Shackle Bracket Bushings Stuck

[jeeprisk]

Need advice on how to get these old bushings out of brackets without destroying the bracket.
Or, if I get new brackets and bushings...
I did get new and the bushings will not go in as they are slightly bigger than opening.
.877 bushing to the .857ish hole.
Read multiple posts but none quite explain the problem I have.
A 3B manual shows the bushing, called a bearing, and it stated "pressed" in.

Thanks
Jeeprisk

[Rus Curtis]

jeeprisk,
Never done this before.  I would like to assume that the spring mount (frame part) has a tube that this bushing fits into. 

You say you have new bushings.  Can you post an image?  When I look at your bushings, I see an inner metal sleeve for the bolt.  Then I see the rubber cushion.  I'm thinking I see an outer metal sleeve of the bushing that is press fit into the tube of the mount.  I may also be completely wrong.

I googled and found an some youtube videos where there was a lot of pounding or cutting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktAZqFllpSk

This video demonstrates using anti-seize to install:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+replace+jeep+cj+pressed+in+bushings+on+spring+shackles&docid=608022255166972978&mid=E2C6699AC9B4F78BFC17E2C6699AC9B4F78BFC17&view=detail&FORM=VIRE


 but also found this forum on old chevys:
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1327271/re-best-way-to-remove-spring-shackle-steel-bushing.html

that offered a link to a "how to" on pressing it out:
http://chev235guy.blogspot.com/search/label/Spring%20Shackle%20Bushing%20Replacement


I offer these to hopefully generate more discussion.  I'm sure someone here has done this before and can give some good tips on how to proceed.

[jeeprisk]

Here's the new brackets and the bushings that came with new shackle kit (the flat bar, silent block).

[Rus Curtis]

I can see the outer sleeve on the new bushing (and the tube on the replacement brackets).  So, I'm really thinking your old bushings are the same.  There must be a reason why those brackets are included in the kit.  Are all the other dimensions the same as what you have on right now?  Which vendor?

I don't know the tolerance for the press fit.  It seems worth a try to press one out to see how far off it really is - before cutting off the bracket......

[austin tomkies]

Hi <
 I hope this helps you remove the old bushing , this is what I've done in the past ...burn the rubber in the bushing with a blow torch or oxy / acetylene torch until the rubber is next to non existent & remove the inner sleeve of the bush that the bolt would go through ...this is a hazardous stinky messy job ...then get the remaining outer sleeve of the bushing out by taking a blade off a hacksaw place the blade through the outer sleeve of the bushing & reattach the hacksaw frame to the blade & cut through the sleeve being carefull not to cut into the shackle bracket / spring hanger , this should relieve the tention holding the outer sleeve in the shackle bracket & enable you to bend it & pry it out ... then clean the hole in the shackle bracket with a wire brush, emery paper & tidy any burrs or sharp edges up with a file to make sure there are no obstructions to fit the new bushing ..lubricate the hole in the shackle bracket & the steel outer sleeve of the bushing you should be able to fit the new bushing using a big G clamp to push it into the hole in the shackle bracket.
you may want to check the bushing hole in the new shackle bracket is the same size as the as the original to make sure the bushings fits the original shackle bracket ...hope this gets you going again

[SteveKfl]

As Austin described, that's exactly how I got mine out, using a yellow LP set.  Once cleaned up inside the bracket as previous response described, I put the bushings in the freezer for a while to shrink it some, and heated up the bracket some all around the area, and when ready to install, I lubed the bushing and then pressed it in.  It is a messy job, but works.  Patience is key. 

[duffer]

I machined out a "punch" with the 7/16's pilot and with the OD about 0.010 smaller that the OD of the bushing.  I then used a C frame and just pressed the old ones out.  Used the same tool to install new ones.  IMO, you should avoid beating on the hangers.  They can and will bend.  The HF C frame will work for this job.

[jeeprisk]

Thanks,
Will try this.
I do have them out now.

What is the HF C?