Trailing Arm Bushing - Hole Saw?

[cebra]

I have a ton of time to work on the truck now so I am doing all the projects I have been meaning to for months. Anyways, next up is replacing the trailing arm bushings. Rather than drill or burn them out, has anyone ever tried to use a hole saw larger than the inner sleeve but smaller than the outer sleeve to cut the rubber out?

[68Gold/white]

Hole saw might work. A sawzall might work too. I have used an air chisel (muffler gun) with a blunt end and smash the outer shell inwards, compressing it, allowing it to be driven out easily.

[KMC3420]

I used a drill bit barely smaller than the rubber itself and drilled the rubber multiple times to weaken it. It comes out really easy doing this. I imagine the same effect would happen with the hole saw, but it’s a 5 minute job with a drill and drill bit. Then just drive out the metal bushing with a hammer and then the rubber all but falls out.

[cebra]

Originally Posted by KMC3420

I used a drill bit barely smaller than the rubber itself and drilled the rubber multiple times to weaken it. It comes out really easy doing this. I imagine the same effect would happen with the hole saw, but it’s a 5 minute job with a drill and drill bit. Then just drive out the metal bushing with a hammer and then the rubber all but falls out.

I think the drilling is the standard but I have seen folks drill like 20 holes in each side so was thinking the hole saw may do the same thing quicker. So you only had to drill a few holes in each side to get it out, may be simpler to go with the tried and true but I may give the hole saw a whirl if I have the correct size on hand.

[67C10Step]

I did the old school heat it with a simple bottle torch and squish the center out. Only took about 10 minutes to get the center and rubber out, the outside shell was a different story.

[hayhauler71]

ball joint press will push them right out

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

I did the old school heat it with a simple bottle torch and squish the center out. Only took about 10 minutes to get the center and rubber out, the outside shell was a different story.

LOL, I can smell the rubber burning, NOW!!!

[KMC3420]

Originally Posted by cebra

I think the drilling is the standard but I have seen folks drill like 20 holes in each side so was thinking the hole saw may do the same thing quicker. So you only had to drill a few holes in each side to get it out, may be simpler to go with the tried and true but I may give the hole saw a whirl if I have the correct size on hand.

Yeah, I did maybe 6-8 holes, then knocked the metal bushing out. The hole saw would work as well, if the hole saw bit is long enough to go all the way through. The rubber in mine was pretty weak.

This link has some pictures at the bottom.

Trailing arm bushing thread

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

LOL, I can smell the rubber burning, NOW!!!

You know it! Reminded me of this line from a very good song: "You could smell the whiskey burning down copperhead road."

Cebra - you got them things out yet? If so, what was your method?

[HO455]

Are you asking how to remove the bushing from the arm or how to remove the inner sleeve from the bushing?