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At this time i don't even have a press or the various "chunks" of metal to use as backing plates or drives on the bushings. I would like to just take it to a shop and have them do it but am worried about any idiosyncrasies about the process and them dicking up the job also. I assume this should be a pretty straight forward job for a transmission/machine shop that would have a good press(20 ton +) and tools.. I already have the SliGlyde lube for installation i could leave with them..
For the labor any shop would charge for all the pressing you need to do, you can buy an HF 20 ton press and a set of press accessories, and DIY with Seth's awesome pictorial guide. All the factory press tools are nice to have but not essential.
For the labor any shop would charge for all the pressing you need to do, you can buy an HF 20 ton press and a set of press accessories, and DIY with Seth's awesome pictorial guide. All the factory press tools are nice to have but not essential.
Tony, I did all this in my rinky little chinese 12-ton press. No issues of pressure or press depth. However, if you are going to get a press...go ahead and get the 20 ton.
Other than that, no magic sauce. I don't have any 'special' adapters. Just sockets and pieces of metal I have collected over the years.
If I can do it, you can do it. There is nothing 'hard' so to speak about this job, just lots of little details to keep straight.
However, I see you are replacing the shock bushings as well. Contact Stan and/or Sean about that. They have reported having a bitch of a time R&R those bushings. Especially getting them started straight. All I can add is consider using a sacrificial shock pin as an alignment guide. Or a massive piece of all thread as a jack screw.
Rob...thank you for that Amazon link! I have had an Amazon gift card burning a hole in my pocket since my birthday. Now I have something to spend it on.
They were handy for the bushings in the lower control arms.
Having said that, I don't necessarily recommend you go out and buy this set. I recommend you go out and RENT this set from one of the FLAPS. It doesn't even matter if the screw clamp part is jacked up, all you need are the sleeves.
Something to think about...
I have that --^ set (I paid way, way less for it, so shop around) and it's the best money per pound I've ever spent on tools. I've found tons of uses for the various bits, outside of bushing pressing.
Last, there are some of the lower rear control arm bushings you can't do on a press unless you have that kit or can make a really good jig:
Tony, I did all this in my rinky little chinese 12-ton press. No issues of pressure or press depth. However, if you are going to get a press...go ahead and get the 20 ton.
Other than that, no magic sauce. I don't have any 'special' adapters. Just sockets and pieces of metal I have collected over the years.
If I can do it, you can do it. There is nothing 'hard' so to speak about this job, just lots of little details to keep straight.
However, I see you are replacing the shock bushings as well. Contact Stan and/or Sean about that. They have reported having a bitch of a time R&R those bushings. Especially getting them started straight. All I can add is consider using a sacrificial shock pin as an alignment guide. Or a massive piece of all thread as a jack screw.
Good Luck!
Thanks...your thread is a a good one!
i have read a few places that the shock bushings are a beyatch..but i got a good price on them and with all the rubber except the weisach bushing being replaced, part of me says I have to do it. Will see how brave i get. I have long piece of all thread from my Torque tube attempt many years ago.
A press is one of those tools you may only use once in a blue moon but when you do need it....you really need it. Looks like it can all be disassembled anyway.
...A press is one of those tools you may only use once in a blue moon but when you do need it....you really need it. Looks like it can all be disassembled anyway.
Yup. There's some stuff that is virtually impossible to do without a press, and blindingly simple with one.
Footprint on one is pretty small. They can hide in a corner most of the time.
Warning:
Once you get one, you will start to look at everything as a potential arbor plate, ring, sleeve, ect. Just about any piece of strong material with a hole in it will have some appeal.
KInda like 10mm wrenches, you can never have enough.
Dave,
What's going on in that second picture, with two wrenches?
I plan to visit Rob Edwards in the near future to replace all the rear bushings (THANKS ROB!!!) Rob has all the special tools. I just want to make sure I understand the process!
Cheers
Rick
Yup. There's some stuff that is virtually impossible to do without a press, and blindingly simple with one.
Footprint on one is pretty small. They can hide in a corner most of the time.
Warning:
Once you get one, you will start to look at everything as a potential arbor plate, ring, sleeve, ect. Just about any piece of strong material with a hole in it will have some appeal.
KInda like 10mm wrenches, you can never have enough.
This cannot be said enough. The press hides out of the way, coming to the forefront only when needed. Then...ANYTHING can be used to help press items in or out.
Dave,
What's going on in that second picture, with two wrenches?
Short story: you have to counter rotate the wrenches or you’re just turning the threaded rod through that mess of press pieces and ball-bearing supported nuts. The wrench on the left is one of the ‘pass-through’ ratcheting wrenches.
Thanks. And just to clarify, you're pressing OUT the old bushing? Are there any special tricks for aligning the new bushings as you press those in?
Yes. Pressing the one on the right out. For the pin bushings, no, not with that tool set but not using my press either. But, being careful to get everything straight initiallu. For the camber bushings with the 'double lip' I press them into one of the round press pieces to make them 'smaller' and then once more into yet a smaller piece. Then press through that second 'forming' piece with another press piece just small enough to go through. Lots, and lots of lube is needed.
Last, there are some of the lower rear control arm bushings you can't do on a press unless you have that kit or can make a really good jig:
All done except those 4...pretty easy actually with the press. Most time consuming thing is finding the right spacers and backing to push them all out. I have a large variety of impact sockets set up to 38mm....worked fine.
question is....
...is it it really worth doing those 4 bushings. I have them...want to do them...and it will bug the crap out of me if I don’t. But it is a PITA getting them orientated in the press, I can see that.
going to attack it with my threaded rod tomorrow
thanks for the input...this thread is been a great help
10-28-2019, 08:55 PM
