Gen 2 rear axle bushing tool

Greetings! I've been searching around for info on removing and installing the axle to frame bushings on my 2005 Prius. At 150,000 miles mine are starting to show dry rot. I've seen a few specialized tools for sale but nothing that I could rent. Not sure if a standard bushing press tool that you could rent from an auto parts store would do the job do to the irregular shape of this bushing. Most of the posts seem dated so I'm curious what the heck everyone does when they need to change this bushing. Since I'm already doing the brakes and struts my options in order of preference would be:

1) Rent a tool and press them on the axle while the axle is on the car.
2) Remove the axle from the car and take it somewhere to have the bushings pressed.
3) Put everything back together and take it to a shop.

Thanks-Dave

 

Well I ended up removing the axle and paying $150 in labor to install the rear axle bushings that I had bought. Removing the axle was straightforward. I found some information on the internet on tools specifically for installing these bushings but did not see anything that I could outright purchase. Since these bushings are common amongst a few different Toyota models I would be interested in knowing if anyone ever finds a place to purchase the tool for a reasonable price. Cheers!

 

It's hard to say if the rear axle bushings alone have made a big difference because I replaced all bushings, struts, tie rods, control arms, CV axles, ball joints, etc at the same time. What I can tell you though is that the car rides just incredible now. Very smooth and so much quieter. I was always having rattles and squeaks but they have all disappeared. Aside from the rattles and squeaks the car exhibited fairly decent handling characteristics at 150,000 miles. I'm also an aircraft mechanic so I'm very anal about these things haha. The bushings were dry rotted as often happens in Arizona. I would do it again if I was doing the rear brakes but unless I acquire that tool I may have to rethink about taking on that job as a stand alone item. I took the axle to a very good mechanic friend of mine who had access to multiple bushing tool sets and hydraulic presses and it took him 3 hours to get the job done. It was a deal for $150. You could do it in ten minutes a side with the correct tool though.

 

This is true. The shape of the bushing is not traditional as most are used to.

 

There are some videos there on youtube doing just that. It's a PIA and my worry is getting the new one reinstalled.