Bushing Press

[festerw]

Anyone know where I can get one or if there is any other method I can use to press the bushing into the eyes on the new leaf spring for my Cherokee. I've so far resisted the urge to bash them in with a hammer I figured that would be bad, LOL.

I stopped at Autozone and Parts America because they were on my way home and they looked at me like I had two heads.

[snowgm]

I guess it depends on how tight they are. You can either heat the spring or cool the bushing. Get yourself some liquid nitrogen or dry ice (seriously) and give the bushings a bath.

or take out your torch and heat up the hole.

This is just general advice - I've never done specifically what you are doing - but I've done a lot of bearing and bushing installations over shafts and in bores.

Of course, a well placed hammer with a brass drift is always nice - just make sure you have a file ready to clean up if you slip.

Also, if you do the heating or cooling make sure you assemble it fast or else you'll end up halfway there...

[bud16415]

Can you draw them in with some all thread and some plates for each end and nuts?

Bud

[festerw]

You were right on the money Bud, I took the idea and ran with it. $6 later from home depot I ended up with this:

http://www.dodgetrucks.org/gallery/data/500/1824Picture001.jpg

And it works like this:

http://www.dodgetrucks.org/gallery/data/500/1824Picture009.jpg

Anybody looking to make one you will need:

1 - 1/2in threaded rod
2 - 1/2in nuts
2 - 1/2in pipe flanges
2 - 3/4in cut washers
2 - 1/2in cut washers

[bud16415]

Will

Glad I could help.

Add a short piece of pipe with the ID a little larger than the OD of the bushing and another with the OD of the pipe a little less than the OD of the bushing and you will have a removal tool as well.

Bud

[festerw]

Originally posted by bud16415
Will

Glad I could help.

Add a short piece of pipe with the ID a little larger than the OD of the bushing and another with the OD of the pipe a little less than the OD of the bushing and you will have a removal tool as well.

Bud

Yup I'm gonna call around and see if I can get a hold of some scrap pipe, I haven't looked but I'm guessing 3" iron pipe isn't cheap.

[bud16415]

Will

Keep one of the old bushings with you for size. And when you are out and about you can use it to gage size if you find something. Seeing as how you used the pipe flanges as plates I see you think like me when shopping. You might find a pipe coupler in the bigger sizes that will work as a tube for removing. Or stop over to Warren Steel and tell them what you want to do and they will find and or cut you a couple pieces of steel tubing out of the short rack. I don’t think they will charge you much.

When you get done hang it all up over the work bench for next time or if I need to borrow it.

Bud
:D