re: removing bushings-idea....

["Giller,Bruce C." <bgiller@domain.elided>]

Jon,
	AlfaBill forgot to write on how to complete the job.  After 'queing the
rubber bits (I use a Blue Wrench, propane torch) until they bubble, push
them out with a stick.  To remove the metal sleeves, cut a kerf with a
hacksaw on the inside of the sleeve.  I have used a sawzall once but it
cut so fast that I also cut into the suspension member as well.  Once
the kerf is completely thru, the sleeve will relax it's grip on the
suspension member, you can now use a drift to get it out.

	Don't use a press on the rear trailing arms since it is quite easy to
bend the out of shape.

	Bruce

	'73 GTV
	'86 Spider

> > I was reading this and want to warn you to be careful with presses, they 
> > are great but may bend the metal part you are working with, esp. trailing arms.
> > 
> > It sounds crude but if you have an old ( or neighbor's {grin} ) BBQ, fire 
> > up the charcoal and then insert the end that you want to remove the bush 
> > from. The intense heat combined with the surrounding effect makes very fast 
> > work of the rubber. It will "cook" out of the sleeve. Always have a fire 
> > extinguisher ready to be safe. Clean up, (rubber is sticky and only gets on 
> > things you want to keep). Remove sleeve if needed, re-install bushing of 
> > choice and re-assemble.
> > 
> > AlfaBill
> 
> I can see it now, as the CA Air Quality Management Department truck 
> pulls up to my doorstep..  ;-)
> 
> Yikes, the old brute force approach!   Now does this tend to loosen the 
> (possibly rusty and bound) sleeve?  And can this "heat treatment" affect 
> the strength of the steel part by changing the temper?
> 
> I'd hate to reduce the strength of a suspension member..  though it 
> might need more heat then just to cook out the rubber to do that.
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided