Cheap press to replace bushings
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 729
Likes: 4
From: Yukon OK
Cheap press to replace bushings
I bought the poly graphite bushings for my front some time ago and just got around to replacing them. The first need was a hydraulic shop press to get the old ones out. Being cheap by nature (and necessity) I set about building my own. I used two pieces of 4" channel iron and some 5/8ths inch all thread to form the frame and an old bottle jack that was sitting around taking up space. Then cut a 3"x3" hole in the top piece. I used some scrap aluminum to make adjustable plates to back up the work and turned some dies on my lathe to push the bushings out. The dies are just smaller than the hole in the work piece and have an end that will go into the metal sleeve of the bushing. In the bottom of the die I made a hole for the top of the jack to fit in so it would not slip around. I also removed the pad on the top of the jack to eliminate any other movement and keep the work steady.
Best part was cost. Since I did not have to buy the jack the total cost was under $25
I put some pics here:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/black8.../ph//my_photos
This little press will not handle big jobs, but pushed out all my bushings without a problem. It is even tall enough with the top piece all the way up to handle the upper A arm vertically. It also has the added benefit of being very easy to store. When taken apart the two pieces of channel iron fit together and the all thread goes in the middle to make a very compact package.
Best part was cost. Since I did not have to buy the jack the total cost was under $25
I put some pics here:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/black8.../ph//my_photos
This little press will not handle big jobs, but pushed out all my bushings without a problem. It is even tall enough with the top piece all the way up to handle the upper A arm vertically. It also has the added benefit of being very easy to store. When taken apart the two pieces of channel iron fit together and the all thread goes in the middle to make a very compact package.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,594
Likes: 0
From: CALGARY ab
Originally Posted by LaVidaLoca
I bought the poly graphite bushings for my front some time ago and just got around to replacing them. The first need was a hydraulic shop press to get the old ones out. Being cheap by nature (and necessity) I set about building my own. I used two pieces of 4" channel iron and some 5/8ths inch all thread to form the frame and an old bottle jack that was sitting around taking up space. Then cut a 3"x3" hole in the top piece. I used some scrap aluminum to make adjustable plates to back up the work and turned some dies on my lathe to push the bushings out. The dies are just smaller than the hole in the work piece and have an end that will go into the metal sleeve of the bushing. In the bottom of the die I made a hole for the top of the jack to fit in so it would not slip around. I also removed the pad on the top of the jack to eliminate any other movement and keep the work steady.
Best part was cost. Since I did not have to buy the jack the total cost was under $25
I put some pics here:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/black8.../ph//my_photos
This little press will not handle big jobs, but pushed out all my bushings without a problem. It is even tall enough with the top piece all the way up to handle the upper A arm vertically. It also has the added benefit of being very easy to store. When taken apart the two pieces of channel iron fit together and the all thread goes in the middle to make a very compact package.
Best part was cost. Since I did not have to buy the jack the total cost was under $25
I put some pics here:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/black8.../ph//my_photos
This little press will not handle big jobs, but pushed out all my bushings without a problem. It is even tall enough with the top piece all the way up to handle the upper A arm vertically. It also has the added benefit of being very easy to store. When taken apart the two pieces of channel iron fit together and the all thread goes in the middle to make a very compact package.
but i have plans made, you are welcome to them .. just modify slighlty to use with your jack.. have you a welder?..
very nice work...best of all cheap!
Last edited by korvette4u; Apr 14, 2005 at 09:22 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,088
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland fl
I need to change the wheel bearing on my Nova and was considering a project just like this. I was going to pattern mine after a Harbor Freight job, and buy a new bottle jack for it since I dont own one. Great idea on how to make a compact version though!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
dan, i'll post some pics and tips for you before you start. I took pics, but I just haven't had the time or desire yet to type it out.
Remind me.. there are quite a few obstacles and tricks to it.
Remind me.. there are quite a few obstacles and tricks to it.
