Rear Trailing Arm Bushings....with pix.

[njoconnor]

Tried that, and the bushing would bend but not ooze in, at least using the vise/socket method. Using a press would be different. I'd try it the way you're thinking; I agree with the logic.

Still thinking about the press vs one more try.

Neil

[njoconnor]

Ok, as my favorite philosopher used to say: "This time fer shure.....Presto!"

(Wrong hat).

So after my prior attempt at re-installing the rubber bushings into the rear trailing arms/panhard rod (and installing the wrong bushings in the panhard... ), I read some of the replies to 70spider's dilemma, and started thinking. What if....I got the metal sleeve 1/2 way into the bushing, then pressed the bushing into the arm, then pressed the sleeve home using the various sockets and the bench vise? Csaba's comment about WD-40 also stuck. Hmmmmm.....

First, it helps to have a spouse who doesn't mind celebrating Father's Day a couple months early:



With 300 sockets, I gotta have the right one.

Second, I wire brushed (with a drill/wire wheel) all of the sleeves so they were as smooth as possible. Third, made a mark 24mm from the end of the sleeve, 1/2 of the 48 mm length (used a silver El Marko... best thing for marking dark stuff!). Bathed sleeve and bushing in WD-40, and lined everything up:



The 1 1/2 inch socket holds the bushing in place while the sleeve oozes in. I stopped pressing at the half way mark.

Next, I used a 32mm socket to cover the sleeve, and press the bushing into the trailing arm, again bathing everything with WD-40, and taking my time....letting it ooze into place (no pix 'cause I was so surprised it was working).

Once the bushing popped into the arm, I pressed the sleeve in flush with a necked down 1/4 inch socket, and held the bushing in place with a 1 1/2 inch socket (fits the step on the outside of the bushing):



And it worked.



Sorry it was too late for 70spider, but if this helps someone else, great! 1 more upper trailing arm and the panhard rod to go (lowers are new from A/R due to corrosion on the inside of the bushing sockets...I could actually flex one of the walls..... )

Neil

[seabeelt]

Just as good as a HF press

[njoconnor]

Well...I dunno. Always something to be said for another tool.....

Neil