[DeTomaso] Suspension bushings - extraction

[David D Fisher]

To all who responded - Thanks you very much!    Its interesting that when you 
are in the shop by yourself you can get tunnel vision and only see one way to do 
something.  


I have to admit that I was stubborn enough with my press that I will be 
straightening one A-arm before they  all go out to powder coating.  (This is 
always the dilemma with a press, especially an air powered press - "perhaps just 
a little more force will break it loose").  


Straightening, however, looks to be a much easier task than removing the 
bushings.   It appears that a piece of solid shaft should run precisely through 
both A -arm ends without binding. 

David
 




________________________________
From: "SOBill at aol.com" <SOBill at aol.com>
To: fisher95020 at yahoo.com
Sent: Sat, March 31, 2012 10:55:39 PM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Suspension bushings - extraction

 
David,
 
http://www.panteraplace.com/page211.htm details how to remove/install the 
bushings with hole saws, adapters, and a stout vise. I think this is the 
quickest and cleanest way to do the job.
 
http://www.panteraplace.com/page210.htm details how to remove/install the 
bushings with hole saws, adapters and a portable press. I thought this would be 
an improvement over the stout vice method, but it really isn't an improvement 
when shipping costs are factored in. Better to spend the money on a really good 
bench vice.
 
http://www.panteraplace.com/page82.htm details a tool to help in removing 
bushings.
 
I have these various hole saws, adapters and the press. I have done several sets 
of bushings. The drilling and vice method is the simplest IF you have really 
stout vice.
 
I can loan you the hole saws and adapters if you will pay the postage. These are 
fairly light parts.
 
The portable press is not light and you would need to buy a Harbor Freight 
bottle jack.
 
A third method, which I have not used, is to burn the rubber bushings out by 
setting them alight with a propane torch. Then cut lengthwise thru the outer 
sleeve with a hacksaw. This will relieve the pressure between the bushing outer 
sleeve and the a-arm. Then drive the outer sleeve out. You will need an adapter 
and a stout vice to press the new bushings in.
 
Let me know if I can help.
 
Have fun today,

sobill at aol.com 

In a message dated 3/31/2012 6:46:17 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, 
fisher95020 at yahoo.com writes:
Can anyone lend some ideas on how to extract the extension bushings from all the 

>suspension arms?   I have welded up a jig with a piece of iron pipe that is just 
>
>large enough to clear the largest diameter steel flange on the bushings, but 
>given that all the bushing ends can only be supported on one side in a press,  
>and the bushings are taking about 4 tons of pressure to get out  (according to 
>the gauge on the press for the two I managed to extract),  I am having a heck of 
>
>a time.   I've used penetrating oil and have not yet resorted to heat, but the 
>real challenge is holding the arm in a level position from only one side without 
>
>bending it. 
>
>
>Thanks
>
>David
>
>_______________________________________________
>
>Detomaso Forum Managed by POCA
>
>Archive Search Engine Now Available at http://www.realbig.com/detomaso/
>
>DeTomaso mailing list
>DeTomaso at list.realbig.com
>http://list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso