The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Best way to remove spring shackle steel bushing

I'm replacing the rear shackles and bushings on my 1950 Chevy 3100. The steel bushings are really stuck in the eyes, on the frame and the springs. What is the best method to get these out? I do have a acetylene torch...heat the eyes and keep banging away? My other thought would be to sawzall through the bushings in couple of places before heating. I would be thrilled to have someone come and show me how this is done!

Hi Rocket man,

I replaced the bushings on my '47 a few years ago using Pre '68 Dave's method. It worked quite well.

Here's a link: Bushing Replacement

BTW, it's great to see another Iowa Stovebolter, welcome to the SB! Be sure to stop by the new Heartland Bolters forum in the Side Lot. Where are you located in Iowa? I may have a road trip in the near future........

Let us know if you have any questions and good luck!!

I've driven many of them out with just a 8 pound sledge hammer. With the screw pin installed as if the shackle was still in place (3/4" sticking out) hit the end of the old pin...as the pin/bushing move out just unscrew the pin to expose another 3/4" and hit it some more! Then use a long bolt to draw the new bushing in.

Mike B

A ball joint press is a great tool for removing and installing spring bushings. It looks like an overgrown C-clamp with a hole in the fixed pad.
I've used all of the above mentioned methods and in my opinion the ball joint press works best, least likely to damage anything and able to apply the most force.

The ball joint press which Grigg has mentioned (he probably has 4-5 of them laying around ), are available at many FLAPS for a fully refundable deposit.
Carl

Ball joint press from FLAPS, easy as pie.

I vote for the press too. An impact gun makes the job go even better.

I used an old socket and some all thread. It worked for 3 of the 4 bushings. The last one required a body saw, chisel and lots of cursing.

Thanks for the attachment...looks like it will work. Hopefully, I've been making too much work out of this...will let you know. I live in Knoxville, Sprint Car Capital of the World!
We're Hawkeye fans...in Iowa City for the Rutgers game.

EZ PZ!!!!!

I had the old bushings out, new ones pressed in and shackles attached in an hour and a half! I spent three hours this past weekend trying to hacksaw and chisel one out which never happened. These type of sites are super!

Thanks so much for your knowledge!

[quote=Rocket man) I live in Knoxville, Sprint Car Capital of the World!.[/quote]
Knoxville, IOWA! I want to spend a few days there sometime in the future. Looks like a nice place.

Nice job Rocket man! We always like to hear about success stories, keep us posted.