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  View original topic: Removing Micarta bushings from the front beam
jbannon Sun Nov 03, 2024 8:48 am

I was hoping someone could provide some sage advice (including tools) on removing the inner and outer micarta bushings from my front beam. The old bushings will be replaced, so there is no need to save them given how worn out they are. Thanks!

jbannon Mon Nov 04, 2024 2:46 pm

No takers?

mkhanshaw Mon Nov 04, 2024 3:45 pm

I have never done it myself but if they are hardened, could you air-chisel them out?

There are a few videos on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=remove+bushings+from+front+beam+vw+bug

splitjunkie Mon Nov 04, 2024 5:09 pm

Of those videos, only this series of three shows the process for removal. Pretty easy to make the puller from some bar steel and althread.




This one shows how to ream the bushings, but doesn't give much detail about the reamer itself.




jbannon Mon Nov 04, 2024 6:10 pm

Thanks for the feedback and comments. All very useful.

hsosa1 Thu Nov 28, 2024 6:45 pm

you can buy the smaller bearing puller tool from amazon . I think its 20bucks

jbannon Thu Nov 28, 2024 7:34 pm

Can you provide the link for the smaller bearing puller? Thanks.

VW_Jimbo Thu Nov 28, 2024 10:53 pm

You need a slide hammer and a large washer from Home Depot. You grind the sides off of the washer, around 1/4” each side, directly opposite of one another. Assemble the washer loose on the end of the slide hammer. Catch the washer on the back edge of the bushing and get it to lay flat against the back of the bushing. Then slide the hammer a few times. It pops out with very little force!
Not hard to do and not expensive. The slide hammer kits are around $60 off of Amazon. The washer is about a buck at HD.

Zwitterkafer Fri Nov 29, 2024 12:29 pm

Also remove the grease fittings first since the bushings can catch on them.

jbannon Fri Nov 29, 2024 1:08 pm

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated!

heimlich Fri Nov 29, 2024 7:52 pm

Are you referring to these?


jbannon Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:01 pm

Yes. That’s what I am referring too.

heimlich Sat Nov 30, 2024 8:25 am

They should break very easily. I've seen people use taps in other places to get right inside the bushing then pull the tap out. That would be an expensive tap. I like the above post about a bearing puller. I've used something similar on pulling the bushing out from a pedal assembly. I think it's called a blind hole bearing puller.

jbannon Sat Nov 30, 2024 10:06 am

For those that are interested, the company Cagero based in Switzerland sells a tool for removing the bushings. CSP in Germany sells it as well. It’s pricey but may be easier for some folks to use.

https://www.csp-shop.com/en/tools/pulling-tool-nee...2025e.html

https://www.csp-shop.com/en/tools/tools/suspension-wheels-brakes/

jason Mon Dec 09, 2024 10:45 pm

You can do what jimbo says. I've done that way a few times. I use a socket over the end and a long bolt. Cheaper than a slide hammer. You can also use one of the torsion springs to tap it out from the other side.

Robert Chambers Wed Dec 11, 2024 7:43 am

I made my own puller using a long threaded rod, nuts and appropriate size washers. Simply push the washers in on an angle past the bushing and they will flatten to the bushing. Tap it out using pliers and hammer or use a slide hammer puller. Pull one at a time.



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