DIY Suspension Bushing Puller Tech TipFollow-up on a successful removal of all four spring-pin bushings from shackle-mounts on frame:
1. 3/8" carriage bolts broke too easily, so I went to a 1/2" carriage bolt with the head ground to match the diameter of the bushing to be removed.
2. After easily removing two bushings, even this set-up failed. During the third use, the "torque" of tightening the nut was so great that the threads were distorted to the point of seizing the nut on the threads. I had to cut the bolt to remove the puller.
Before resorting to a swazall to cut the bushing from side-to-side:
3. After considering using a new 1/2" carriage bolt (5" length is all that is needed) and a grade 8 nut (rather than a standard grade nut), I realized that a longer nut would distribute the "torque" over more threads (and perhaps not distort the threads).
A 1/75" inch long hex coupling-nut is readily available) from any hardware store. I ran a 1/2"x13 tap through the nut to be sure there was not a "stop" in the middle of the length of the nut.
4. Four, thick 1/2"-holed flat washers were used between the coupling nut and the 1" short nipple "receiver". (Two washers had distorted too easily).
This final design worked great and can be used again (no distorted threads and no broken bolts and no distorted washers).
The Tech-Tip mentions installing the new bushings but offers no suggestions. This was quite simply accomplished by:
- Clean the hole in the frame mount (coat with a penetrating oil - WD-40?).
- Freeze the bushing.
- Place a 3/8" carriage bolt in the bushing; start the bushing into its hole in the frame-mount; and, drive the bushing home by hammering on the carriage bolt's head (easy peasy).
I'll post photos of the driver assembly if anyone is interested.
