How can I remove the stock leaf spring eye bushings???

[wabbit]

I'm putting on Warrior shackles and also have a full set of performance bushings for the leaf eyes and shackle mounts.
Question: How can I get the existing bushings out of the spring eyes without the use of air tools, (which I don't have...) ???
Anyone done this? And a BFH is always nearby but I'm betting there is a technique here that doesn't involve repeated rearin' back swings of said BFH.
Help if you can...

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi Wabbit,
The bushings are pressed in, so take them to a machine shop and have them press the bushings out. you could use that BFH, but should only cost you around 5 bucks to have them pressed out.

 

[wabbit]

Thanks Ray,

But that would make this shackle swap a much bigger job. The springs are on the truck. Just the shackles are off.
Also, there is a bushing where the shackle bolts to the frame that needs swapped out.
Any more ideas???

 

[SteveVB]

I used a drill with a 1/4" bit and a cold chisel to get mine out,

I drilled 6 or so holes through the rubber and then used a hammer to knock the inner sleeve out. I then took a chisel and bent the outer shell toward the center to make a tab where the seam on the shell is, and with some penatrating oil around the edges pounded the outer shell through. Cleaned up the bore with some emery paper. I did it with the springs off the vehicle-I did the bushings front and back, and installed my add a leaf at the same time. The first one took some time but after I got the process down took maybe 45 min to get both springs done.

I did not remove the rear frame bushing didnt have the time, and it was in good shape. Next rear sus. mod I will.

 

[wabbit]

Thanks Steve,

That sounds like the way to do it. Drill out the rubber to free up the center sleeve. Cool!! I can do that...
I've got the shackles on and I'm getting ready to put in the front springs today. I'm gonna wait on the shackle bushings for the moment because I'm not sure how much lift the front springs will provide. I may end up putting in a add-a-leaf too and then would be a good time to do those bushings.