tips and tricks for replacing bushings in leafs and frame?

[dcrider69]

Getting ready to change out my factory frame shackle bushing and dse springs on my 69 camaro. Do you have any tips or tricks to getting the old bushing out and installing the new ones in the frame and spring? If it matters, I will be using the global west delalum. Thanks in advance!

[OBeer-WAN-Kenobi]

I had to use the "smoke wrench" on pretty much everything. I tried like hell to get it out any other way but I wasn't successful. I had to melt it all out. So, my tip would be to definitely drop the tank in preparation for that. It'll give you more room to work on the back shackles and bushings as well.

[dcrider69]

The car is stripped of everything but sheetmetal in the rear. I will keep the smoke wrench for last ditch effort.

[nicks67ca]

threaded rod and big sockets is how i did mine. Use the threaded rod like a mechanical press and the socket just spaces it out.

[dcrider69]

Thats got to be a pretty big socket, any idea to proper size to use?

[nicks67ca]

Sorry its been a while I don't remember. you can buy single sockets at sears i think if you had the right size first.

[JKnight]

China Harbor, uh, I mean, Harbor Freight, sells a 3/4" drive set of large-by-huge sockets that comes in really handy for jobs like this. The whole set probably costs about what 1 craftsman socket will at Sears. It also fits within my rule for a harbor freight purchase, no moving parts!