I cannot seam to figure out how to get the front bushings out of the rear suspension on my 52 ford F1. Has anyone done it before? What are the tips/tricks?

The whole point of me doing this is really to repair some frame rot by the front shackles. To get extra room to weld I decided to switch out the pins and bushings as well. The rears took a torch and plenty of hammering... but in the front, the frame holes do not allow for hammering as easily...

Any help would be appreciated, I am switching out the shocks, and removing a few leafs at the same time, so any pointers would be great.

The U-bolts can apparently only be bought from suspension shops?.?.?. Does anyone know of a good chain or shop in NKY to find them?

Anyone in the Cincinnati, NKY area, I am looking for help and would be more then willing to pay to learn.

 

I think most people drill a hole in the crossmember to get access to the hole. In 53 they wised up and put the hole in there for you.

Here are some threads discussing this topic that should be very helpful.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-springs.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...g-removal.html

 

Every truck spring shop around here makes their own U-bolts while you wait. From past experience, I always take the spring plate along and have them make sure the new U-bolts will go thru the holes -- they are a real pain to squeeze or spread!

The only thing I don't like about these made-to-order U-bolts is that they are round stock all the way around the axle. I'd prefer the OEM-style that are flattened where they go around the axle tube. Just seems less likely to crease the tubes.