Hi, all...

I saw on here, someone had made a tool to pull/press the eye bushings on leaf springs, but a search didn't show it. Anybody point me to one? I can come up with something, but I remember, it was easy and smart, and if I can find it, I don't have to re-invent the wheel...

And, I know all the other ways - hammer, etc, etc, but specifically looking for a tool that I can make...

Thanks in advance.

 

Roger, What I usually do is press a new bushing in which presses the old bushing out using an appropriately sized deep well socket to receive the old bushing. It can be readily done in a vise or a small press. The hammer method can work but using a correctly siized bolt or other with a shoulder to protect the end of the new bushing is appropriate.

 

Roger,

I know you're a tool junkie and I'm not trying to rain on your parade but its a bit overkill. The bushings can be driven into place with just a few light taps with a hammer. No muss, no fuss, no special tool.

Do yourself a favor before you install them. Test fit the shackle pin to the bushing. Some bushings aren't quite round and the pins don't always fit or or a bit snug and might need a bit of "adjustment" with a file (which is much easier to do on the bench than under the truck)......and no, I didn't mushroom them with the hammer driving them in, like I said, just a few light taps is typically enough to drive them in.

Bobby

 

Mine was getting them out...I can machine a driver, to put them in. I was having trouble with the bracket bushings - there's two of them in there, and they were pretty well stuck. I just turned a bolt down, and used the air chisel. And yeah, I'm a tool nut. I like making tools, but remember there was someone who had made something, and it seemed pretty cool at the time.

Anyway, they're out, and I'm waiting on the new ones. The leaf eyes were really easy, not so much the bracket bushings. In fact, while I was getting one of the leaf eyes out, one of the others dropped out on it's own!

And I was rather interested, since the puller they made was cool, it could be adapted to other bushings - still have the rear to do, and the brake and clutch pedal pivot bushings. So many bushings, so little time...

Thanks,

R

 

Roger,

Cool, I understand (I like tools too)

Bobby

 

Is this the thread you are talking about?

Shackle Bushings

 

Kevin - that's probably it!! Thanks, I remember going to your page, and the rig your dad made. Now I remember, at the time I was thinking it wouldn't take much to make a bunch of different sized pipes and drivers, and have them at the handy, and make more, as I needed them. Filed it in the back of my mind, where it stayed! it's a lot simpler than I recall, but then again, I may have been trying to make it harder, when I saw it the first time. I have a tendency to do that, sometimes...well....most of the time! not that I mind...

I know a bunch of different sized sockets "work" but I like things that work for their purpose, not just cuz they CAN work...not that there's anything wrong with that, just not me.

Thanks!

R

 

Just did mine today. Used 2 sockets and a vise with no proplems. You spoke about a brake pedal bushing. My 52 f1 needs a bushing and pin to make it nice and tight agian. Any sugestions on a supplier. My sun started summer holidays today so he gets to start cleaning the springs tomorrow.

 

The bushings are easy, just about anyone has them (Joblot are $2.60 each, LMC is $4.95)...the pin is a different story! They were available up 'til a few months ago (LMC had them in their last catalog, the new one it's grayed out, so I called them as well as everyone else I know of), now, no one has them at all that I could find. However, there's good news on the horizon. Joblot is having some made - here's the response I got:

So, we should have them in a few months. I took mine to the local machinist, that's treated me VERY well in the past - he estimated about 2 shop hours, approximately $120, to make one! They were $20.00 when they were available, I would imagine they'll be higher, just don't know how much higher - maybe double that? I'll be sure to post to the forum when I find out that they are available again. I don't know if they'll be available solely through Joblot, or everyone.

Another word on Joblot - I just priced to buy a whole bunch of stuff - all new pins and bushings in the front leaf springs and frame, bushings for the clutch/brake pedals, king pins, pitman arm, new tie rod and ends, all those "special" pins for the clutch and brake (mine were toast!), the adjusting clevis and rod, the equalizer "1/2 moon bushings", new springs for clutch and brake, grease seal, repair kits and boots for drag link - basically, everything needed to make the front end "like-new"...all for under $280! I stopped at over $300 from other suppliers, and wasn't done yet. Figure I saved almost 20%. I haven't found anything from them, that was higher than anyplace else, almost all is lower, and some are a lot lower. A few things are the same price, like the kingpin repair set. Every dollar counts, to me - basically, I end up with free shipping, and usually a few bucks more in my pocket. I heartily recommend them. I'm getting ready to buy the rear end stuff next, and I've already rebuilt the tranny with their parts.

I, of course, have no vested interest in Joblot - just a very happy customer.

R

 

Thanks I can wait a few months.

 

Man, I used to follow your build up pretty regularly. I got a lot of good ideas and inspiration from it, but then all of a sudden my bookmark of it started coming up as a model train enthusiast site. I thought you had dropped off the face of the planet. Cool to see that its still moving along.

 

Yeah, when I switched jobs I think the links got hosed and that site was the default. I was maintaining it for a local club. Progress on my trucks had slowed considerably over the last couple years but I'm back at it this summer. I should have Frankie on the road by summer's end and my show truck should also be moving under its own power.

 

A small hint .If the bushings seem tight at the initial fit put them in the freezer for a 1/2 hr . before fitting .This helps .