Upper Control Arm Bushing Fell Out?

[David Pozzi]

Yes jack up and support the car under the lower A arms on both sides, then remove the wheel and unbolt the A arm at the shaft on the frame, keep count of the shims in there. Then you need to unscrew the upper balljoint stud and separate it from the spindle. A pickle fork is often used but it will damage the balljoint boot. If your upper balljoints are old, this would be a great time to change them.

If you want to remove without damage to the UBJ, jack the car up and support it by the front frame rails, then place a jack under the lower A arm with about 1" clearance, just for safety. Loosen the nut on the upper balljoint about 1/4" and smack the side of the spindle where the joint inserts with a hammer until it breaks free. After it breaks free, jack up the lower A arm until the rubber bumper underneath the upper arm is free of the subframe, then remove the nut and arm.

If you don't feel comfortable doing the above or don't have the tools, just take it to a shop, they will do the bushings fairly cheap. There is a lot of danger doing this work and you don't need to take chances.
I HIGHLY recomend a good manual for any work like this. The GM "Helm" manual is excellent but expensive. Chilton and Haynes have manals.