RE: cooking the bushings, reply

["Peter" <webb.p@domain.elided>]

An alternate method is to drill holes in the rubber portion about 3mm apart
all the way around.   Then repeat the process in the rubber between the
holes (or use said sawzall) to remove the inner sleeve and some rubber.
Then you can use the method of cutting the sleeve and poking it out.   You
can also cut 2 slots in the sleeve opposite each other.   Then the two
halves come out easier.

-Peter


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided]On Behalf Of
> AlfaBill LLC /alfabill.com
> Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 11:55 AM
> To: alfa@domain.elided
> Subject: cooking the bushings, reply
>
>
> >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.
> >
> >
> >Jon
>
> Jon,
>
> I am spoiled to live in Florida, where there are a few freedoms left, no
> helmet laws, no emissions testing, (we had it and it didn't improve air
> quality, so Jeb killed it).
>
> In my experience, installing bushings for my own cars, the
> propane torch is
> effective but painfully slow. The BBQ method was faster, more
> effective and
> less time was spent on clean up. Of course, use common sense and have a
> fire extinguisher handy. Do this at your own risk etc.
>
> On the 164 front arms we did, the rear cooked out beautifully, and the
> front did as well, afterwards, the sleeve came out with a bit of
> help from
> an air chisel, but would have come out equally with a hammer and
> punch. It
> did seem to relieve the adhesion.
>
> If you look at the pieces, they are not exotic. I also doubt you are
> creating any more heat than when they were welded up together in
> the first
> place. Even the bushing makers recommend burning them out.
>
> Anyone have any constructive comments? I'm curious. I'm not endorsing the
> method, just stating that it works for me.
>
> Bill Harkell
> AlfaBill LLC
> PowerFlex polyurethane suspension parts for Alfa
> Tampa Florida USA
> http://alfabill.com
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