Hey guys I was replacing the bushings in my front leaf springs and noticed the upper rear bushing(that goes thru the frame) on the front leaf is shot. I've got it out on the passenger side but there are two sleeves left in the hole(measures about 57/64ths with sleeves) Do those need to come out in order for the 1" replacement bushings to go in or have I butchered something that I shouldn't have?

 

They should come out. They are really thin right?
Jim

 

yessir

 

They are a son of a gun to get out. I basically melted them out with a torch. You have to liquify the rubber part then drive them out hot and on fire.

You'll be left with a steel insert that I sliced from the inside with a sawzall then kinda peeled it out with a set of pliers.

 

"a son of a gun" is putting it mildly . Working in a spring and brake shop I seen guys invent new words just for spring bushing removal.

Use what you have, sawzall, BFH, gas ax, 100 ton press, made up curse words, WD40, etc ...

 

I used a bolt, socket to drive the bushing, big socket to go on the other side and just tightened up the nut on the bolt to get it to come out. The new one was much easier to put in.

 

Wow that was a little frustrating. I took the chisel to the 1st outer one and after 30 min of beating it came out. luckily the O.D of my 9/16 socket easily pushed the inner sleeve out. and enlisted the sawzall for the outer on the other side...alot quicker. I did use the socket and bolt to pull the bolt sleeves and rubbers out because I didn't have the torch. thanks for the input guys maybe in another 1/4 million miles I'll try it again.

 

My frame bushings are two pieces, pressed in from each side. In order to remove them I had to remove the mount from the frame, press them out, then press the new halves in. Then bolter her back together.

 

That's a whole different topic.