TheSamba.com :: View topic - Removing rear IRS A-Arm bushing

Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:38 pm

I am raising the rear of my 72 SB because I previously lowered it too much :?
While working in the suspension I am changing the diagonal arm bushing. I tried to remove the old bushings but they don't move a milimeter.
It is the first time I do that.
What is the best technique? I tried to hammer the inner tube in, pushing it out.... with no luck. Please help!!!

Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:48 pm

If you take a drill bit, 1/4" maybe, and drill alot of holes around the center 'pipe' of the bushing all the way around and thru. The bushing can come out easier. Don't drill near the outside 'arm' just near the center of the bushing. The holes let whats left of the rubber colapse and come out.

Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:25 am

That's the slow way, but it works.

The fast way is to find a piece of bar that fits just inside the steel collar. Insert this bar exactly half way then pry out the rubber bushing. Takes 30 sec to remove both, and they aren't destroyed in the process.

Wed Nov 11, 2009 3:31 am

X's 2

Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:16 pm

Well, I tried what you advised.
I had a hard time taking them out. They were real tight!
I finally did the drill thing in the outside half of the bushing because I could not pry them out with the bar. I didn't drill the inside besause of the lack of space, so I made an "extractor". Using a long bolt, the spacers and some washers I was able to pry the inner collar.
Thanks for you help!

Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:45 am

The bar I use is 3/4" in diameter (19mm), and 2' long (.6m). works every time with minimal effort.

Wed Nov 25, 2009 6:37 am

Bruce wrote: The bar I use is 3/4" in diameter (19mm), and 2' long (.6m). works every time with minimal effort.

I don't have such a bar, I used the hidraulic jack bar wich is certainly too loose. I wasn't able to move it a single mm.

Next time I will fabricate an extractor (long bolt+nut+proper washers+a piece of tube) to pry out the inner steel collar. I made one to extract the inner half, but at that moment I did not have the proper hardware to make it for the whole thing. With it I would have saved a couple hours!!!! :D

Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:02 am

used a nice sized flathead screw driver and popped the bushings right out