how do i get the bolt out of the bushing on the front mount on the rear leaf spring? it can turn in the bushing but the metal sleeve is stuck in the rubber. it turns but will not slide out. we hit it with a sledge hammer and nothing. it did not even flinch.

 

Are you saying the bolt turns in the metal bushing/sleeve, but the sleeve doesn't move itself? If so, that shouldn't be too hard to remove. Usually the whole thing rusts together and you can't even turn the bolt.

Assuming you aren't going to reuse the bolt, you have a few options. Do you have air tools? use an impact hammer with the pointy shaped tool thats meant for such a task. If you have a helper, they can try turning the bolt while you hammer at it from the back sided. Make sure its well lubed up with your favorite rust solvent.
You may need to use a larger hammer, where's Joe and his BFH when you need it?
If you don't have air tools, use a sawzall or grinder with a cutoff wheel to cut the bolt. The trick is you need to cut both sides, between the bushing and the spring mount, without cutting into the mount. Once its down, then you can attack it in a manner of ways.

If the sleeve has ripped loose of the rubber bushing and rusted to the bolt, you pretty much need to cut the bolt off both ends to get it free. Usually you can fit the tip of a pry bar in there just enough to give a little more wiggle room when cutting.

Are you replacing the spring bushings? If yes, once its cut out, just leave the bolt in there. If not, and you need to remove the bolt, a shop press can work. I have a harbor freight 20 ton one, and used it once to press a bolt out of the bushing once I got it off the truck. It took a lot to get it to move the first time and scared the crap out of me when it finally jumped free (made a hell of a noise and everything just jumped all of a sudden!). But after that, it popped out.

Good luck, its truly a #$%*&$ job.

 

If the sleeve is rusted to the bolt and turning, the bushing is scrap anyway, so cut it out the best way you can. I have even had to use a smoke wrench, but it is very messy,burning the bushing.

 

thanks for the input guys.

the metal sleeve turns inside the rubber.

i tried the air hammer and the bolt did not even think of flinching. we heated the head of the bolt until it was orange. the head of the bolt is away from the mount bracket by about 1/16". dull blades on the sawzall don't help things.