Strut Rod Bushings
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 3
From: Wildwood IL
Re: Strut Rod Bushings (hdpete98)
From my expierence a few months back, the old rubber was a B***h to get out. If you don't have access to a press, (I did) drill a thousand holes through the rubber to help it out.. and beat it with a BFH and a punch. The new poly slipped right in place. Use a good quality grease on every surface that the poly comes in contact with metal. Helps with install, and reduces the chance of squeeks down the road. Good Luck!! :cheers: :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 3
From: far, far away
Re: Strut Rod Bushings (hdpete98)
I replaced my struts with new ones that already had the poly bushings in them. But if the strut bushings are anything like the front suspension bushings, I think you might find a hole saw to be useful in getting the old ones out. Something like a 1" should let you saw out the metal sleeve in the middle. Also, you can burn them out with a torch, which I've done, and it's very effective, but messy.
Do the new bushings come with a new center sleeve? If not, and you have to press the old one into the new bushings, I would think a regular bench vise would be stout enough. You'll need some lube on it to make it go, and maybe your bushings come with that. Tef-Cone is the lube that Vette Brakes sent with my poly bushings for other suspension parts. There's a similar teflon/silicone lube on the shelf at PepBoys, but I can't remember the brandname.
Good luck! :seeya
[Modified by Gator81, 11:56 AM 4/8/2002]
Do the new bushings come with a new center sleeve? If not, and you have to press the old one into the new bushings, I would think a regular bench vise would be stout enough. You'll need some lube on it to make it go, and maybe your bushings come with that. Tef-Cone is the lube that Vette Brakes sent with my poly bushings for other suspension parts. There's a similar teflon/silicone lube on the shelf at PepBoys, but I can't remember the brandname.
Good luck! :seeya
[Modified by Gator81, 11:56 AM 4/8/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 3
From: far, far away
Re: Strut Rod Bushings (hdpete98)
I've heard that it is often difficult to get the shock mount out without damaging it, but I had no problem. I sprayed it liberally with Liquid Wrench penetrant (yellow can, not blue can) and used my little propane torch to heat it up and make the pentrating oil work faster. Took the shock nut off with no problem, then removed the shock. Then, I loosened the nut on the mount just a couple of rounds, then put a wood block on the nut and hit it hard with a big hammer. It popped loose the first time. Then took the nut off and tapped the mount gently out of the two mounting ears that capture the strut rod end. Not a big deal at all. Both sides came out the same.
I cleaned up the shock mounts on my wire wheel before I reinstalled them, and they went back in just fine. Tapped them into place through the strut bushing and the mounting ears. Tightening down the nut pulled them up tight with no problem.
Good luck! :seeya
I cleaned up the shock mounts on my wire wheel before I reinstalled them, and they went back in just fine. Tapped them into place through the strut bushing and the mounting ears. Tightening down the nut pulled them up tight with no problem.
Good luck! :seeya
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 922
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Re: Strut Rod Bushings (Gator81)
They can also be a real bear to get off and it's easy to mess up the threads. There's a tool you can buy to remove the shock mounts, or you can make your own using a nut and short bolt. You screw the nut part-way onto the shock mount and screw the bolt into the other end, so that the end of the bolt hits the end of the shock mount. The nut just holds these two together. That way the force from hitting the bolt gets transmitted through the end of the shock mount and not the threads.
Have you considered adjustable strut rods? Stronger and easier to work with - maybe you could trade-in your new bushings...
Have you considered adjustable strut rods? Stronger and easier to work with - maybe you could trade-in your new bushings...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Re: Strut Rod Bushings (hdpete98)
Hi
I installed the biggest, professional puller to the shock mounts and used a big slatch hammer on the loosened nut side. No way, this corroded bushing ( center sleeve ) mooves. 34 years made them sit rock solid on my 68.
Since I intended to install new adjustable rods anyway, I just cut the rods open to get access to the center sleeve and than ground the sleeve open and was able to get the shock mounts out without damaging them.
Good luck with the removal. Gunther
I installed the biggest, professional puller to the shock mounts and used a big slatch hammer on the loosened nut side. No way, this corroded bushing ( center sleeve ) mooves. 34 years made them sit rock solid on my 68.
Since I intended to install new adjustable rods anyway, I just cut the rods open to get access to the center sleeve and than ground the sleeve open and was able to get the shock mounts out without damaging them.
Good luck with the removal. Gunther
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: Strut Rod Bushings (hdpete98)
Strongly suggest you go with the hole saw rather than trying to drill out the rubber!!!!! It's just way too easy to miss with the drill bit and hit the inside area of the strut rod, and screw it up, and then you'll be buying new strut rods. As has been said, hardest part in removal of the shock mount, strongly suggest soaking for a couple of days with PB Blaster before even attmepting removal, and then use or make the tool, and get a great big ford wrench.(hammer)!!!!!!!!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 958
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia 1985 Coupe
Re: Strut Rod Bushings (hdpete98)
Just use a vise! Find something solid that is smaller than the inside of the strut rod (socket), and use the vise to push it into something slightly larger than the inside of rhe rod (bigger socket). Spray it with some lubricant to help it along.
As for the strut rod, loosen the nut, spray with lubricant, long socket over the nut, piece of solid wood and a hammer, a few choice words and your done!
Piece a' cake!
:cheers:
As for the strut rod, loosen the nut, spray with lubricant, long socket over the nut, piece of solid wood and a hammer, a few choice words and your done!
Piece a' cake!
:cheers:
Pro
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 749
Likes: 2
From: Gabriola BC
Re: Strut Rod Bushings (Chris O')
I agree getting them off the shock mount is usually the hard part. To get the bushing out I put the torch on it until the rubber starts to burn--leave it a minute or so and one hit with a punch ( big punch ) and it is out. That also works for most a arm and trailing arm bushings that are rubber.
bob
bob
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Strut Rod Bushings (hdpete98)
I have found many a stock strut rod with egged out eyelet ends....
making for loose bushings, no matter what....steel thin and stretched from loading....
GENE
making for loose bushings, no matter what....steel thin and stretched from loading....
GENE
