1st gen front sway bar, please help

[koolaid81]

Changing out the front sway bar link bushings on my first gen... anyone have an idea how I can get the old bushings out of the link? They are wedged in there pretty well and I am in a spot where I have no available power tools

 

[surf]

If you have a vice you can try pressing out the bushings by using two sockets. Place one socket on one side that is the same size as the endlink and then place a smaller socket on the other side to press against the bushing.

 

[Anime]

I used a socket (1/2" 12 point) and a C-clamp to press the bushing out and into the socket. Worked great. Using the handle and shaft of a 4-in-1 screwdriver on the handle of the clamp helps if you need extra leverage.

 

[koolaid81]

Just finished, I did exactly what you did anime, only before I read it Thanks for the idea surf, didn't have a vice but I had a c-clamp!! Thanks A bunch guys, now if I can only figure out why the heck I have a spare bushing.....

 

[94Sport5]

LMAO 10 year old thread I know but I just did this yesterday and couldn't get them bushings out at all.. didn't have a clamp of any sort soo my barbaric method was to drill through the bushing several times with a drill bit and use a Leatherman to pull bushing material out until it was a clear hole through then yanked on the center shaft a bunch with the Leatherman and pulled it out. Took me 5 minutes per end of each link. You gotta do what you gotta do! lol

 

[Josh P]

Leatherman is the most useful pocket tool ever created. I used one to put a connector on 1/2 inch coax line for a cellular antenna.

 

[94Sport5]

Lol nice! My most ridiculous/time consuming uses of my Leatherman are as follows -When I had to make the holes for the speakers in the back from 5x8 to 6x9. Literally cut the sheet metal one inch extra with a wire cutters (heavy duty cable cutter) like 8-10 times all the way around the hole..then, with the Leatherman moved each flap that was made back and forth over and over until all the flaps broke off and was left with a mess of dangerous metal. Used the file on the Leatherman to make it all nice and smooth lmao.
The other time was when I had to cut the port holes out for my sub box. 2 6" port holes. Drilled a hole in the center, then all the way around the hole cutout about 8 times at the edge..then used the saw blade of the LM to cut all the way around it and make it nice. I had no power tools except a drill and drill bits at this time, but had to make due with what I had! Lol I'll likely keep it forever, it's so useful when that's all you have.