changing control arm bushings on a VW

[Aharami]

So Im planning on changing some of the suspension components this weekend because the car's getting old and handling is getting really sloppy.

I plan on changing
-tie rod ends
-ball joints
-front sway bar bushings
-and control arm bushings

I've been looking on vwvortex for DIYs and have found some stuff already, but according to this thread (http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2300853) the LCA bushings need to be pressed out/in by a shop. What kinda shop would I take this to? Would any kind do - like a Pep-Boys?
This is the only thing Im apprehensive about. How long would it take the shop to press out/in 4 bushings (2 per control arm)

 

[Vette73]

Look up a auto machine shop in the yellow pages. Could also ask most shops that do any engine work as well what machine shop they use.

 

[alpineranger]

Or try doing it yourself. A friend and I needed to replace the press in wheel bearings on his car, so we went to harbor freight, bought a cheap hydraulic press (powered by one of those standard bottle jacks), We also needed a set of large sockets and bearing separators, but it worked like a charm and cost less for the equipment than a shop would have charged for the same service.

 

[Beau]

Nothing a gear puller and a couple bits of pipe can't do.

I just did this myself on a BMW 540i.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: Beau
Nothing a gear puller and a couple bits of pipe can't do.

I just did this myself on a BMW 540i.

how long did it take you? and you mind explaining further what you mean?

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Aharami

Originally posted by: Beau
Nothing a gear puller and a couple bits of pipe can't do.

I just did this myself on a BMW 540i.

how long did it take you? and you mind explaining further what you mean?

Took me about 2 hours on the first one and 1 hour on the second, but that was removal and replacement of the thrust arms and everything... and the tie rods had to be in a certain position to get the damn bolts out (in other words, working on that part of the bimmer was a PITA). The actual pressing of the bushings took maybe 10 minutes each.

This is the tutorial I followed.

http://www.beisansystems.com/p...bushings_procedure.htm

Note that he uses a sleeve set that was made to spec, but if you can match or nearly match the diameters with some steel pipe, you can get all the parts between checker and and home depot.

I actually had my brother machine the sleeves for me to the specs given on that page for free, but I've heard of people piecing the parts together from common hardware.