pressing out rear suspension bushings

[DavidL]

I'm trying to replace the rear suspension bushings on my 1990 Caterham S3/Dedion. Has anyone managed to press out the smaller (3/4" OD) bushings from the rear trailing arms? Any advice on how to do it? The problem is the metal surrounding the bush is only about 1.5 mm wide, so not much room for a puller to grab, or a socket to fit precisely. I've tried pressing against a washer that was about the right size (that I held in place using a 3D-printed little jig), but no luck, at least with a vice. I have an old Harbor Freight press, but the bottle jack died. My next move will be to fix the press so I can apply more force, and try t find a better sized washer (AN?) to press against.

 

Thanks, -David

[coffee break]

Try some penetrating oil, there may be some run bonding the metal parts.

[jlumba81]

You can drill or torch out the rubber so the center is out then use a hacksaw blade to cut the metal part.

[DavidL]

You can drill or torch out the rubber so the center is out then use a hacksaw blade to cut the metal part.

 

both good suggestions, thanks.

[Dave W]

If you torch out the bushing, Do it OUTSIDE, there lots of black smoke! Dave W

[scannon]

If you are talking about the three bushings in the rear A shaped frame that connects to the bottom center of the deDion tube I have a special made tool for that that I can loan you. It will push out the old one and install the new one.

[DavidL]

Thanks for the offer Skip, but I'm stuck(!) on the 0.75 inch forward bushes in the rear trailing arms, not the A-arm. I'm talking about the bushing labelled 7 on the Powerflex page (although I'm using the stock bushes):

 

http://powerflexusa.com/7dedionwithoutwattslinkage.aspx

 

I did successfully re-bushed the A-arm. I pressed out the two 1-inch bushes in the forward A-arm pivots using sockets, and the rear pivot bushes came out without tools. The problem with the 0.75" bushes is the very thin metal surrounding them, its hard to get enough purchase to press against.

 

Thanks, -David

[scannon]

OK, sorry it won't work for you. Good luck!

 

Skip

[Gearbox]

The good thing is that the bushings do not have a metal sleeve bonded to them. If all else fails, burn baby burn. I had a rear Elan wishbone bushing that was not budging, and a bit of heat from a propane touch melted them out but left the thin outer shell in the arm. After an hour of working it with a hack saw blade, making two cuts and careful not to cut the arm, they chiseled out with a screw driver. Not the most elegant of solutions, but the things we have to do sometimes. Good luck, and remember, you are having fun.

[DavidL]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I haven't gotten back into the garage yet to try.

 

Cheers, -David

[Zona]

I think penetrating oil will help you to fix these metal parts. Try this and please let us know is it help.