47-55.1 Rebushing rear suspension

[alaska gasser]

I knocked the rear end and springs out of my "52 long bed 3/4 ton and need to install the new brass bushings / pins. Several of the old bushings are worn almost through. One old mechanic told me to file / grind through and then collapse the old bushings to help remove them. Going through them and marking the inside of the shackles worries me. I'm sure someone has figured out the best way to accomplish this task. As well as the best way to install the new ones without distorting them.

[Zenwren]

The best method I found is to turn an old pivot pin back into the bushing and drive it out with a flat headed air hammer. You'll likely wreck the pin but it works every time for me.

[alaska gasser]

Thanks for the info.

[MARTINSR]

On a bushing like that, I have always just taken a hack saw blade and with a tool to hold it, or a vice grip or something hold it and stick it through the hole and saw down onto the bushing cutting it in half. Even just one side will make a heck of a difference, it allows that bushing to get that 1/16" inch smaller and it comes right out.

Brian

[mr48chev]

I've done dozens of them like Zenwren suggested. That said Brian's suggestion is almost word for word exacly what I was going to say.

Pop the blade off your hacksaw, slip it though the bushing, put the saw back together and gently saw though the bushing until you just get though the bushing. It should only take a minute or two per bushing an then they should knock right out. A whole lot less profanity involved too.