Easy method of bush removal
Discussion
As I am now in the process of replacing the bushes on my Griff, and having sought advise on how to do this from various sources, including the bible, I've found an easy way of getting the old bushes out, which may be of use to anyone conteplating doing the same.
The bush is made up of 3 pieces. An outer and inner sleeve of steel separated by a rubber insert, which is bonded to both the inner and outer sleeves. The outer sleeve is an interference fit in the wishbone and the iner sleeve is longer than the outer and it gripped by the pick up flanges when the wishbone is bolted in place.
This means that the outer moves with the wishbone and the inner stays put, so the rubber insert flexes to allow the movement.
In my opinion, this is the incorrect bush to be using for this application. These bushes are suited to static vibration isolation, such a sthe diff mountings, but not for moving parts such as wishbones.
However, the problem is getting them out so they can be replaced with something like a superflex bush.
My solution was to get a length on M8 threaded bar, some washers, a new inner sleeve (from my set of new bushes) and a 23mm or greater socket. If you pass the bar through the inner sleeve of the bush, put the socket on one end, held in place with washers and a nut, and place the new sleeve on the other end, held in place with more washers and another nut, and gently tighten, the new sleeve pushes the old sleeve and rubber insert out, into the socket. Once you've got it about 3/4 of the way, you can remove the aparatus and twist the bush out using some mole grips, or similar.
This leaves the outer sleeve in place, which can them be cut to reduce it's size, and then drifted or pressed out quite easily.
You are likely to cut into the wishbone slightly when you cut through the sleeve, but this shouldn't matter too much, as the new superflex bushes do not move relative to the wishbone, the inner sleeve swivvles in the bush.
The bush is made up of 3 pieces. An outer and inner sleeve of steel separated by a rubber insert, which is bonded to both the inner and outer sleeves. The outer sleeve is an interference fit in the wishbone and the iner sleeve is longer than the outer and it gripped by the pick up flanges when the wishbone is bolted in place.
This means that the outer moves with the wishbone and the inner stays put, so the rubber insert flexes to allow the movement.
In my opinion, this is the incorrect bush to be using for this application. These bushes are suited to static vibration isolation, such a sthe diff mountings, but not for moving parts such as wishbones.
However, the problem is getting them out so they can be replaced with something like a superflex bush.
My solution was to get a length on M8 threaded bar, some washers, a new inner sleeve (from my set of new bushes) and a 23mm or greater socket. If you pass the bar through the inner sleeve of the bush, put the socket on one end, held in place with washers and a nut, and place the new sleeve on the other end, held in place with more washers and another nut, and gently tighten, the new sleeve pushes the old sleeve and rubber insert out, into the socket. Once you've got it about 3/4 of the way, you can remove the aparatus and twist the bush out using some mole grips, or similar.
This leaves the outer sleeve in place, which can them be cut to reduce it's size, and then drifted or pressed out quite easily.
You are likely to cut into the wishbone slightly when you cut through the sleeve, but this shouldn't matter too much, as the new superflex bushes do not move relative to the wishbone, the inner sleeve swivvles in the bush.
Took me a few hours Sunday before last, pulling the inners out (using the same method) & cutting the outers on the fronts 
Last Saturday when i had access to a mates largish vice it took 20 mins to crack all the rear bushes
a few mm, then a couple of minutes more to persuade all of them out with a drift/socket & largish sledgehammer 
I know which method i would use
& i will be buying a bigger vice...
Last Saturday when i had access to a mates largish vice it took 20 mins to crack all the rear bushes
a few mm, then a couple of minutes more to persuade all of them out with a drift/socket & largish sledgehammer I know which method i would use
& i will be buying a bigger vice...
Andrew, i know what you mean but even cutting you need a bench/small vice, (as i said i will be buying a bigger one) if i had known how much quicker it was i would've bought one before...
I would think a friendly local back street mechanic or engineering firm would do it for you for a few beer tokens
or let you have the use a vice...
As i said i originaly used the same method as you...
I would think a friendly local back street mechanic or engineering firm would do it for you for a few beer tokens
or let you have the use a vice... As i said i originaly used the same method as you...
I have also just done this. Not quite got the wheels back on yet but fitted all the bushes. I machined a part to fit inside the bush with a dimple in the end (actually turned down the end of a bolt. Then used a £6.50 track rod end splitter, which fits just fine on the wishbones to push the rubber bit out. Then used the hacksaw and tap out with a socket method for remaining bit.
I found lining up the holes to accept the bolts a challenge and in the end made two 11mm alignment pins with tapered ends. Was quite surprised how hard and cracked the original bushes had become. Hoping to go round corners a bit better now.
Have any of you done the rear as well ? If so any tips, as that is next on the list.
I found lining up the holes to accept the bolts a challenge and in the end made two 11mm alignment pins with tapered ends. Was quite surprised how hard and cracked the original bushes had become. Hoping to go round corners a bit better now.
Have any of you done the rear as well ? If so any tips, as that is next on the list.
Would be interested in any Pictures and info to put on my site for future reference if anyones interested.
BB
TheGriffithPages
>> Edited by Ballistic Banana on Wednesday 2nd February 21:10
BB
TheGriffithPages
>> Edited by Ballistic Banana on Wednesday 2nd February 21:10
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