Can I use a torch to help remove leaf spring bushings?

Original rear leafs on my '55 Chevy. The outer sleeve on the front bushing is extremely thin and 100% bonded to the leaf eye. After going at it for an hour with an air hammer/chisel and tons of PB Blaster I have hardly made any progress. At best I've only managed to remove an area the size of a dime. The springs have surface rust but are in good shape. I would like to try some heat on the bushing but its so thin and well bonded to the eye that I'm afraid I will transfer too much heat to the spring. Is this a good idea? I dont want to risk damaging the spring's integrity.

 

Rubber fire will not bother spring integrity. I burn out A frame and spring bushings every week.

 

Ive used heat in the past and by being careful never heated the spring to a high enough level to do any damage. You need to heat the eye bush rather than the spring - I know it will burn and stink and all the rest but it is an alternative to remove them by brute force. i jave seen guys get a hacksaw blade and cut into the bush from the inside out but it is a long and tedious process

 

So the springs are out of the car and you are trying to change the bushings? I am pretty sure they wrap the springs around the bushings when they make the springs, and the hole after you get the old bushing out is not perfectly round. Or am I misunderstanding the question?

JW

 

Springs are tempered around 400F, after quenching. So as long as you keep the temp to 400 or less you will be fine.

 

I ***ume you already have the rubber and inner bushing out. I use a hacksaw to cut the outer bushing. There is usually a gap where the end of the loop meets the leaf. When the outer bushing is cut, it will peel out. Depending on how tight the fit is, you might have to make 2 cuts.

 

ive done it with the cutting torch you can watch it melt away without even hitting the oxy. easier to do than type.

 

The rubber is out. The first thing I did is slice the the side of the bushing but it wont peel away, i'ts bonded that well. I've only been able to chisel a small piece off. I'm hoping some heat will make it separate. Keeping it under 400 will be tough.

A new pair of springs is only about $250 but besides these being the originals the car sits perfectly and I dont want to have to deal with new springs settling and altering the ride height.

 

So I heated up the bushing and was able to get it out. Everything went together nicely.

 

put the bottom center of the eye on concrete with the open end up on a sturdy bench, hit the top center of the eye with a sledge and the eye will open some for each hit. if you get it too loose for the new bushing, stand the spring on end and close it by hitting the open end of the eye to close it. I did springs for years, it works every time.

Dave

 

sorry, on concrete OR a sturdy bench...