help! how do these come apart?

[gono]

I have a TCI IFS and I'm trying to replace the upper control arm bushings with polyeurethane bushings. Has anyone else removed these? I would prefer to not start hammering on one side in hopes of pushing out the bushing. Was hoping someone had a DIY tip so I won't have to take it to a shop to have them replaced. Thanks

[skip99]

If you dont have a press and the right pieces, much less cursing involved if ya just goto the shop...

Or, you can do like me and cuss all day, cut pipe, weld slotted pipe, etc. but hey...i did it myself , small shop press and different rods and pipe. No tricks or tips ,just patience..
Push the bar all the way to one side and it will clear one bushing, enough to pull it out, the press one bushing out at a time.ive had to do all sorts of things to get bushings out, even cut them in half ..have fun!

[Bad Apache]

That doesn't look like any fun at all. And I've been doing this for a living for 28 years. Maybe try giving TCI tech line a call for a suggestion. Do you have a more detailed pic of the bushings at each end? Hopefully someone else has an idea.

[gono]

I emailed TCI tech line for some part numbers and maybe some suggestions for replacing bushings. No reply yet. I was also hoping to get some dimensions to make getting replacement bushings easier. Do you guys happen to know if a majority of must II IFS use the same parts? Or are most of these kits just based on Must II geometry? It's going to be a pain getting these out without a press. Any suggestions for replacement bushings? Brand/style?

[Bad Apache]

Unless you have access to a press, I don't think you'll be able to install the new bushings. You can be "brutal" removing the old ones, but not the new ones. There are a couple tricks to getting bushings out. One way is to drill lots of holes through the rubber part of the bushing to the point of failure. Then you can you a chisel to bend the steel sleeve in in several spots, weakening it's grip on the a-arm. And then tap it out with a punch. Some guys burn the rubber out but I don't recommend doing that on new TCI arms, lol. A deep hole saw can be used to weaken the bushing as well.
Sorry, no suggestions on the bushings. I'd stick with TCI unless they state the bushings are brand X.
Good Luck!

[gono]

Thanks for the advice. I came up with following.

Started by cutting off the excess rubber.



drilled multiple holes and chased with a hole saw. Used vice grips to pull out the inner sleeve.




Then I scored the inside of the bushing and tapped it out with a punch.



Being careful and slow will prevent gouging into the inner bushing surface.



Will post more when I install the new bushings.

[spreader]

I use anti-seize on poly bushings when installing them. Squeaked like heck when I didn't.

[gono]

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind

[Bad Apache]

Very well done!