The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 51 3100 rear spring shackles replace

I'm changing the rear springs in my 51 chevy short bed. I got new shackle kits and ubolts.I got the front bushing and pin replaced and the ubolts but the shackles are giving me a minor problem. The spring eye has a new bushing that is threaded and the pin is also threaded. The upper pin is the same. However the bushing for the upper is worn out and the threads are unusable. I have a threaded bushing to put in there but not sure how to remove the old one.I tried driving it with a 3lb sledge but it won't move. There is a small lip still extending past the bracket.I tried drilling it out with a slightly smaller bit but the bit didn't seem to be cutting. It is a good/sharp bit. Anyone have experience removing these? I plan on breaking out the torches in the morning and attempting to drive it out,in pieces if I have to.---Jack

You need to fabricate a tool to press it out. Lengths of pipe, threaded rod ,washers, nuts. If you do it right, you can use the parts to pull the new one back in.

I followed your link and got a 6" x1/2" carraige bolt,3" piece of 1" pipe and washers and a coupling nut.The worn bushing pulled right out. No fuss.---Thanks