I have a 55 F-100. I'm having trouble removing the bushing from the front spring shackle that goes through the frame. What is the original bushing made of, and how can I best remove it. Thanks.

 

Make sure that you need to replace it. Try sliding a pin in. If it doesn't wiggle it is probably OK. Usually the front springs bushings are not as worn as the rear. If it ain't broke don't fix it

If it is worn just use a sawsall or a hacksaw blade to cut the bushing. Usually you only need one cut to relieve the pressure but in stubborn cases you may need multiple cuts then remove the bushing in pieces. Use plenty of PB Blaster first.

 

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I should have left it alone, but I got talked into removing it by my buddies. In the process I ruined it. I tried the hacksaw approach with no luck andthen tried heating it. After that, I took a drill to it, and now the shackle hole is elongated.

 

How badly elongated? All may not be lost yet.

 

I used the hacksaw as Pete said above. Took the blade off the saw and put it through the hole and reassembled the saw with the blade through the hole. Just cut enough to get through the bushing. Patience helps.

 

Sounds like a job for your welder and a rat-tail file. IMHO those bushings are pretty thick so it doesn't need to be perfect.

 

stlouis55
You could cut the rivets (replace with bolts) and take the spring shackle to a machine shop and have them press it out and the new one in. They are made of steel with a copper machined surface I believe.
I'm pretty sure I used a chisel on mine to get them out.
I'm in St Charles, MO

 

I found a piece of threaded bar that was large enough to screw into the bush and bite into it fairly hard, then used a hammer on the end of the threaded bar to drive the bush out, easy. If the hole is only a little elongated it will still be ok, the bush is just a brass tube, use a slightly thicker wall bush, press it in and it will deform to the elongated hole, ream to size and you're done.

 

Thanks for all of the responses. I think the shackle is too far gone to rework. If I get to the point of drilling out the rivets, I'll just buy a new shackle and put it in.

 

It's really not that hard to cut the rivet heads off and drive the rivets out.

 

Thanks for all of the tips and picture. I should be able to get this corrected in short order.