pIVOT bUSHING rEPLACEMENT
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Joined: Sep 2004
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pIVOT bUSHING rEPLACEMENT
Hi All !
I have a question concerning Twin I beam Pivot Bushing Replacement.
Is this a job I can do myself or do the bushings have to be Pressed out and back in again.
Thanks
I have a question concerning Twin I beam Pivot Bushing Replacement.
Is this a job I can do myself or do the bushings have to be Pressed out and back in again.
Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Rockwall, Just East of Da
You can replace the I-beam\axle pivot bushings yourself. However, it is a chore at best and can be down right impossible without the right tools and mindset. Normally, a hydraulic press is used to remove the old bushings and press in the new ones. In one's driveway and without access to a press, it is necessary to get creative. I repalced the axle pivot bushings my self in the driveway without a press. It was difficult and time consuming, but I saved a ton of money and would do it again. If you are interested, here is how I did it.
1. Jack the front of the truck up and support with jack stands located underneath the frame rails just behind the front wheels. Place a floor jack under the tire and slightly raise the wheel.
2. Remove the bolt that secures the axle to the frame and pry the axle down far enought to clear the hole where it bolts to the frame. I may be necessary to raise of lower the wheel with the floor jack to make this possible. Play with it for a while.
3. Using a hammer and suitable punch knock out the inner steel sleeve and rubber gromet inside the bushing. Once this is done only the outter steel sleeve should remain in the end of the axle. Now, get a hacksaw with a new blade, take the blade out of the saw, insert the blade into what is remaining of the bushing with the teeth of the blade pointing down. Put the hack saw back together in such a way that the hacksaw is hanging upside down with the teeth of the blade pointing towared the top of the hacksaw frame. Start sawing till you cut through the outer steel sleeve of the bushing. Becareful not to saw into the axle itself. Once you have cut throught the sleeve, use a cold chisel and hammer to get the sleeve out. It should come out relatively easily.
4. I fashioned a press out of a 7\16 grade 8 bolt and nut(fine thread is better but coarse thread will do), some washers and a socket. I used a 6 point 15\16 socket and combination wrech to force the new bushing into the axle end. Use plenty of lubricant on the bolt threads to make this easier. Once this was accomplished I reattached the alxe to the frame using a new bolt (be sure to use Grade 8 or ebetter). If you would like a drawing of the contraption I used to press the new bushing in email me and I will sent you one. I do not think I could adequately describe it here. In retrospect I decided I could have used this same press, set up differently of course, to remove the old bushing, however, the hack saw and puch worked just fine.
1. Jack the front of the truck up and support with jack stands located underneath the frame rails just behind the front wheels. Place a floor jack under the tire and slightly raise the wheel.
2. Remove the bolt that secures the axle to the frame and pry the axle down far enought to clear the hole where it bolts to the frame. I may be necessary to raise of lower the wheel with the floor jack to make this possible. Play with it for a while.
3. Using a hammer and suitable punch knock out the inner steel sleeve and rubber gromet inside the bushing. Once this is done only the outter steel sleeve should remain in the end of the axle. Now, get a hacksaw with a new blade, take the blade out of the saw, insert the blade into what is remaining of the bushing with the teeth of the blade pointing down. Put the hack saw back together in such a way that the hacksaw is hanging upside down with the teeth of the blade pointing towared the top of the hacksaw frame. Start sawing till you cut through the outer steel sleeve of the bushing. Becareful not to saw into the axle itself. Once you have cut throught the sleeve, use a cold chisel and hammer to get the sleeve out. It should come out relatively easily.
4. I fashioned a press out of a 7\16 grade 8 bolt and nut(fine thread is better but coarse thread will do), some washers and a socket. I used a 6 point 15\16 socket and combination wrech to force the new bushing into the axle end. Use plenty of lubricant on the bolt threads to make this easier. Once this was accomplished I reattached the alxe to the frame using a new bolt (be sure to use Grade 8 or ebetter). If you would like a drawing of the contraption I used to press the new bushing in email me and I will sent you one. I do not think I could adequately describe it here. In retrospect I decided I could have used this same press, set up differently of course, to remove the old bushing, however, the hack saw and puch worked just fine.
