'70 spring bushing replacement help

[VortecYJ]

I recently acquired a 1970 K5 and started to replace the bushings with a poly 2-piece set. After burning out the first OEM front spring front bushing, I discovered a metal sleeve inside the wrap of the leaf spring. I thought it was an insert since my new bushings were too big to fit inside- I tried getting this cylindar/sleeve out of the wrap of the leaf and have been unsuccessful.... now its mangled and I'm stuck.

Did I get bushings that are too large, or is there some secret to getting that metal sleeve out of the spring?

Thanks-

 

[bp71k5]

I took a chisel and hammered through the sleeve to split it and then peeled it out.

Burning out the rubber makes a horrible stinky mess. I cut them out with a sawzall through the center.

 

[VortecYJ]

Thanks, I will work a little harder on the collar/sleeve thing. I agree on the burning rubber thing, it was a PITA and next I will try drilling or cutting it out.

 

[jones]

If you look closely at the sleeve in question,you should see a seam.Take a chisle put it on the seam angling slightly toward the leaf spring and start hammering til the seam is split from one end to the other.Now take a needle nose punch to the corners of the now split seam and tap til they peel back.Just keep working your way all the way around.You'll get it.It sounds like a longer process than it really is.

 

[VortecYJ]

Thanks, I looked for a seam and didn't find one... when I actually get some time to wrench on it again I will try that.

 

[kicker30]

For the sleeves I use the sawzall and cut down through where the little gap is at where the leaf wraps around to make the eye, then take a screwdriver and pry in the sleeve then just a couple hits with the hammer and punch or chisel and its out. As for the bushings themselves, I put the spring on the press and use either a large socket or a bolt with a few washers that will just fit through the eye and press them out, very clean, quick and painless!

 

[dremu]

It's mostly been covered, but ORD has a nice howto relating to bushing replacement...

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/greasebushings.htm

-- A

 

[imiceman44]

For the sleeves I use the sawzall and cut down through where the little gap is at where the leaf wraps around to make the eye, then take a screwdriver and pry in the sleeve then just a couple hits with the hammer and punch or chisel and its out. As for the bushings themselves, I put the spring on the press and use either a large socket or a bolt with a few washers that will just fit through the eye and press them out, very clean, quick and painless!

I did all the methods discussed above but then I got my 20 ton press and since then it takes me a minute and I have the whole bushing out with sleeve, no mess no stink and easy on me too.