Upper Control Arm Bushings / HD Control Arm?

[estoltman]

I keep having issues with my front upper control arm bushings - as in there is no bushing material left - and only after recently replacing the control arms.

It's a 2003 4WD FX4 with a 3" spacer lift.

Any recommendations on heavy duty control arms or bushings I could use?

If not, what's the best aftermarket replacing upper control arm? I'd like to avoid pressing bushings unless they are uber-bushings that will never wear out; quicker to just replace the entire assembly on the remote ranch I keep the truck.

 

[Gruz7]

I like the MOOG control arms I put on my truck when I installed my 3/2 level... They come with bushings and ball joints and MOOG usually guarantees OEM quality or better... After about 3000 miles they're doing excellent!


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[estoltman]

Anyone make replacement poly bushings?

MOOG was who I was considering for a whole replacement.

 

[Gruz7]

Anyone make replacement poly bushings?

MOOG was who I was considering for a whole replacement.

Not too sure on poly bushing replacements if buying separately but rockauto might be a good tool to use there. Keep in mind the ball joint is under a bit of stress now that it's lifted and still running stock length arms, a good strong ball joint would be something to consider as well... One of my reasons I went with MOOG


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[estoltman]

Are these the right Moog PNs# RK80712 and RK80713

 

[Gruz7]

Are these the right Moog PNs# RK80712 and RK80713

What year is your expy? Mine is an 06 and my part numbers were like RK80716 and RK80717 if I remember right? I picked mine up from an auto parts store that distributes MOOG parts


Edit: I see it up top... Yours is an 03 so he's those should be the correct part numbers that you have just remember stay away from anything that says (auto leveling suspension) that's the air bag garbage we don't want those arms lol


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[docraymund]

Check advertisements on hot rod and street rodder magazines. They have a vendor there that fabricates polyurethane bushings.

 

[Jb14]

I have 05 with 3.5/2.5 lift. I went with the Moog. The part number you have is RK that is the cheaper part (RK series are the economy) look for Moog Control Arms with K (NOT RK) unfortunately not to many aftermarket parts for our trucks

 

[MrBlargMan]

Jb14, do you by chance happen to have the K part numbers that you are referring to?

 

[Jb14]

Sorry I made a mistake I actually went with the Motorcraft upper control arms because I could not find the K series. Quick disclaimer I replaced my entire front and rear suspension and used a combination of Moog and Motorcraft parts (which ever was better) so I confused myself Again sorry

Note: I also went with Motorcraft Lower Ball Joints

Rock Auto $115.79 ea
MOTORCRAFT MCSOE166 {#6L1Z3085AA} Info
Front Left Upper; w/ Standard Suspension

MOTORCRAFT MCSOE156 {#6L1Z3084AA} Suspension Control Arm and Ball Joint Assembly Info
Front Right Upper; w/ Standard Suspension

 

[Dmpsix]

Bump!

Yo, am I doing this right?

2003 Ford Expedition 5.4 2V (RWD)

I already replaced all 4 coil/mount/strut assembly with the KYB's and I love them. Now I need to replace the control arms because at 225k original miles on them, I feel like they're gonna fall apart.

Anyone know if I got everything I need or did I do too much? Goals are OEM everything since this is a daily driver with BF Goodrich KO2's A/T (if that matters).

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,2003,expedition,5.4l+v8,1411119,suspension

 

[Dmpsix]

Here's a link to a better image if that helps.

https://ibb.co/rk2KjcR

 

[Hamfisted]

That looks like all the big pieces ....

 

[BrandonZ55]

You could possibly do the lift upper control arms from an f150 for the front. I was looking into getting them for my 05.

 

[Dmpsix]

That looks like all the big pieces ....

What do you mean?

You could possibly do the lift upper control arms from an f150 for the front. I was looking into getting them for my 05.

I just want it to ride like stock and as comfy as possibly.

2nd Gen Expy has **** tons of ground clearance. I think with the KO2's I'm already a damn near 12 inches off the ground.

 

[BrandonZ55]

They have them for f150s. They are for 2-4 inch lifts. Helps with the ball joint alignment. Will bolt right on. I think they were around 400$ but will definitely help with ride and binding and premature failure.

 

[Dmpsix]

So can anyone confirm if I got everything i need ?

 

[Nalajr]

Hey all.

I have on 03 Eddie Bauer, 5.4 in 4wd and I have been trying for 2 days to replace my upper control arm that have the bushings already in it. I can get 2 of the bolts off, but the last one can't be simply pulled out. The bolt is blocked by the main spring. I can only pull it about 2 inches or so until the head of the bolt simply won't move anymore from the Main Spring.

How did you all get it out? Did you take the main spring out and then replace the upper control arm? Please tell me how I can get that 3rd bolt out without taking the mainspring out.

The option I am looking at now is cutting the bolt, removing it and after getting the upper control arm in place, inserting the bolt from the opposite side with the nut on the inside. I don't know what I can cut it with that will fit into the small space at the top of the main spring.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, I am just hoping that someone can help me to get this last bolt out of both sides.

 

[Jb14]

Normally you should take out the strut pack. I have seen youtube vids where some guys will take a prybar and compress the strut pack to remove where the strut mount is connected to get space but looks really sketchy.

 

[texasscot]

Normally you should take out the strut pack. I have seen youtube vids where some guys will take a prybar and compress the strut pack to remove where the strut mount is connected to get space but looks really sketchy.

+1 on this. Really simple. Remove top three nuts, remove 30mm bolt from bottom. this allows free movement of the spring/shock.