Suspension Bushing Tool

[Quags]

After much deliberating i've decided to have a crack at replacing the suspension bushes on my S2000 and 205 GTI.

I've not really room for one of the bench presses, are tools like this any good?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ball-Joint-Anchor-Pin-Pre...

TIA.

[Stegel]

I’ve not used that type, but I’ve used one like this.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SavingPlus-Puller-Sleeve-...

..... to replace suspension arm bushes in a couple of Mercedes. The smallest bush wasn't quite small enough but I just used a 3/4” drive socket with the rest of the kit and it worked fine. Probably not up to commercial use but for DIY fine. The C frame in the kit you posted may perhaps get in the way if you’re replacing bushes in-situ?

[CrutyRammers]

I've always cobbled something together from sockets and done it in a vice...but having the right tool usually makes things loads easier.
And grease, if the bushings come with some, or failing that, washing up liquid.

[227bhp]

You need to ask on a vehicle specific forum really as they vary a lot from one car to another. Neither of those kits will be of much use without a 15 ton hydraulic press on some stuff.
Many are bonded in now and setting fire to them with a blowlamp is the cheapest, easiest and most p1key way to do it.

[Quags]

Stegel said:

I’ve not used that type, but I’ve used one like this.....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SavingPlus-Puller-Sleeve-...

..... to replace suspension arm bushes in a couple of Mercedes. The smallest bush wasn't quite small enough but I just used a 3/4” drive socket with the rest of the kit and it worked fine. Probably not up to commercial use but for DIY fine. The C frame in the kit you posted may perhaps get in the way if you’re replacing bushes in-situ?

Thank you, that looks more like it.

I've read up a lot on S2000 ones, and particularily the lower control arm ones which can seize basically. I'm so tempted to buy a press, but I just don't think I have the space unless I put it under a tarp outside.

Considered the burning out option, but then you still need to press the outer ring out (giggity)

[kambites]

CrutyRammers said:

I've always cobbled something together from sockets and done it in a vice....

Same here, and even with that approach the actual fitment of the bushes was no more than 10% of the whole job.

[Jakg]

CrutyRammers said:

I've always cobbled something together from sockets and done it in a vice...but having the right tool usually makes things loads easier.
And grease, if the bushings come with some, or failing that, washing up liquid.

The problem is that with a vice, you need to remove the part from the car.

Quags said:

After much deliberating i've decided to have a crack at replacing the suspension bushes on my S2000 and 205 GTI.

I've not really room for one of the bench presses, are tools like this any good?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ball-Joint-Anchor-Pin-Pre...

TIA.

I bought one to change a ball joint - mainly for the metal plates rather than the press itself.



I got the old one out ok but to put the new one in I had to resort to my hydraulic puller.



I could've used a hydraulic press - but I'd need to remove the arm.

I've also used to it remove some rear bushes.



This time I had to use an impact gun on the bolt at the end to get the old ones out.

It's not perfect and has many limitations, but I would've struggled to do the above jobs without it - in situ - so I guess it's worth it?

EDIT - Through a quirk of fate I now have access to a proper press - but I'll still probably end up doing most this way to avoid removing stuff, if it's man enough.

[Quags]

I think I can get the lower one off without removing the hub from the upper arm.

That's interesting seeing one being used. I saw a video of ChrisFix using one who made it look predictably easy although it never is. Thanks for sharing.

[voicey]

If you can get the arm off then take it to a local garage. Most will let you use their press for some beer money. If you're close to me then you can use mine for free.

[Krikkit]

voicey said:

If you can get the arm off then take it to a local garage. Most will let you use their press for some beer money. If you're close to me then you can use mine for free.

I agree with this - I've used both the types quoted in the first couple of posts, and have a small press at home, but you can't beat having a proper press for the job.

Take the bits off the car, cut/burn the old ones out and then run it to a local garage.

[Piersman2]

Krikkit said:

voicey said:

If you can get the arm off then take it to a local garage. Most will let you use their press for some beer money. If you're close to me then you can use mine for free.

I agree with this - I've used both the types quoted in the first couple of posts, and have a small press at home, but you can't beat having a proper press for the job.

Take the bits off the car, cut/burn the old ones out and then run it to a local garage.

Or just take it to the local garage and get them to push the old ones out and the new ones in!

I bought this kit to push/pull the suspension bushes out on my son's bmw e46 rear subframe. Bigger version of the one shown above, but then the bushes were a bit bigger than suspension arm bushes I suppose. Did the job admirably, my existing 6t bench press and ball joint pullers were'nt going to touch the subframe bushes. The main issue was the 16m rod that came with the kit was too thick to fit through a couple of the bush centres and we had to use some 12mm rodding from B&Qs, which was 'just' strong enough for us to get the job done.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23Pc-Wheel-Bearing-Remo...

[twibs]

good luck with the s2000 ones ..lots sieze and are a cow to get off

[imagineifyeswill]

Of the two kits shown here the first is primarily for balljoint and the second primarily for wheel bearings, there are similar kits primarily for metalastik bushes which are generally very good but there are always some exceptions which reading the comments from people experienced with S2000s suggest they may be one of them.

[zsdom]

Quags said:

Considered the burning out option, but then you still need to press the outer ring out (giggity)

Do this then hacksaw the casing at 12 & 6 O’Clock to break the tension then take your frustrations on getting to this point out on the casing

[227bhp]

The burning out is for when they're bonded in with no outer sleeve, not pressed in. Although you can press them out too, they just tear and come out with a satisfying ripping, crunching noise.
I took some home the other week and held them in the wood burner like toasting marshmallows, the steel outer got so hot all round the bushes actually popped out like toast from a toaster

[Quags]

imagineifyeswill said:

Of the two kits shown here the first is primarily for balljoint and the second primarily for wheel bearings, there are similar kits primarily for metalastik bushes which are generally very good but there are always some exceptions which reading the comments from people experienced with S2000s suggest they may be one of them.

Any links to some of these please? I've looked on S2ki and most seem to have been pressed out.

[Andy 308GTB]

I bought a 12 tonne press when I did mine. They've subsequently come down in price, a quick search on eBay had them at £79.99 delivered!