leaf spring bushing help
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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leaf spring bushing help
well i have been trying to burn the rubber eye bushing out of my leaf springs no luck whats the secret ???
i have went through a big bottle of lighter fluid and had them burning for 10-15 min at one time by putting more fluid on when the fire would be going out but the bushing just well not burn ????? ineed to get thise out so can get the new ones in, help
thx noel
i have went through a big bottle of lighter fluid and had them burning for 10-15 min at one time by putting more fluid on when the fire would be going out but the bushing just well not burn ????? ineed to get thise out so can get the new ones in, help
thx noel
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
Burning the rubber out of the spring won't solve anything. The bushing is composed of an outer steel liner, inner rubber bushing. Burning the rubber out, the steel liner will still be in place.
The correct way to R&R leaf spring bushings is with a press. Old bushing pressed out, new bushing pressed in.
You can beat on them with a hammer and punch to get 'em out, but this is a study in futility and may ruin the spring eyes.
The correct way to R&R leaf spring bushings is with a press. Old bushing pressed out, new bushing pressed in.
You can beat on them with a hammer and punch to get 'em out, but this is a study in futility and may ruin the spring eyes.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
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Use a torch to burn out the rubber. If you do not have a torch, go buy the cheapest one you can find. While you have the torch on the rubber just turn the inner part of the bushing back and forth. It will come out and leave the outer steel part inside the eye. I used a jigsaw with a metal blade to cut out the outer part of the bushing. Just be careful and do not cut to far. I cut about halfway through and then used a chisel and hammer to pound it out.
Getting the new bushing in is a real pain in the @$$. You can pound on it forever and it will not go in. I had to use a large flat head screw driver to pry the spring eye open just a little and then pound the the new bushing in.
Good luck, this is a lot of work for us that do not have air tools. If you have any further questions, post them and I will try to help.
Getting the new bushing in is a real pain in the @$$. You can pound on it forever and it will not go in. I had to use a large flat head screw driver to pry the spring eye open just a little and then pound the the new bushing in.
Good luck, this is a lot of work for us that do not have air tools. If you have any further questions, post them and I will try to help.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
But, if not...the OP will be pounding/burning for hours on these rusty 'ol spring bushings and what will the result be? F-r-u-s-t-r-a-t-i-o-n!
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 86
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Use a torch to burn out the rubber. If you do not have a torch, go buy the cheapest one you can find. While you have the torch on the rubber just turn the inner part of the bushing back and forth. It will come out and leave the outer steel part inside the eye. I used a jigsaw with a metal blade to cut out the outer part of the bushing. Just be careful and do not cut to far. I cut about halfway through and then used a chisel and hammer to pound it out.
Getting the new bushing in is a real pain in the @$$. You can pound on it forever and it will not go in. I had to use a large flat head screw driver to pry the spring eye open just a little and then pound the the new bushing in.
Good luck, this is a lot of work for us that do not have air tools. If you have any further questions, post them and I will try to help.
Getting the new bushing in is a real pain in the @$$. You can pound on it forever and it will not go in. I had to use a large flat head screw driver to pry the spring eye open just a little and then pound the the new bushing in.
Good luck, this is a lot of work for us that do not have air tools. If you have any further questions, post them and I will try to help.
thx noel
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 14
From: Island Southeast Alaska
Here is how I install spring bushings without a press. Once the old one is out as previously stated. I hone the spring eye to smooth out any burrs than freeze the new bushing and use a heavy bench vice to push it in. Have the proper size socket handy to use at the last little bit to get it centered.
Note: A cheap harbor freight vice made in China prolly wont work. Use a good stout one.
Note: A cheap harbor freight vice made in China prolly wont work. Use a good stout one.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
acted like they were easy to burn out.Giving advice is one thing, actually doing the work is another.
I've found that here on FTE one person suggests something, then a whole bunch of chimer-inners say the same thing.
But...how many of the chimer-inners have any actual experience doing whatever? Not too many...they are just mimicing what the first person said.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
Don't think a propane plumbers torch will do the job. Never tried it though. I'm very careful about heat and springs. The two do not go together. Too much heat will take the temper out of the metal making it easy to bend, not what you want.
New User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 14
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I have taken on this job a few times, easiest way i have found is with 2 5" pieces of pipe, a long grade 8 bolt, nut and stack of washers. One piece of pipe is just big enough to fit through the eye the other big enough for the bushing to fit through. Soak the eye with rust penetrant and press through. Don't use exhaust tubing has to be rugged pipe.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 234
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Using a torch was recommended on FTE to me about six months ago. If you take your time and do it right you will not eff up your spring (heat the rubber not the spring). Mine is still perfect six months later and I would do the same to the other side. The only problem is the job is a pain in the @$$. I am just waiting until the hanger gets a little more rusted before switching out the other side.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,006
Likes: 2
From: CASA GRANDE AZ
i have always used a cutting torch and it takes about 10-15 minutes to burn them out and then i use the torch to burn the sleeve out ! putting stock ones back in is a pain so it is easier to use poly bushings that dont need to be pressed in , they go in by hand ! another way if you dont have a torch is to drill lots of holes around the bushing say with a 3/16" or 1/4" bit and it will eventually come out but then you have to get the sleeve out , sawzall works and if you dont have that then get a ROUND NOSE CHISEL and cut the sleeve out by hammering a notch down one side
Wright Tool, 9625, Round Nose Chisels - ROYAL SUPPLY
Wright Tool, 9625, Round Nose Chisels - ROYAL SUPPLY