Anyone ever tried to remove/replace shift coupler bushings with an air hammer?

[fastfredracing]

Wow, did I just stumble on a sweet timesaver trick.
I was putting some new shift coupler bushings in my buddies carrera. I usually use the shop press, and I hate doing this. The bushings squish, and it always seems as if I am going to break the coupler before I get the pin out. I have never broke one, but....
I was just getting ready to chock the coupler up on the press, but I had left my air hammer laying on the bench right next to the press, and that got me thinking. The air hammer is my go to tool to get certain things apart when they become stubborn.
I have a couple of hammers, but I have a smaller plastic bodied one that I use frequently when I do not want to mutilate something. I have a punch attatchment that I use to drive out frame rivets on trucks, so the tip is pretty well rounded. They come with a sharp point, but you could grind one down to smooth it off.
I mounted the steel shaft portion of the coupler in a vise, and a few light taps on the center pin,with the air hammer at half trigger, and viola' , the pin walks right out, replace bushings, a few more light blows on the pin to go back in, bam done. This was by far the fastest, easiest , cleanest install of these I have ever done.
Just wanted to pass this on, give it a try next time, It was too easy.

[Oracle]

Nice tip! Years ago I destroyed a perfectly good coupler trying the press, approach... I had to buy a new one

[Tsunamiboy]

Can you post a picture of your air hammer? I have several air tools but not a hammer. Not sure what an air hammer looks like?

[BSNMOE]

I'm wondering if this all would be easier if you put a butane torch on the bushings and heat them till they soften or even melt them. I never tried this, but, it appears that would be allot less effort. Also, I thought about putting the coupler in the vise and drill out the plastic bushing by making sort of a relief cut.