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Mar 20, 2005 | 01:24 PM

ramboss429

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From: South Dakota

Need a LiL Help

Hey guys this is probably gonna sound retarted......I just ran into the toughest problem so far converting my '67 to 4x4. I got the front axle all mounted up last night (Thanks to Ivan an Pro's helpful galleries), and now I tore it back out. I need to replace the bushings in my leaf springs with my new poly ones. How the Hell does a guy get the old crappy, rubber bushings outta there? Someone have a trick or tip? If not, they're getting tossed into a fire.....

Mar 20, 2005 | 01:34 PM

'88_F-150

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: Pittstown NJ

burn em out with a torch

Mar 20, 2005 | 02:03 PM

jesse460

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Quote:

Originally Posted by '88_F-150

burn em out with a torch

Then clean the eye out with a wire wheel in your drill.

Mar 20, 2005 | 02:43 PM

bremen242

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Joined: Jan 2002

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From: GANS

This is my method-

get a mapp gas torch.

heat the inside of the bushing (the metal part) until it is smoking hot.

the inside of bushing will now push out with something hard (old bolt/rebar whatever)

scrape the flaming rubber out

quench the metal sleeve inside still in the spring with wd 40 (be careful not to hit the hot spring)

pound out the bushing with a chisel or air chisel. If you have an air chisel, you can just slice it out.

Or, pay you buddy $30 bux to burn them out with an oxy torch.

those new poly bushings are a breeze to install. pound both sides in with a hammer, lube the inside of the bushing with the supplied lube, and pound the metal bushing into the poly part.

the OEM rubber/metal ones require a big press.

Mar 20, 2005 | 03:21 PM

proeliator

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Joined: Sep 2000

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From: Oregon

They guys totally covered it. I just wanted to add....never throw your springs into a fire to burn the bushings out (maybe you were kidding, but I've heard of it being done). Tempered steel doesn't take kindly to that.

Mar 20, 2005 | 03:44 PM

monsterbaby

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Joined: Dec 2003

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From: iowa

just to add to Pro's comment also don't use the oxy/torch on the metal of the spring really not a good Idea, I have tried drilling rubber out, adn burning it out, and lately have taken to just using my press to prss them out, but without a press burning them out is the best just don't apply the heat to the spring itself.

Mar 20, 2005 | 04:38 PM

mustange70

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Joined: Nov 2001

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From: Coutts Canada

Yeah you should be able to pick up a cheap press for upr bench top for like 30-40 bucks, then you will have a press whenever you need it, and it will pay for itself within a couple of uses.

My dad has just a simple one (just a cheap one, my grandpa has a 60 ton hydraulic one

if we ever need to use it), and its paid for itself 10 times over it seems.