For the bushings I have found the easiest thing to remove them with is a "ball joint press" It looks like a big C clamp and works great. Save yourself the frustration of trying it any other way and spend the money on a cheap one, it'll work fine.
I removed two of mine with a long bolt and some pieces I turned on the lathe. Then I found out about the ball joint press and removed another set in about 3 minutes. The first set took a few hours...
About bolts or rivets,
I don't disagree with that the others have said, but personally I would re-rivet the spring hanger.
The frame for my 48 had bolts holding a front spring hanger on and I replaced them with 3/8" hot rivets like original. I think you will be fine with bolts if you chose, but I wanted originality. I also think that the rivets do a better job. They are a little difficult to do right and take some special tools. If you decide to rivet you will either know how to do it or you should get help from someone who has done it before. I suppose we could tell you how to do it, but it's about 75% experience (trial and error).
Grigg
