Hydraulic Press

Hi,

I am considering buying a hydraulic press, as I intend to fully refurbish both axles and all the suspension.

what pressure is best? I guess a 6 tonne might be a little under powered.

I don’t want to over kill but want to make sure it will do every thing.

Buy the largest capacity you can afford and have space for.
I've seen bush sleeves need over 20 Tons to free them, but also under 1 Ton.
Whatever you choose, sods law dictates that it won't be enough for all occasions.

My gut is telling me 20t, can pick them up for under £200. After that they seem to get expensive

Safetyspice said:

Hi,

I am considering buying a hydraulic press, as I intend to fully refurbish both axles and all the suspension.

what pressure is best? I guess a 6 tonne might be a little under powered.

I don’t want to over kill but want to make sure it will do every thing.

Click to expand...

You can just wind the bushes in using threaded bar, a couple of nuts, and a big socket as a spacer.

I've just revisited a thread I did about renewing suspension bushes several years ago and took some pictures of the gauge on the press. I had it round to 15 tons in some cases getting the old ones out. The only thing I failed to shift was the rear axle centre ball joint, which would not separate from its bracket even though I put 25 tons on it. It was enough to bend the bracket and get the dial on the press right round into the red section. Fortunately you can get the ball joint and bracket as a complete assembly and it doesn't cost very much more. I put Superpro polybush type things in, so they'll come out a bit easier next time. They've lasted very well, since the autumn of 2013, so maybe it's nearly time for new ones.

6 ton nowheres near man enough.
20 ton should be enough, but you might be surprised.

I bought a cheap 20 tonne press for not much more than £120 a few years ago, I wouldn't be without it.
It makes a huge difference when changing bearings and bushes. It is a lot easier than destroying vices and other botches.
Top tip, if you have bits of close fitting tube for pressing bearings out, cut a slot in it them and they work better and don't get stuck.

Thanks guys 20 tonne it is, I have found one new for 179.

Turboman said:

You can just wind the bushes in using threaded bar, a couple of nuts, and a big socket as a spacer.

Click to expand...

Spring bushes I knocked out with an impact hammer drill then made up a tool from the threaded bar from an old scisser jack to wind them in...just done the bushes on swivles yesterday hammered out easy...

Shippers said:

Spring bushes I knocked out with an impact hammer drill then made up a tool from the threaded bar from an old scisser jack to wind them in...just done the bushes on swivles yesterday hammered out easy...View attachment 264079

Click to expand...

I have done quite a few Series suspension changes without a press, in fact, I have never had a press at all.

But having read a few of the replies in the thread, it seems the chap is talking about a Defender, which I rarely have to do with.