I drilled out my rubber bushings and was going to install the poly into the existing - pressed in metal shell. How do you take apart the poly bushings (don't want to screw it up)?

Only alternative would be to take the arms into a place with a press and press out old outter shells and press in new polys (they gotta remove the poly insert to press in the new don't they)?

Anyone got input? Less expensive to use old outter metal shell, any drawbacks?

 

I took out my own outer bushing sleeves, so you can. Do you just not want to? Anyway, I dunno if you had a press you could press em out, :lol:

 

To remove the old metal sleeves use a hawksaw, pass the blade through the bushing, reinstall in the hawksaw frame and carefully cut the old bushing in 2 places, the shell will collapse unto itself.
After removing the metal bushing really clean the A arm with a flapper wheel in and electric drill. The inside diameter of the A arms is 1 .270 so a 1 1/4 inch flapper wheel will fit. Clean the inside bore of the A arms really well.
For the uppers both metal sleeves can be installed before putting in the poly bushings and the cross shafts.
For the uppers I install both metal sleeves part way after first greasing the outside, I then start both metal sleeves , install the cross shafts, the poly bushings the end caps , both bolts and slowly start tightening, tap with a rubber hammer and you will find the cross shafts pull the sleeves in with little force, the rubber hammer helps them slide into place with little effort.
The bottom are different and the cross shaft I believe needs to go in with the sleeves, it is not optional. I do them the same way.
Force means the fit is too tight, metal gets scored , arms get bent. Clean really well with the flapper wheel, grease well and the sleeves slide in without excess force.
I have done 3 sets this winter so far. No press used, no force, just clean, lube and a loaded rubber hammer.
If you need to press a big vise and large socket works better then a full press since you are doing one single arm at a time.

 

I borrowed a press to insert, but used the hacksaw method to remove. :cheers:

 

I know every one will flame me but a 3 lb. mallet works just fine the knock right out.

 

I wish I would have thought about using the hacksaw method when I did mine. I paid to have them pressed out and then to have the new bushings pressed in. Good idea. :thumbs:

 

Thanks for all the tips! I was resigning to take the arms to a shop with a press to press in the new bushings (got old sleeves out ok). I will try reinstalling shaft with bushing partly in place and tightening up with a little help from rubber mallet (with cleaning and greasing the a arm holes as suggested). Thanks again ... love the forum and support base of many other diy's.... :cheers:

 

A very timely post and response for me. I'm at exactly the same point in my project. Thanks guys.

 

I tried the press method but I too resorted to the 3lb. mallet for removal and installation. Worked out real well.