(Disclaimer, I am in no way responsible if you poke an eye out or hurt yourself using this idea. There could potentially be a LOT of force on the materials involved, and something definitely could break or shatter.)
For around $12 at your local hardware store (But probably not Home Depot or Lowes, as a few of these items I could only find at Ace) you can build a set of tools that will remove the bushings with ease, quickly, with no heat, no penetrating oil, and no blades.
The first tool only costs about $3, and is made from a 1/2" nut and bolt, and a unthreaded PVC 'cap' and a washer. You need to drill a hole in the center 'cap' to accept the bolt. Position as shown, and use it to pull the inner rubber part of the bushing out.
Shown with the rubber bit still attached:
The second tool is a male-male bit of threaded steel\iron pipe (the only thing thin enough) a threaded reducer, and then a threaded reducing 'cap' that has a hole already in it. No drilling required on this one, just assemble it as shown. DEFINITELY use grade 8 or better hardware for this. I would also suggest NOT using a rattle gun. I stripped out my bolt the moment I put my rattle gun on it. At the back side, where the nut is, you will need an appropriate sized metric washer. The size is around 30mm. I just picked up an assortment from the hardware store (Again, grade 8 or better) and used what fit. The washer will probably bend at some point during your project, so best to have a few of them handy.
You definitely could change around the design of this to suit what you can find. I just chose what would get me the cheapest possible tool without doing any metal-drilling.
If your upper control arms are undamaged, using this method, I see NO reason to shell out the coin for brand new UPPER control arms. With the above technique\info, even with grinding off the rivets for the ball joints, it will take you about 15 minutes start to finish to rebuild each control arm!
The 'pop' sound the bushing makes when it comes out is very satisfying by the way.
