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Posted by: tradisrad Aug 21 2009, 09:03 AM

I purchased Elephant Racing poly bronze bushings for the rear. I spent a ton of time and several broken drill bits removing the stock rubber from one trailing arm.
This task was a big PIA.
Is there another way, for those who don't have a 20-ton press, to remove these bushings? Any advice is appreciated.

Posted by: jaxdream Aug 21 2009, 09:10 AM

Have you tryed heating with a propane tourch to melt / burn the rubber out of the arm ?? The propane tourch shouldn't get the metal too hot to ruin the heat treatment of the shaft and arm.

Jaxdream

Posted by: tradisrad Aug 21 2009, 09:25 AM

yes, I applied heat and had them smoking. Worked great for the front, but not so great for the rears I am working on.
The elephant set comes with special shafts, so I am not worried about getting those hot. I did not want to use heat on the painted surface 'cause I don't want to repaint, but it's too late now!

Posted by: McMark Aug 21 2009, 11:19 AM

Here's what I do. They come out smoothly. No broken tools, no cursing, 20 minutes for both sides.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: tradisrad Aug 21 2009, 11:53 AM

McMark, thanks I'll give that a try! I'm working on the Green 14 I bought from LarryR.

Posted by: J P Stein Aug 21 2009, 12:02 PM

Fire is your friend....unless you live in CA.

Posted by: ChrisNPDrider Aug 21 2009, 12:02 PM

Yes, they are a pain to get out! I found that my 2 favorite tools helped a lot


After heating, I pounded the thing (pulling looks nicer). Then I used a razor blade to cut out what was showing of the bushing. This helped get more access for the heat to melt away the bushing inside. It took like 2 hrs to do the first one, 1 hr to do the second one. Good luck

Posted by: kconway Aug 21 2009, 12:14 PM

Mark,
So are you pushing the rod through the bushings and out the other side of the swingarm?

Kev

Posted by: sean_v8_914 Aug 21 2009, 12:15 PM

a press works best

Posted by: jaxdream Aug 21 2009, 12:21 PM

This is exactly what I did , pushed the shaft out one side , got the bushing out , put the puller / pusher on the other side pushed the shaft back through the bushing and then removed that side using heat from a propane tourch - both sides done

Jaxdream

Posted by: tradisrad Aug 22 2009, 09:50 AM

McMark: You saved me hours on the second trailing arm. So why does Chuck at Elephant recomment drilling the bushings out?
To anyone doing this job. DO NOT DRILL, use McMarks method. Minutes compared hours...

Posted by: SKL1 Mar 24 2013, 06:37 PM

Now what?

Pushing out the hubs with a 12 ton press and bang! Hub came out taking one of the bearing races with it, on each side!!

Posted by: bandjoey Mar 24 2013, 06:42 PM

WAtch this for the hubs and bearings:

http://www.pmbperformance.com/video.html

Posted by: SKL1 Mar 24 2013, 07:23 PM

Figured Eric would have the answer!

Bet I'll need the dremel as hard as the hubs came out!! Sounded like an explosion when they finally "fell" out!!! Damn they were under a lot of pressure!!!

Posted by: SKL1 Mar 24 2013, 07:35 PM

Installing rear bearing video won't work- hopefully just a temporary problem...

Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 24 2013, 07:53 PM

Do you have a press?

Posted by: SKL1 Mar 25 2013, 05:41 AM

Yep a 12 ton HF that looks like the one in one of your videos... used it to pop out the hubs along with one of the bearing races

Posted by: 02loftsmoor Mar 25 2013, 09:36 AM

I looks like you came from cold country, is there rust in bearing seats??

Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 25 2013, 04:05 PM

I simply press the shafts out. As follows:

1. Set the shelf at the 4th hole from the top. Heat the shaft with a MAPP torch (the threaded section sticking out from the bushing) until there are wisps of smoke from the rubber.

2. Press the shaft through the first bushing.

3. Using the largest flat head screw driver you can, pry the rubber bushing up and out from the inside. Go back and forth and you'll see it move upward and eventually out. Not hard at all.

4. Drop the shelf to the 5th hole down.

5. heat and press the shaft through the other bushing. Get the shaft very hot so it can press through the bushing without binding. Otherwise the bushing can bind and go into the arm.

6. The press will not have enough travel to get the shaft through the second bushing. Move the shelf back to the 4th hole and finish the job.

7. Repeat step 3.

Very easy. No mess. Not much stink. Yada, yada, yada...