suggestion on tool for this job.

[bowlofturtle]

I recently encountered a seized rear shock bushing. I pretty much destroyed most of it. So now i need to drive it out and install a new one.

Parts should be in mid-week and i need this done by the weekend.

So this is what i'm dealing with. The bolt that holds my shock to my rear spindle. You can see its a rubber bushing, the bolt goes thru completely and there is a fixed nut on the other end that is weld to the shock. This is a Nissan 350z, bolt head is a 17mm. Rubber bushing with metal collar.

What happens is the metal collar seizes to the bolt. So when i turn the bolt, the bushing is spinning as well. I had my IR impact at it full blast, used all the oils i can.

On this picture its on the right hand corner, that top bushing where the shock goes thru.

The whole thing is about a 1.5-2.25 in diameter.

I got a new bolt and bushing on order, so i'm thinking mini-torch off everything. Either cut-off wheel that bolt or so something to make it come off. I can figure that out. How do i drive the outer metal sleeve of the bushing and install the new one.



http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FEJG66/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I can rent this from autozone. Not sure if it will work



http://www.harborfreight.com/four-wheel-drive-ball-joint-service-kit-4065.html
or

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-1-ball-joint-u-joint-c-frame-press-service-kit-38335.html

Never used this item, dont know how to use them but someone said they could work.

I was told to torch off all the rubber, hacksaw the inner metal sleeve and drive it out with a chisel. Then hammer it in, i looked and think i can use my 24mm c-man impact socket to drive it in as the diameter is really close, its not as big but VERY close. Maybe drive that out and in with a air hammer.

Please let me know guys.


edit:

maybe this but i think i will lack room to drive it thru.

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-bearing-race-and-seal-driver-set-95853.html

 

[Hawk321]

Measur the diameter of the bushing first and post in metric sizes.

 

[Rickster]

This is also quite common on older 60's Mustangs when replacing the rear leaf springs. The front leaf spring eye is held in place by a bolt the slides through a metal collar in the bushing. The fix is to use a saws-all with a titanium cutting blade and cut the bolt on both sides of the bushing. Then pry the bushing out and replace it.

 

[JeremyManning]

I see your using mastercraft, Canadian tire loans many specialty tools, you may find they have what you need without forking out money for a tool. Small grinder may fit in.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Yeah, cut the bolt at both ends with a cut off wheel, or saws all, or torch, should be able to cut out old bushing with a air chisel, press like you showed above should work to press it in.

 

[Piper]

yep, get a new saws all blade, cut on the easier access side first and go slow. You may be able once cut to grab hold of the segment and use your impact to spin the nut of if you're lucky.

There is no easy way to do this job, and have band-aides ready!

 

[jamesc]

sawzall is the best way to get that apart with the least damage. cut the bolt on the inside of the shock on both sides. the centre of the bushing looks like it will fall out at this point. then you can get a good view of the rest of the bushing you need to remove. a ball joint press would be ideal but chiseling and hammering to remove and install will work but may be difficult.

 

[bowlofturtle]

thanks guys.

I dont have any of the tools mentioned in this thread tho, so i'm trying to get a combo of the best tools to use.

i have a 3in cut off wheel, most likely wont cut it. I've been meaning to get a air hammer. No use for a sawzall but i think this pair with the balljoint press would be the fastest and best method of attack.

Any opinion of the balljoint press tools listed above. I will be out looking at the car tomorrow to get you a measurement.

 

[Dustball]

I've done this a few times before but with leaf spring bushings.

Use a cut-off wheel in an angle grinder and cut off the bolt between the bracket and the shock eye.

Drill several holes in the rubber bushing around the steel bushing and push it out. Clean up the metal bushing using a wire wheel and put it in your new bushing.

 

[boomerangg22]

thanks guys.

I dont have any of the tools mentioned in this thread tho, so i'm trying to get a combo of the best tools to use.

i have a 3in cut off wheel, most likely wont cut it. I've been meaning to get a air hammer. No use for a sawzall but i think this pair with the balljoint press would be the fastest and best method of attack.

Any opinion of the balljoint press tools listed above. I will be out looking at the car tomorrow to get you a measurement.

You would be real surpriased how often you might use a sawzall. Looks like it'd be the ticket for the job too so theres once

 

[theoldwizard1]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004FEJG66/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I can rent this from autozone. Not sure if it will work

You have the right idea, but you might have all the tools yo need already !

Get a large C clamp and a deep well socket that is bigger that the head of the bolt but still contacts the side of the shock mount. Make you own "press" and push the bolt into the deep well socket "receiver cup".

May have to get creative and find something to put on the end of the bolt as it becomes flush with the other side of the shock mount (small socket ?).

This will likely require more then 2 hands to get aligned and apply pressure.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I thought maybe the bushing has an outer sleeve he needs to cut out. Like a older upper control arm bushing. Have to look at the new one. If that is the case, lacking a air hammer, maybe he could open a hack saw and get the blade in there, and close the saw back up, and saw the sleeve, then knock it out with a hammer and chisel.

 

[bowlofturtle]

i'm heading over to HF on tuesday. Gather some cheap tools since most is one time use.

I saw the sawzall is like $30 thats no biggie. I know i have to cut that bolt for sure, as its seized to the bushing collar. Then maybe if the sawzall has clearance to cut the metal collar around the bushing. Then then hammer it out myself or get a air hammer to do a quick job of that. Maybe use the same method to drive it in. Renting that tool from autozone is FREE and if i dont use it, it will be all good.

I do have an angle grinder on hand. Is there an attachment i can put on that CUTS? all the ones i've found is more of sand/buff

 

[Piper]

ya you can buy 1/16" cut off wheels for your angle grinder that'll work fine. Make sure you've got your safety goggles as the sparks will fly. Lotsa air req'd too so hopefully you've got a good sized compressor. The cutoff wheels are sold in packs of 6.. (that job could be a 2 wheel task as the metal is likely quite hard). The socket/C-clamp press works fine too.

 

[junk4dummies]

If you were close I would loan you the tools or come and do it for you.
A good air cutting tool is a must. I have had one for 40 years. I use it all the time in construction. I could not live without it. I have a Mulwaukee sawzall and I have use that to cut many a bolt with a metal cutting blade. I have variable speed one and it works very well. Chicago has some very good pawn shops I would check around. You should not have a problems finding good used tools where you live. 40 years ago I could tell you where to go but that time has long passed.

 

[GreyOwl]

Are you replacing the shock/strut? If so just use your angle grinder to cut off one of the legs of the shock and pull it apart then dig out the rubber bushing with the cut off leg.
If not disregard.
Charles

 

[JASTECH]

+5 for SawZall or other recip. In the day I would do it as always with a hacksaw!

 

[bowlofturtle]

If you were close I would loan you the tools or come and do it for you.
A good air cutting tool is a must. I have had one for 40 years. I use it all the time in construction. I could not live without it. I have a Mulwaukee sawzall and I have use that to cut many a bolt with a metal cutting blade. I have variable speed one and it works very well. Chicago has some very good pawn shops I would check around. You should not have a problems finding good used tools where you live. 40 years ago I could tell you where to go but that time has long passed.

thanks for the offer. I wish you were close. I've never done a task like this. I wish i never will.

Are you replacing the shock/strut? If so just use your angle grinder to cut off one of the legs of the shock and pull it apart then dig out the rubber bushing with the cut off leg.
If not disregard.
Charles

I would very much like to keep the shock. This was suppose to be a coilover install but that went south on me.

+5 for SawZall or other recip. In the day I would do it as always with a hacksaw!

I got a email from HF today. With the coupon on a $22 sawzall. I'll be getting this. Maybe a hacksaw if i dont have enough clearance.



I measured out the diameter best i could. Its 1.5inchs give or take 1/4inch the bolt being there and the shock leg made it a little hard to get a good read. But i'm about 90% sure its 1.5 inches.

 

[Nick M]

Cut the bolt, then use a torch (mapp gas is ok) to burn out the rubber, or drill holes. Then use a hack saw to cut the inner sleeve, chisel out. Put your new bushing in the freezer overnight. When ready to install, heat up the control arm a little, and use something like this to press in. If it's a press fit bushing, a c-clamp or hammer isn't going to work.

As you can see, I should have used thicker steel, and grease on the threads. I ended up wrecking it and seizing the nut. BUT it worked.

 

[bowlofturtle]

went to HF to prepare for war no torch tho, will go to home depot for that one.

 

[Dustball]

No need for a torch. Drill out the rubber then push out the bushing.

 

[bad_idea]

Good luck. One more vote for the sawz all here. You will be amazed at the uses you find for the sawz all. Old plumbing under the house, forget the hacksaw! Cordless sawz all is great for junk yard trips. Cutting drywall out. Any and all rip out. Trimming the trees, who wants to climb a tree with a chain saw? They even make a chisel bit for the sawz all that can be used for ripping up old flooring. The list goes on.

 

[bowlofturtle]

No need for a torch. Drill out the rubber then push out the bushing.

I always wanted one. Plus GF says she wants to borrow it for her "creme brew-lay" win win situation here plus i'm not paying for it =P

Good luck. One more vote for the sawz all here. You will be amazed at the uses you find for the sawz all. Old plumbing under the house, forget the hacksaw! Cordless sawz all is great for junk yard trips. Cutting drywall out. Any and all rip out. Trimming the trees, who wants to climb a tree with a chain saw? They even make a chisel bit for the sawz all that can be used for ripping up old flooring. The list goes on.

Yea i thought about a cordless one but i'm dumping my 19.2V C-man line and i haven't found a replacement line to go with.

Hopefully i can get this done in a matter of minutes. Cause once i cut that bolt off, that car is STUCK here if i cant fix it and will need to be towed out.

 

[binder man]

I'm assuming you tried spinning it with the impact while someone beat on the other end of the bolt with a hammer?

 

[bowlofturtle]

yep.

Actually my first move would be spinning with a impact and air hammering the other side.

I want to avoid cutting the bolt as much as possible, but gut tells me i will have to.

Seems like i'm not the only one, fellow owner posted this.

Another just cut it right on out.