Is there a tool for this? The were kinda tough to get out. I imagine they are supposed to be pressed in.

I just used a big plumbing fitting that fit right onto the metal edge and beat it with a good size hammer. I dont know if it mattered but I had the bushings in the freezer before I did this.

>>I had the bushings in the freezer before I did this.<<

It does matter. It helps. If you're going to do this in the car get ready for some serious swinging of the Big F*rd Tool. My first one was so hard to get in I was afraid I was going to break the ear off the housing. On the second I froze the bushing, left the housing out in the sun (in Phoenix), buffed the inside of the bore with a sandpaper flap wheel, polished the bushing up a little, lots of oil. Much better.

>>I had the bushings in the freezer before I did this.<<

It does matter. It helps. If you're going to do this in the car get ready for some serious swinging of the Big F*rd Tool. My first one was so hard to get in I was afraid I was going to break the ear off the housing. On the second I froze the bushing, left the housing out in the sun (in Phoenix), buffed the inside of the bore with a sandpaper flap wheel, polished the bushing up a little, lots of oil. Much better.

Hes got a good point. I did this with the rear out of the car. Much easier, but still had to beat on it. :yes: I think those ears are pretty stout though. There is a tool people made on this forum if you do a good search, it consists of a threaded rod and some other parts that just squeezes it in, works well for removing them too. Or you can buy one.

I believe I used a 2" pipe cap, 1/2" threaded rod, a 2" pipe nipple, a 1/2" pipe flange, and a number of washers. Pressed those suckers right into place no problem in the car. And no freaking hammer required :thumbsup:

Now if you have a 12 bolt as I do, then you will have to cut off one side of the 2" pipe cap to fit on the DS ear.

aint it just amazing what you can do with some threaded rod, a couple of nuts, a piece of pipe, and a few washers?

Here's the one I made....

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114858&highlight=bushing+tool

I just used an all thread, washers and one of the old bushings I took out (it is a perfect match) and pulled the new ones right into place. I also had them in the freezer. Used a round wire brush on a drill to shine up the inside of the ear. All was done with the rear end on the car.

Good Luck

I made the tool MJRIBEIRO described. I used a 2 -3/4" reducer - didnt pull them all the way out, I think because of the taper of the inside of the fitting, but they were easy to knock out the last 1/4" or so. Take a new bushing to the hardware - get washers (HD ones!) as big or bigger than the big end, and the same or as close as the small end (NOT BIGGER) Worked great on the passenger side, both removing and installing. Drivers side was a different story. There wasn't room to get the BMF washers between the bushing and the 'punkin' to remove the bushing. I cut a couple of pieces of 3/16 x 1 1/4 steel about 3 - 4 inches long. Drilled a hole for the allthread and used that to pull the bushing out even with the edge of the ear. At that point I could get the washers in to pull it the reat of the way out. I did the opposite to install, again pulling it in even with the edge of the ear. From there you can get the BFH, or I used the 2 pieces of stock, but propped them up on a couple of short bolts to allow me to pull it in the rest of the way. (email me if you want a picture) I used a thick washer to spread the load over the 1 1/4 pieces too. I was working in a cold garage and couldn't take advantage of freezing the replacements. Do buff the inside of the ears, and grease both the outside of the bushing and the inside of the ears.
John

There is a tool available a while back someone posted a website that carried the tool along with a bunch of other tools and some other performance oriented stuff if memory serves me right.The tool was in the 250$ range.I used some all thread,a number of really large washers,a piece of exhaust pipe (2 1/4 I think),and a piece of plumbing pipe that was just big enough to be used as a tool to pull the bushing in.Some oil works well in pulling them along with leaving the bushings in the freezer for a day or so.
I did mine with the rear end installed but I used the a set of drive on ramps,that left me plenty of space to get the job done.

how long did you leave them in the freezer for.

Through them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer the night before you're gonna start the job,they'll stay frozen the entire time you're putting them in.

that is one cool tool thanks for the info.....Mike

Through them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer the night before

you must be married :)