bushings install

DC_T · Post by **DC_T** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:01 pm

I picked up a PIC bushing kit with the intention of installing the bushings myself. i removed all the suspension parts, and i've got most of the bushings out, but i'm having problems pressing the new ones in. anybody know of a good shop or tool to help w/ pressing the new bushings in? i took the parts up to a machine shop and the guy wanted $20 per bushing! thats insane considering there are about 20 that need to be pressed in. has anybody else had any experience with installing hard rubber oem style bushings?

Waffles · Post by **Waffles** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 10:24 pm

To do it correctly you need a shop press to push them in.

If you want to be ghetto like me user a 2X4 on one side then a C-clamp to push them. A few of harder ones i needed to put a pipe on the C-clamp.

5thgen · Post by **5thgen** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:00 pm

I've pressed mine in before....a little bit of a pain. As long as you get it straight, there shouldn't be any issues.

Or....If you haven't tried it yet....you might try to freeze your bushings and heat up whatever they are going into. I haven't tried it on suspension parts....but it works great on differentials.

DC_T · Post by **DC_T** » Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:33 pm

i tried the c-clamp method w/ a socket and i had a hard time getting the stupid bushing to start straight. i might try a combination of the heat/freezer/2x4/vice and see how that goes. any tricks you guys have getting the rear lca ones out? i've just been using a socket and banging them out but the rear lca ones are really rusted in there.

5thgen · Post by **5thgen** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 1:27 am

Do you have pics of what you need done?

I pressed my rear bushings out.

Drowzysleeper · Post by **Drowzysleeper** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 2:47 pm

try using lithium grease on the bushings b4 u press them in

RyanA · Post by **RyanA** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:06 pm

If I was in STL, I'd help you out. I've got a press that would have no problem. I know I can't be the only one on the board with a hydraulic press.... Who else has one???

Waffles · Post by **Waffles** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:41 pm

I had one, but it just took up room and I threw it on CL. I think rick has one, but he does not "associate" with this site anymore.

DC_T · Post by **DC_T** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:12 pm

here are the 3 left i need to get out

few i've banged in w/ a socket

ones left i need to press in

i've tried the 2x4 trick w/ the vice and all it did was smash the wood. so i screwed metal pieces on the 2x4 to keep it from smashing, and the metal just got pressed in. no way a c-clamp will work. and i've been using grease and pb blaster all over the bushing sleeves and control arm holes. my best luck has just been using a socket the same size as the outter sleeve and banging them in, but that physically sucks for one, and it smashes up the sleeve for another. not to mention messing up my sockets. right now i have a few of the bushings in the freezer and i'm going to try one more time that way to see if i can get them in. i can't believe these things are that hard to get in, i had no idea. thanks for the ideas though.

5thgen · Post by **5thgen** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:24 am

I have a generic press if you want me to press them in.