Rear spring eye bushings with special tool?

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by Kruse Family Farms, Mar 28, 2023.

  1. Kruse Family Farms

    Kruse Family Farms Light Load Member

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    Hey guys I have a 2001 freightliner classic xl that needs the rear spring eye bushings replaced. I am going to do them at home one way or another but the special press tool to do them the easy way is about $1,000-1,500 bucks. Not feasible for doing the job one time. I had a line on borrowing one but they got some work lined up for it and I don't really want to wait. So my question is what is a good way to get them out without the special tool? I have a decent select of tools but no specialty press that will do the job. I have a torch, sawzall, etc. I have a big ball joint press but it could only press them out if I cut the ears off the bushing. Looking for any input from you guys. I need to do all four cause they are shot and have my alignment messed up. Thanks!
     
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  3. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Pull the springs, press them out with a shop press. Should be able to bang it out that way in a few hours.
     
  4. Kruse Family Farms

    Kruse Family Farms Light Load Member

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    Yeah I am wondering if that might be the easiest option. I was trying not to take the whole thing apart. But it might be the way to go.
     
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  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Really not a huge deal. I used to just torch off the u-bolts and shock bolts. Then take the spring over to the press. Think it usually took around 20-25 tons to get the old bushings out.
     
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  6. W923

    W923 Heavy Load Member

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    Pretty easy to do with a hollow ram porta power a pipe spacer and some threaded rod and hardware
     
  7. W923

    W923 Heavy Load Member

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    Maybe I should say that you either have to remove the center pin part first to do it this way but I assumed that if it was causing alignment problems it was probably about ready to fall out
     
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  8. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    I made my own press using 1” fine thread all thread, nuts, heavy washers, and a section of pipe the old bushing would go inside of….
     
  9. Kruse Family Farms

    Kruse Family Farms Light Load Member

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    I think to start tomorrow I might cut the ears off of it and use my ball joint press to push it out. If that doesn't work I might just undo the ubolts and take the spring out. I wish I could use some all thread but it doesn't work for my style bushing. See the attached photo. Also the reason it has allowed the alignment to wander is because all four are bad in the rear. They definitely aren't falling out, wish they were replacement would be really easy then. The rubber section has just went bad over the years. Only reason I am slow to take the ubolts lose is then I am probably 2-4 more days for new ubolts. I have to order almost everything online or in store cause I am in a fairly remote area.
     

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  10. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    I pushed out the middle with a porta power. Twenty tons wasn't strong enough to get the whole bushing out. Then I zipped each one with the plasma cutter, and knocked them out with a chisel.

    Put the new ones in the freezer overnight. Take them out one by one. Put on some 80/90, and beat them in with a sledgehammer and a big socket.
     
  11. Kruse Family Farms

    Kruse Family Farms Light Load Member

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    Threw the new ones in the freezer when they showed up this afternoon! Was hoping that would help with putting them in. Has worked well for me with past projects. I appreciate everyone's input and ideas.
     
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