruce27]

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

[doyoulikeithere]

yes. do one side at a time, plenty of room.