Removing bushing metal cups from rear trailing arms

JonT · 04-18-2005, 06:06 PM

Are there any secrets to getting these metal cup halves out of the center of the bore? I've heated them with torch, hammered on with chisel-just like Chuck recommends in his rear monoball installation kit. They are not budging. I'm worried about hacking up the inside of the mount. Should I heat more with torch? I'm worried about overheating this as well. Thanks

Steve Marshall · 04-18-2005, 06:32 PM

I've done this. As I recall mine had a lips on the outside. I pried under the lip with a screw driver and got one side out then I beat out the other side from the inside with the screw driver. It was a while ago, but it seems like I started out gingerly and then cranked up the force. By the time I got to the forth half it was no problem. I also recall that the old bushings were quite deformed by the time I got them out. There were a couple of burrs in the bore that I filed down. Mono-balls went in fine and I have had any problems.

JonT · 04-19-2005, 05:56 AM

Bump for the morning crowd--any other secrets out there to this removal process?

Mike Bonkalski · 04-19-2005, 06:11 AM

There are two pieces that line the opening. I used a hammer and punch to get out the first piece, then used an old socket that just fit inside of the opening and knocked out the remaining piece with a hammer.

You need to be careful with the first piece not to gouge the aluminum. Just work your way around slowly and it will eventually come out. The second piece is a snap with the socket and hammer.

304065 · 04-19-2005, 06:30 AM

I just did this a couple weeks ago- I used a screwdriver to gently pry around the edges of the lip of the steel insert- and used some PB blaster to loosen things up. Be careful that the tip of the screwdriver doesn't go flying off and pierce your cornea-- wear safety goggles for this job.

Breeang · 04-19-2005, 06:49 AM

I just did that this last weekend,the inner bushing sleeves on one of mine were determined not to come out.I used a Dremel with a small cutting disc to make a bunch of cuts (through the sleeve only NOT the arm itself).These cuts were radial (in line with the center of the opening) and then I pried the 'petals' up with a screw driver.This appeared to have ruined the integrity of the sleeve because the with a quick soaking from PB blaster it was fairly straight forward to drift out with many careful whacks on alternating sides.Don't try and beat it out with great heroic wallops,you may just warp it and wedge it.

Chuck Moreland · 04-19-2005, 09:13 AM

You can use a hacksaw to put a slice in the cups. Fit the blade through the hole, then attach it to the saw.

Be VERY careful to not cut the aluminum. In fact, you don't even need to cut all the way through the cup. Just slicing a groove eases the tension and allows it to come out easier.