How to replace bushes?

I've done a quick Google but come up with nothing.

What are the recommended methods of installing new bushes without having
access to a press? Last time, I had two vehicles here and it was a simple
matter to take the bits to a local garage. But now I have just the one.

I've heard of using a threaded bar, or long bolt, and a couple of nuts and
washers. Also, I think, of jacking the Land Rover up, then letting it down
slowly on the jack to press the new bush using the weight of the vehicle.

But I was thinking of making up a small metal frame and using a bottle
jack? Then I would also have a nifty tool for next time!

Any ideas, before I begin? Nothing worse than taking things to pieces only
to find they won't go back together again without thumbing a lift to town
to buy more tools! (I'm rural).

Derry

"Derry Argue" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've done a quick Google but come up with nothing.
>
> What are the recommended methods of installing new bushes without having
> access to a press? Last time, I had two vehicles here and it was a simple
> matter to take the bits to a local garage. But now I have just the one.
>
> I've heard of using a threaded bar, or long bolt, and a couple of nuts and
> washers. Also, I think, of jacking the Land Rover up, then letting it down
> slowly on the jack to press the new bush using the weight of the vehicle.
>
> But I was thinking of making up a small metal frame and using a bottle
> jack? Then I would also have a nifty tool for next time!
>
> Any ideas, before I begin? Nothing worse than taking things to pieces only
> to find they won't go back together again without thumbing a lift to town
> to buy more tools! (I'm rural).

Hi Derry, never had any problems inserting new bushes with a hammer and old
socket / piece of tubing, just make sure that the bush hole is totally free
of dirt / rust / burrs etc and apply a little lubricant, oil / never sieze /
copperslip etc. Getting the old ones out is usually more problematic, I
have lots of not-too-distant memories of destroying the inner part, burning
out rubbers, splitting the outer with a hacksaw blade and chisel to collapse
them out etc etc etc. prior to getting a hydraulic press.
Badger.

I have just put polybush all round on my 90, and they popped in place using only my hands! I got the Deflex kit from Paddocks, which was only just more expensive than the LR rubber items, and made the wagon feel like new.

I agree that getting the old bushes out was a trial, especially since we broke the bushwacker on the first bush. We ended up drilling holes around the rubber until we could remove the middle. We then hacksaw'ed the outside metal sheath, and collapsed it.

"Derry Argue" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I've done a quick Google but come up with nothing.
>
> What are the recommended methods of installing new bushes without having
> access to a press? Last time, I had two vehicles here and it was a simple
> matter to take the bits to a local garage. But now I have just the one.
>
> I've heard of using a threaded bar, or long bolt, and a couple of nuts and
> washers. Also, I think, of jacking the Land Rover up, then letting it down
> slowly on the jack to press the new bush using the weight of the vehicle.
>
> But I was thinking of making up a small metal frame and using a bottle
> jack? Then I would also have a nifty tool for next time!
>
> Any ideas, before I begin? Nothing worse than taking things to pieces only
> to find they won't go back together again without thumbing a lift to town
> to buy more tools! (I'm rural).
>
> Derry

I posed the same question to the group about a month ago, and unfortunately
have still not summoned the courage to do the job. waiting on a set of axle
stands aswell. but anyway, the best ideas i got were to burn out the inner
cylinder of the original, then hacksaw the out and knock it out. getting a
new one in, either using a hammer softly, or making up some sort of press. i
bought a couple of really strong bolts about 120ml long, which i will
hopefully be able to use to slowly pull the bush in.

not sure how your "Also, I think, of jacking the Land Rover up, then letting
it down
slowly on the jack to press the new bush using the weight of the vehicle."
idea will work, as from memory, the bushes sit horizontally. unless you are
going to tip the land-rover onto its side (probably not reccomending it) i
cant quite see how you're going to do this.

Sam.
"

On 24 Jun, in article
<[email protected]>
[email protected] "Derry Argue" wrote:

> I've done a quick Google but come up with nothing.
>
> What are the recommended methods of installing new bushes without having
> access to a press? Last time, I had two vehicles here and it was a simple
> matter to take the bits to a local garage. But now I have just the one.
>
> I've heard of using a threaded bar, or long bolt, and a couple of nuts and
> washers. Also, I think, of jacking the Land Rover up, then letting it down
> slowly on the jack to press the new bush using the weight of the vehicle.

The story behind Polybushes has it that conventional threads aren't
really strong enough, and the inventor was working in an enviroment
where the bushes didn't last well.

> But I was thinking of making up a small metal frame and using a bottle
> jack? Then I would also have a nifty tool for next time!

We had something like this on the farm, a brute of a rig, though it
wasn't small. Looking at stuff like the "Machine Mart" catalogue, they
look easy enough to make, but we were lucky enough to have an ancient
lathe that could turn the adaptors to fit the job.

In some ways, it can be a bit like fitting a new spider to a UJ, except
with a _lot_ more force needed.

> Any ideas, before I begin? Nothing worse than taking things to pieces only
> to find they won't go back together again without thumbing a lift to town
> to buy more tools! (I'm rural).



--
David G. Bell -- SF Fan, Filker, and Punslinger.

"I am Number Two," said Penfold. "You are Number Six."

"Badger" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> Hi Derry, never had any problems inserting new bushes with a hammer
> and old socket / piece of tubing, just make sure that the bush hole is
> totally free of dirt / rust / burrs etc and apply a little lubricant,
> oil / never sieze / copperslip etc.

Well, I took the last ones to a local garage where they have a HUGE antique
press. The guy could not get them in and said I must have been given the
wrong size. I did a bit of measuring at home, ground a chamfer, and started
them with a hammer and socket. One red faced mechanic! I don't think he had
them lined up correctly. But it still took a fair bit of force. (These were
trailing arm bushes. If the others have to be done in situ, that IS going
to be fun!).

Getting the old ones out is
> usually more problematic, I have lots of not-too-distant memories of
> destroying the inner part, burning out rubbers, splitting the outer
> with a hacksaw blade and chisel to collapse them out etc etc etc.
> prior to getting a hydraulic press.

Removal wasn't too bad, possibly because a local lad took all day doing one
side on his LR and that got me thinking I wasn't going to get caught the
same way! So I did my research and learnt about burning them out. Then used
the hacksaw and chisel method for the liners. Did not take long at all.

>Badger.

Derry
>
>

Hi Derry,

> I've done a quick Google but come up with nothing.

Suprised google didn't come up with a lot, you can't be searching on
the right kind of words used when changing bushes ;-)

> I've heard of using a threaded bar, or long bolt, and a couple of nuts and
> washers. Also, I think, of jacking the Land Rover up, then letting it down
> slowly on the jack to press the new bush using the weight of the vehicle.

Depends what bushes! Some are easier than others. Threaded rod is
generally a no-no as it strips pretty easily, but it may work for you.
Jacking up a LR I can't see working well as it's not all that heavy
and pretty difficult to get everything positioned right. Didn't work
when I tried it, anyway!

> But I was thinking of making up a small metal frame and using a bottle
> jack? Then I would also have a nifty tool for next time!

Pretty substantial frame needed, but that would be a hydraulic press,
yes.

> Any ideas, before I begin? Nothing worse than taking things to pieces only
> to find they won't go back together again without thumbing a lift to town
> to buy more tools! (I'm rural).

Last time we put genuine bushes back into a radius arm, we got a friend
to do it

All he used was a 3/4" socket set, heavy mell, anvil and large heavy
vice. Bushes out and in within 20 minutes.

If you get stuck Derry, you have my mobile, we can easily arrange to
get you mobile!

Regards

William MacLeod

"[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Last time we put genuine bushes back into a radius arm, we got a friend
> to do it
>
> All he used was a 3/4" socket set, heavy mell, anvil and large heavy
> vice. Bushes out and in within 20 minutes.
>
> If you get stuck Derry, you have my mobile, we can easily arrange to
> get you mobile!
>

Well, it is going to have to be done. The steering seems a bit spongey and
I've done the swivels so it isn't that. The effect is like slightly
deflated tyres. Had the same problem on the 200Tdi but a lot worse and that
was the trailing arm bushes, but I think Mc&D did them on the 300. I'll
need to get busy with the crow bar!

Derry

When i did the chassis bushes in my 2A, i did it with a big nut and
bolt and a selection of washers and bits of tube/spacers.
Didnt take me that long. I think i got through a couple of the big
nuts and bolts though - the threads wear out after a while.

I did try hammering one in, but found that it was hard to keep it all
straight and ended up messing one bush up by bending it when i didnt
hit it quite straight. Using the nut and bolt was much tidier.

Also - if you leave the new bushes in the freezer for a couple of
hours before you come to use them they will shrink slightly!
I also cleaned the hole in the chassis up with some sandpaper first
and used some oil on the bush as i fitted it.

Tom Woods <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Also - if you leave the new bushes in the freezer for a couple of
> hours before you come to use them they will shrink slightly!

Excellent! I never would have thought of that. And, presumably, heating the
hole it is meant to go into would be no bad thing.

Derry
(Still putting off replacing bushes. Steering is getting "interesting").