Bushing install tool., Recommendations needed. Options

[BiG bOgGs]

I’m getting ready to put my front suspension back together, but I don’t have the tool to press the bushings on. Would anyone direct me to one of our vendors that sells the tool?

Jim

[iankarr]

I tried the bar clamp method without success. If your bushings are URO, maybe they'll be a bit softer and looser.

Full disclosure: I shot the bushing install video for 914 Rubber (in my link below) and, I'm clearly biased about their quality. That said, believe me when I say this isn't a job you want to do twice. Use the best bushings you can afford.

There's also a really good chance you'll trash a bushing or three till you get them installed correctily. 914Rubber will take back any uninstalled bushings with no restocking fee...so you can get a few spares and not hold up your project.

Of course, I understand not wanting to lay out more $$ for something you already have. As Kent mentioned, there are definitely ways to install without a special tool. Very cool that John will lend you the tools. This community is amazing. Whatever you decide, good luck and be safe!

[bdstone914]

I tried the bar clamp method without success. If your bushings are URO, maybe they'll be a bit softer and looser.

Full disclosure: I shot the bushing install video for 914 Rubber (in my link below) and, I'm clearly biased about their quality. That said, believe me when I say this isn't a job you want to do twice. Use the best bushings you can afford.

There's also a really good chance you'll trash a bushing or three till you get them installed correctily. 914Rubber will take back any uninstalled bushings with no restocking fee...so you can get a few spares and not hold up your project.

Of course, I understand not wanting to lay out more $$ for something you already have. As Kent mentioned, there are definitely ways to install without a special tool. Very cool that John will lend you the tools. This community is amazing. Whatever you decide, good luck and be safe!

#cuddy_k
@BiG bOgGs

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Uro bushing are inconsistant and too soft overall. Don't use them. Uro claims to have a sport grade bushing which might be an attempt to fix the softer than stock ones they started with. No specs as usual from them.
Use a piece of 5/8" or larger thread-all and pull them on one at a time. Look at Ian's video. I too ground the bar clamp a poor choice. It take heat and lube on the bushings to install them correctly. Even with the tools it is easy for them to pull crooked and catch and tear on the sharpe corners of the rear of the trailing arm. I have done it several times even with the 914 Rubber bushings.

[Mikey914]

I tried the bar clamp method without success. If your bushings are URO, maybe they'll be a bit softer and looser.

Full disclosure: I shot the bushing install video for 914 Rubber (in my link below) and, I'm clearly biased about their quality. That said, believe me when I say this isn't a job you want to do twice. Use the best bushings you can afford.

There's also a really good chance you'll trash a bushing or three till you get them installed correctily. 914Rubber will take back any uninstalled bushings with no restocking fee...so you can get a few spares and not hold up your project.

Of course, I understand not wanting to lay out more $$ for something you already have. As Kent mentioned, there are definitely ways to install without a special tool. Very cool that John will lend you the tools. This community is amazing. Whatever you decide, good luck and be safe!

#cuddy_k
@BiG bOgGs

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Uro bushing are inconsistant and too soft overall. Don't use them. Uro claims to have a sport grade bushing which might be an attempt to fix the softer than stock ones they started with. No specs as usual from them.
Use a piece of 5/8" or larger thread-all and pull them on one at a time. Look at Ian's video. I too ground the bar clamp a poor choice. It take heat and lube on the bushings to install them correctly. Even with the tools it is easy for them to pull crooked and catch and tear on the sharpe corners of the rear of the trailing arm. I have done it several times even with the 914 Rubber bushings.

Yes this is not an easy job, it is very easy to destroy a bushing. There is a learning curve. You need to be fast, but you also need to accurate in driving these on.
Mark