Removing old suspension bushing trick

[koda2000]

I was watching a car show on TV last week (Detroit Muscle) and they were working on a old Fox Body Mustang. They were replacing suspension bushings on the rear of the vehicle (I believe it was on a control arm). If you've ever had to replace larger suspension bushings you know it can be a bear to get the old ones out. You can use a press, or burn them out, but they showed a neat trick you can use. They took a drill and drilled into the rubber and the old bushing walked right out. It was amazing. I can't wait to try it on something.

 

[boominXplorer]

Everything on TV looks easy. But yes use a drill sideways to remove the rubber and air hammer the shell out. Then press the new one in.

 

[CDW6212R]

Everything on TV looks easy. But yes use a drill sideways to remove the rubber and air hammer the shell out. Then press the new one in.

Interesting. Will that work on our front diff/carrier mounting bushings? I have two of the three new ones, I haven't found the 3rd one yet. I've got to rebuild a couple of these diff's, and the bushings are about time to replace.

 

[boominXplorer]

I have a really nice ball joint press kit I try to use before going crazy with a drill bit or torch. I only replace bushings that are definitely bad, doing them just to do them is no fun.

 

[J_C]

I wonder if they expected it to come out when drilling or had assumed they'd have to keep drilling and got lucky? I've drilled bushings out before but it was more like drill 3 or 4 holes till enough material was removed that I could beat them out easier.