Quick Q: remove old spring shackle bushing?

[SteveMa74]

Progress update: ready to install my the new Cage Offroad lift (3.5").

Just one more step before I start putting the new leaf springs back on......I'm trying to remove the old spring shackle bushing and it's a pain to get out.

I've got the shackle in the vise sandwiched in between two sockets.....one small one to push the bushing out and a larger one on the other end so that the bushing can pass through. It's about 1/3 of the way out. But it's giving me a good fight.

Any suggestions to make this go easier?

This is also taking a little longer as once I started pulling everything off, I decided to sand, primer and paint the axle housing, u-bolt bracket and shackle.

 

[sprinksbeme]

I heated the rubber untill it seperated from the inner metal sleve and then cut the sleve with a hack saw then you can colapase the sleve to remove.
The rubber gets very sticky and messy.
Marty

 

[coachbarnes]

I heated the rubber untill it seperated from the inner metal sleve and then cut the sleve with a hack saw then you can colapase the sleve to remove.
The rubber gets very sticky and messy.
Marty

That's exactly the way I did it. Fire up the torch.

 

[Skiddy]

I heated the rubber untill it seperated from the inner metal sleve and then cut the sleve with a hack saw then you can colapase the sleve to remove.
The rubber gets very sticky and messy.
Marty

Yep either way will work good, torch or and saw the sleeve. My self I hate hacksaws so I use the easy way of the torch.

 

[SteveMa74]

Thanks guys. I guess I have an excuse to get get a torch now!!

 

[Slick]

%)

I just left mine... too big of an ass pain and my fingers were too cold to care weither it was rubber or polly in there!


My vote... leave 'em stock!

 

[Madgyver]

Burn it.....................

 

[Flash69]

We used a gear puller. Put the jaws on the outside of the spring,put the screw part in the center and then use an impact on it. It pushed it right out. I was scratching my head for a while on mine then Luke came up with that idea. It worked great.

 

[broncomanbrad]

I just used the propane hand torch on mine today. I held it on the rubber for about a minute, until the rubber started to "blister" out at me. Then you do that for another minute or so and then they should just push out. Don't do it in an enclosed area though, the burning rubber is not good.