Tips or tricks to remove rubber bushings?

[4X50 Exploder]

OK, I’ve got all the replacement Polly Bushings on hand for the rig and I go to replace the first one... 400+K miles has fused the OEM rubber busing to the axle arm like its one piece!

A hack saw and a bunch of cursing later and I still have a gross amount of material left that is fused to the inside of the hole...

Has anyone found a good way to get the rubber off of the surface where I need to install the new bushings?

 

[little x]

Use a propane or mapp gas torch and burn it off (outside). While it's melting take a piece of scrap metal or an old screw-driver and scrape it off.

 

[KPSquared]

If you're talking about the axle pivot bushings, then ya... fire is your friend. I used a cutting torch, burnt the crap out of the stuff and scraped it out with a screwdriver.

 

[4X50 Exploder]

Wow, you guys were right on the money! The first one had all kinds of chunks stuck to it after cutting and prying it out with a screwdriver. On the second one I took a ball joint press and used a socket, two sizes smaller than the bushing, to force the bushing out. It still left a good bit of rubber attached but the torch trick cleaned them both up in a matter of minutes...

Thanks!