how do you remove spring bushings??

[73k5blazer]

Need a bigger press

You'd be surprised what a good size press can do... I've pushed out PLENTY of bushings and parts that were rusted solid with our press at the shop.

I have a giant old press I bought off a machine shop going out of business. So big, it simply starts to crush the spring eye, and yes, I had the proper diameter drive. The sleeve just rots and the rubber/rust mixture seems to forge some kind of super material that should be patented, it just becomes fused with the eye. Only way is heat. I've done many, and the only one I've ever had press out was my buddies truck which he had just brought up from North Carolina.
I've had no trouble with metal on metal parts being fused/rusted, ball joints, ujoints, crap that was sitting underwater for decades at a junk yard, presses right out with the press, but rubber/rust/metal combo, seems to create something different.

If you can press 'em out, great, I'd love it if they pressed out. But our vehicles here seems to rust quite a bit more than those in warmer climates without snow and more notably, salt.

Let me demonstrate:
My C10's frame that spent it's entire life in MIchigan:

And and example frame from a vehicle from the south:

There's still paint on that frame!

 

[B_to_C]

how do you remove spring bushings??

Like this...

 

[cybrfire]

I have a giant old press I bought off a machine shop going out of business. So big, it simply starts to crush the spring eye, and yes, I had the proper diameter drive. The sleeve just rots and the rubber/rust mixture seems to forge some kind of super material that should be patented, it just becomes fused with the eye. Only way is heat. I've done many, and the only one I've ever had press out was my buddies truck which he had just brought up from North Carolina.
I've had no trouble with metal on metal parts being fused/rusted, ball joints, ujoints, crap that was sitting underwater for decades at a junk yard, presses right out with the press, but rubber/rust/metal combo, seems to create something different.

If you can press 'em out, great, I'd love it if they pressed out. But our vehicles here seems to rust quite a bit more than those in warmer climates without snow and more notably, salt.

Let me demonstrate:
My C10's frame that spent it's entire life in MIchigan:

And and example frame from a vehicle from the south:

There's still paint on that frame!

I would have to agree. I have a 30 ton shop press. The table bows and the top frame bows and the bushing just laughs at it.

 

[mr250twostroke]

Wow... rust must make your lives difficult . Thank goodness no rusty here !

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I have a press and I generally don't have good results using it to remove bushings.

I use drill bits to remove as much of the bushing material as possible and then pound or press them out. IME, this method is much quicker and easier.

 

[dremu]

There are two major "rites of passage" that every serious K5 guy needs to make.

1. Removing spring bushings
2. Drilling / Grinding out frame rivets for shackle flip


These are two of the most miserable jobs for a young enthusiast with limited tools in his shop. Once completed you will have an emmense satifaction and a new and humbled appreciation for how difficult a "simple" job will sometimes be....

Amen to both counts ... once you do those, everything else is easy. Of course, then you start thinking you can do anything, including an engine assembly and R&R and then you find out you need a ballpeen hammer

I am never gonna let Scott let us live that down

-- A

 

[Avery4jc]

I feel so dirty every time I see your rigs from up there...