Tricks to pressing in Sway Bar bushing?

[palposity]

Okay I am a novice when it comes to suspension work. Trying to get the sway bar bushings replaced. The ones on the inside are easy enough as they are split and just wrap around the sway bar, but the outside ones are pressed in. Got the old ones out, but how the heck to you compress the rubber enough to get it pressed in? Any advice?

[Buick455]

I did mine a few Weeks ago and it was a PITA as I remember but now I am not 100% sure how I did them. I think I removed the center tube from the bushing, installed the rubber bushing then tapered the tube end on the grinder and pressed in the tube with a c-clamp with an impact socket on the other side supporting the rubber from pushing back through (use silicone lube). I may have made a bullet nose to guide the center tube but that does not ring a bell but would help.

[palposity]

Good tip! Thank you!

[Buick455]

You know I may have put a bolt through the rubber and drew in the metal tube vs using the c-clamp. I know I tried various methods before I found one that works so that is why I can not put my finger on what I did. Note: Your shop looks just like the one I had when I used to live in Remsen NY. I was just in Syracuse this week.

[kris's66lwb]

yalls bushings a pressed in ? mine on my 80 were split ones that boletd on

[palposity]

Originally Posted by kris's66lwb

yalls bushings a pressed in ? mine on my 80 were split ones that boletd on

Mine is an 86. On the 86 4x4 there are 4 bushings on the sway bar. The center 2 are the split bolt on ones, the outer 2 are pressed in.

Originally Posted by Buick455

You know I may have put a bolt through the rubber and drew in the metal tube vs using the c-clamp. I know I tried various methods before I found one that works so that is why I can not put my finger on what I did. Note: Your shop looks just like the one I had when I used to live in Remsen NY. I was just in Syracuse this week.

Well howdy neighbor, er uh, former neighbor!

[blazer2007]

there was a thread or a post on a home made one in shops on this site,I can,t find it right now

[Buick455]

The bottom line is the hole is much smaller than the bushing so it is not obvious how to install the new bushings but it is possible as I have done it as mentioned above. I think I pulled them in like I mentioned in my last post.

1. Remove center metal tube from new bushing.
2. Insert the new rubber bushing into sway bar which installs easy as it is now much smaller.
3. Tapper the end of metal tube on a grinder.
4. Insert the mounting bolt through the metal tube and through the rubber bushing (using silicone lube).
5. Put a large washer on the threaded end of the bolt and nut then tighten the nut drawing the tube through the rubber bushing. Note: If the rubber starts to move you may need to use a socket on the washer side to exert the force against the sway bar vs the bushing.

[jonessmc87]

i ordered the poly sway bar kit from LMC and all i did was put the supplied lube on the outside of the bushings, and pressed each side of the bushing in. then put the sleeve through them. I used my fingers the whole time, never had to chamfer anything or use a c clamp.

[Buick455]

That is the difference between the factory rubber bushing and a Polly bushing but they also function differently (in some cases). Rubber bushings like those used in the front of leaf springs flex during rotation where as a Polly bushing does not and the rotation is between the bushing tube and bolt where you need lube or eventually you will get squeaks. There are pros and cons of both.