55 chevy 3100 rear leaf spring problem

[wilberweb]

Hi, Guys
I just started on my rear leaf springs. I'm rebuilding the springs with all new bushings,shackle kit,new pins.My question is How to get the rear leaf spring mount bushing out? I cant seem to get an Idea on how to remove it.
I tried to get it out with a A-arm bushing remover tool with a little modification but it wont budge.I tried smacking it with a hammer. Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks for the help

-Larry

[18tahoe]

What I had to do was get a punch and hit toward the frame, then use a torch to cut part of, hit the rest through. I can't remember if I used a little heat or not, maybe some one else will chime in.

[wilberweb]

18tahoe,
I tried hammering with a punch, its in there tight.I haven't heated it up yet. I thought I may get some other Ideas.I was reading my 55 manual it shows a tool that removes this kind of bushing I cant seem to find that exact tool.
I maybe able to build one.I may need to heat it up if all else fails.
Thanks for the reply.


-Larry

[dwcsr]

There is a tool for it but I doubt you could find it anywhere. The other option is heat and a steel punch that just fits the ID of the busing hole and heat and hammer it out.

something like this would work with heat
http://www.ebay.com/itm/48-56-Ford-F...9eeccc&vxp=mtr

[Stepside Jim]

Hi wilberweb, I just removed mine 2 weeks ago. I started with the angled punch idea but quickly realized the bushing is steel vs brass or bronze.

I didn't want to heat, no special reason, I just didn't want to.

I didn't want to try to cut it out, I usually end up cutting into something I don't want to.

I am fortunate to have an old lathe. I took a piece of 1" solid bar and cut.




The small step keeps it centered, the second step is a few thousands smaller than the outside diameter of the bushing. Worked perfect, big hammer and they came right out.

I have the new bushings in the freezer right now, I'll use the same tool for installing the new ones.

I see you mentioned making your own, perhaps this will help give you some ideas. Jim

[wilberweb]

Thanks guys,
I appreciate all the suggestions. I think Ill be making a tool then.

-Larry

[OrrieG]

If you don't have a lathe a yard sale find deep socket of the same diameter will work too.

[wilberweb]

Thanks Guys
Your awesome!!! I got it... Drove it out with a hammer. I re- installed it with the A-arm bushing press from harbor freight tools.

-Larry

[wilberweb]

Hey all,
Thanks for the advice worked great here is how it turned out.

-Larry

[mark '87 930]

Looks great Larry. i did mine a few months ago and had the same dilemma as you. I ended up hammering the old one out with the old pin screwed into it. I heated it up and gave it a few smacks with a mini sledge. Came out quite easily.

I will say that the trucks rides quite a bit better now too with the refreshed rear suspension.

[wilberweb]

mark '87 930,
Thanks mark
I just smacked it out with the pin as well.At first it looked like you needed a special press.
So the first thing I did was get on this forum and ask. Its nice having this kind of knowledge in one place.

-Larry