How to: remove bushings from spring hangers

So I tried to remove the bushing from my spring hanger. (Only one,but I got to do them all).

I tried a bfh and an impact socket. A dozen blows and it didn't budge.

I tried using a bearing puller to press it through. That broke one leg off of the small puller I was using.

I was thinking a propane torch then repeat with the socket and bfh.

I can always drill them but that kinda sucks.

I have not yet soaked in either pb blaster or trans/acetone or other concoction.

Thoughts / successes?

 

The stubborn ones get the torch to melt/burn the rubber, then a sawzall to make a relief cut in the outer sleeve. That's my solution, anyway.

 

Try using a large C clamp with the socket. You will have to use a block of wood too with a hole the diameter of the bushing drilled through. The rubber bushing can then be pressed through. Sorry I'm kinda bad at explaining, hope it makes sense.

 

I have never been able to remove them. Fire is the only thing I havent tried and it seems is the preferred method?

 

Air hammer.
Be sure you get it on the outer shell of the bushing, or the rubber will absorb all the vibration.

 

If you try the saw method, realize that the sawzall is very aggressive. I would use the hacksaw and go a little at a time, to avoid cutting through to the hanger. Once you cut a slot in the shell, you can split it with a chisel. BTDT.

 

All of the above.

"Go ugly early."

 

I find it easiest to light them on fire with my propane torch and let them burn for a bit..then the rubber just pushes right out. Then I use a hacksaw or Sawzall and carefully slice the steel sleeve.it doesn't take much after that a flat screwdriver to get an edge started and your almost done.

 

Then to reinstall new ones I use my otc u joint installer tool and some lube and being careful they are square to the frame I push them in slowly.

 

My first guesses were right. I too thought about fire and then lapsed to beings kid and lighting a tire on fire to keep the skeeters away. Still coughing on that one I think.

Drill was my next.

Have some big C clamps, didn't think about them.

Will go the hacksaw route with a chisel if that fails.

Air hammer ... Hmm trip to cardboard freight might be in order.

 

Air chisel is what the mechanics at the Jeep dealer used. Yikes - loud!

 

I've used that approach in a few different scenarios... Jeep repairs, bar fights, picking up women....

 

LOL!

 

That's a clever way... I'll give that one a spin.

 

all of above to remove them . then get a 1" flapper sanding wheel to clean bore . I have replaced mine with the urethane bushing with sleeve . no more outer sleeve