"Lowered" front shocks...how to remove the lower metal bushing?

[misfitnick]

I recently bought a pair of these shocks...

https://www.jbugs.com/product/9650.html

...to go onto the front end of my 1956 beetle, but they won't fit because of the metal bushing that is installed in the lower end of the shock. This bushing is too small to fit over the shock mount on my lower trailing arms. I have tried to press this bushing out using my arbor press with no luck, it might as well be welded in! So, is there any easy way to get that shock bushing out? Are there any other mods I will need to do in order to mount these shocks? Thanks for the help, gents!

[Bruce]

Don't try to remove the steel collar from the bottom of the shock. Instead, remove the steel collar from the old shock that stuck onto the stud of the control arm.
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[60ragtop]

here's one way to remove it

Also a chisel and hammer. Sometimes you can find the seam and open it up.
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[williamM]

[57BLITZ]

[EverettB]

[txoval]

Yep, usually heat and vise-grips will do the trick...twist it back and forth as it slides off

[Snort]

If you have an arc welder, run a short bead of weld on it. That will heat it up and give your pipe wrench or vice grips something to grip when you twist it.

[misfitnick]

Thanks Guys!! I honestly didn't realize that the original shock bushings remained on the lower trailing arms (I thought for some reason that the bushing sleeves were an integral part of the trailing arm that the rubber shock bushing might slide over...). After heating them up with a propane torch and hitting them with my air hammer, they popped right off. Thanks again for everybody that replied to my inquiry, I am in your debt.

[tisius]

yes those old shock bushings can be a pain in the...like some other stuff you come across on an old VW
Glad you managed to get it off. Mounting new shocks will make a huge improvement to handling.
_________________
drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much!

[ZENAK]

To revive an old thread for clarification....

The bottom sleeve is from the old shock and should be removed?

I know obvious question. I just wanna make sure befor I break something.

Thank you.

[VW_Jimbo]

Picture please. Since you are asking, let’s be sure you get the correct answer!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[ZENAK]

On closer inspection. I have realized I’m an idiot. After heat and lots of it, I was able to remove the old shock sleeve.

Note to all. Search and READ.

Sorry 😑

[joebsa]

I successfully removed the lower sleeve from my new shock and destroyed the rubber bushing. Had to order a new shock. My bad. If I had measured the OD of the the new shock sleeve and then measured the OD of the stud at first, I would have realized that the sleeve was still rusted onto the stud. I remember weeks ago removing the shocks and noticing that there were no sleeves in the bushings at the bottom, shrugged my shoulders and proceeded to throw them in the trash. I looked at the lower arm stud and thought that it was part of the stud due to how clean it looked. After heating it up with MAPP gas and putting a pipe wrench on it, off it came. $25 mistake, wasted time, but I will never forget what I learned and hung up that damaged new shock on my wall of shame.