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Tue Dec 06, 2005 8:39 pm

Ok. I was just replacing all the shocks on my 67 microbus, and I got the rear ones on just fine. In the front, the top mount is a bolt that goes straight through the shock and fits fine also. My question is concerning the lower mount. It appears as if I must take out the inner metal bushing of the shock, because on the old shock this inner metal bushing wasn't there. There is just the rubber bushing which connects to the larger shaft of the stud. So, can I just push this inner metal bushing out of the shock? And, how should I go about doing this? Thanks, Andy

Wed Dec 07, 2005 3:54 am

My method: Vice, dowel, hammer.
Don't know if it's the right thing to do, but there was no way it was going on there with that metal bush. I assumed that the shocks weren't split -only nad that the bush was there for other vehicle types.

Wed Dec 07, 2005 7:38 am

thanks for the reply, that's just what i wanted to hear. So now I can get back to fixing my bus in -5 temps.

Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:05 am

NO!!!!!!!!

the old shock bushings are on the lower mounts. they are just stuck there. to get them off use a combo of a rust penetrant, torch, visegrips to grab and swivel and a hammer with a chisel to hit at an angle to push it off. an air chisel works great for that if you have access to one.

Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:12 am

rizzag wrote: NO!!!!!!!!

the old shock bushings are on the lower mounts. they are just stuck there.
I agree, take the old bushing of the shock mount.

I avoid use of a torch here, but am pretty damn good with a grinder,(careful NOT to go through into the stud) or even a file. Having two flat faces to get a vise grip onto is useful. Soaking overnight with PB blaster is also good. Then get the vise grips on the flat faces you filed, and whack it with a hammer to twist the bushing.

Use grease or never-seize on the mount when installing the new shocks! And on the threads of the bolts. Really!!! If you didn't do that with the rear, maybe you might want to.

Wed Dec 07, 2005 8:47 am

my methood is usung a neumatic die grinder and cutting a split in the bushing so it will spread apart, then taking a chisell to help spread it and break it free, only takes about 10-15 minutes per side,a dremill will work for this but finding quality disks for them is another story do not remove the bushings from your new shocks !!!! it doesnt work

Wed Dec 07, 2005 9:27 am

I can't figure that. The lower mount on mine has a collar on it which means that it's impossible to get anything other than a flexible material past it. the inner diameter of the bush in the shock was smaller than the outer diameter of the collar, rendering said bush useless. Be interested to hear if anyone else has a similar experience. I appreciate theat there is some flexion which will wear the rubber over time, but the fit is so tight and well greased that I don't see a problem.

Wed Dec 07, 2005 10:43 am

Bongo,

The collar you see is probably an old bushing thats fused itself to the lower shock mounting stud. Do you happen to have any pics of the mount?

Wed Dec 07, 2005 12:48 pm

rizzag wrote: NO!!!!!!!!

the old shock bushings are on the lower mounts. they are just stuck there. to get them off use a combo of a rust penetrant, torch, visegrips to grab and swivel and a hammer with a chisel to hit at an angle to push it off. an air chisel works great for that if you have access to one.

Correct.

Happens all the time. Look at it carefully, you may get lucky and the bushing has a split in it already.

I personally use an air chisel to remove the old bushings. takes about 10 minutes a side.

Wed Dec 07, 2005 7:07 pm

Well, after school and work I went out and took a look at the bushing. They are both really stuck on there, and i have neither an air chisel or a torch at the moment, so i was a bit stuck, and, it is at least 5 below 0 outside, my garage has no real heat, besides my little propane heater and a mediocre stove, so I was stopped for the night. Thanks to everyone for helping out. Andy

Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:41 am

Just so happens that the beam is on the bench at the mo' so I'll investigate. To be honest, I'll be chuffed if it is an old bush. The mounts are pretty gnarled I have to say. I was thinking about taking them down and welding a sleeve on them anyway. I guess this thread has pushed me in the right direction. Cheers Andy! I sympathise with your temperatures, same here, bloody annoying when you're trying to study something up close and you can't see through your breath!

Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:26 pm

Borrowed an air chisel from work today and man what a difference! It didn't take very long at all with the chisel. Thanks to everyone for their replies, Andy

Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:54 pm

Andy_A wrote: Borrowed an air chisel from work today and man what a difference! It didn't take very long at all with the chisel. Thanks to everyone for their replies, Andy

now take a little emory cloth to the rust on the mount and coat it with anti-seeze. then she will be good for another 30+ years.

Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:19 pm

well now i don't feel so dumb.... :oops:
been trying to put new shocks on my 64 westy...
been havin' the same problem :evil:
this web site is great :D

Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:27 pm

bugboy63 wrote: well now i don't feel so dumb.... :oops:
been trying to put new shocks on my 64 westy...
been havin' the same problem :evil:
this web site is great :D

Good job in using the Search Button and finding this thread. Seems like everything is here, just have to search.

Wed Mar 08, 2006 8:47 pm

update:
took some liquid wrench spray, 14" pipe wrench, small hammer & alot of patience :D
...got the old bushings off with a little werk :P
...got the new shocks on just fine......put a little grease on the studs too...

Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:42 pm

My teenage son is in our freezing garage turning the air blue! He's gotten the bolts off the shocks top & bottom on the front of his stock 67 bus, but the shocks won't slide off the studs. He used Knock R Loose & WD 40 but we don't have an air hammer or a torch- just the usual tools. Any advice? Besides soap in his mouth? Thanks, Mom

Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:53 pm

Correction- He's gotten the nuts off. I get nuts & bolts mixed, Sorry, Mom

Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:09 pm

DannoT wrote: My teenage son is in our freezing garage turning the air blue! He's gotten the bolts off the shocks top & bottom on the front of his stock 67 bus, but the shocks won't slide off the studs. He used Knock R Loose & WD 40 but we don't have an air hammer or a torch- just the usual tools. Any advice? Besides soap in his mouth? Thanks, Mom

Use some sort of a prybar to get the shocks to slide off. Most likely you'll be left with the inner metal sleeve stuck on which you'll need to file/lubricate/remove with vise-grips as the above posts describe.

Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:14 pm

I have had to cut the bottom of the shock apart with a grinder, then cut the rubber bushing with a utilty knife, then remove the inner metal bushing with one of the many methods described previously.