Removal of Front Leaf Spring Bushing

[mylesw]

Hello

I have the leaf springs off my TR4 as part of my body off restoration. I want to replace the front bushings and have tried a few methods (some heat, a drift and some penetrating oil) but am unable to get them out. Does anyone out there have an easy way of doing this?

Thanks

Myles

 

[marksaro]

The front bushing is a pressed in steel sleeve with rubber inside. I usually take them to my local spring shop and they press them out. If they have major corrosion, I have had to CAREFULLY cut the bushing into sections from the inside out with a hack saw being careful not to nick the spring. Good luck.

 

[PeterK]

A small HF 12-ton press removed mine with ease.

Yesterday (as I was using the press to straighten a generator bracket for an alternator conversion), I was wondering how I ever got by without a press. They're a great tool for your workshop.

 

[MichaelG]

Myles, a press is best, but here is an alternative that worked well for me recently...since I don't have a press and all the shops wer close on Labor Day weekend.

Use an electric drill to remove the rubber between the outer sleeve and inner sleeve of the bush, using a drill bit that goes through the rubber without cutting through the outer and inner sleeves. In a couple of minutes of agressive drilling almost all the old brittle rubber will be gone and you can knock out the center sleeve. Use a sharp[ chisel or even and old screw driver, and a BFH to remove the outer sleeve..or you could try a saw as somone suggested.

A piece of threaded rod with nuts and washers will pull the new sleeve in place....I used my front spring compressor( the one as supplied by Moss or TRF), as the rod and washers were the perfect size

Did the whole job in a couple of hours

Good luck