Rear Shackle Bushings

Good Morning All.
I am replacing the rear shackles in my 47 Ford.
Is there a secrete to putting the new bushings into the rear axle?
The axle is on the car. I have mess one up trying to hammer it in.

Thanks

 

are you using the old original style? if so , you need to drive the by the outer shell...driving on the on just messes them up. make sure you have all the old ones out

 

After you have torn up several sockets beating the old ones out [hopefully they were lifetime warranty], heat the eye of the spring after letting the new ones set in the freezer awhile. Using the correct size socket, drive em in there. I tore up so many of my Dads Craftsman sockets when I was young, but they always replaced them. Looked at me kinda funny though.

 

Thanks

I thinks that once the new ones arrive I will hone the hole out so it is clean. Freeze and heat.....

Its coming along.......

 

Polyurethane bushings?

A vise makes an excellent horizontal press....

 

On suspension parts I stay away from using a hammer, if possible.
I rather use one of my stronger woodworking bar clamps together with sockets.
You be surprised how much pressure even a small c-clamp can produce.
If a clamp doesn't fit, make your own out of long 3/8" screws, nuts and washers.
Heating the spring eye and freezing the bushing is good advice.
Together with some light oil for lube, it will slide quiet easily.

 

Speaking of polyurethane.... When I replaced the front end, the shock kit had poly bushings. I wonder if they are the same diameter?

 

I would guess they are different.

Take a look at some of the catalogs and see what the part numbers are.

Also, the OD of the spring eyes could give you a good idea.

The length would be different for front and rear bushings, but I'm sure you are aware of that.

 

there was a special tool for installing these..same diameter as shackle bolt outer housing,,drilled on one end and tapped down deep but hollow out towords the end..screw it on the new shackle bolt ***em to where the outter
met the housing..drive in both outer and inner at same time.....they had rubber in between center bolt and outer housing..heat will ruin it..be easy to make one