Well I got the new strut bushings and decided to just dig in and see how it goes. A lot easier than it looked in the parts break down. Strut removal is easy. 2 bolts on bottom , a little heat from the torch helped to loosen, and 3 studs on top. Once on the bench with the 2" lift removed it was time for the spring compressor. Rented it from Advance Auto ( free tool rental ). Told um I was working on a small vehicle so if you have 2 sizes give me the small size. No such luck, one size fits all. Not. I was able to make them work anyway. Once compressed I used the vise to hold the big hex nut which is part of the cup. Loosen the nut inside and everything just slides out. Checked the bearing. all was good to just reassemble with new rubber bushing. Before the new bushing the top plate was loose as a goose and flopping around big time . New bushing made it nice and firm.
Even though the strut bushings had a lot of play it was not the source of the front end shake. After the test drive I poked around and found the drivers side control arm ( ball joint ) I replaced only a year and 1/2 ago was shot. Replaced the control arm and shake is gone. This one came from G & R. Hoping to have better luck with it. I think I got the other one off eBay.
