I did something stupid...

[ripley]

Yesterday I was tackling badly corroded wishbone bushes as part of a continuing (now year long) 'extensive refurbishment'.
In an attempt to remove the inner steel and rubber bits I decided to use a hydraulic ram to press them out as I consider hitting boned rubber things with a big hammer an exercise in futility.
Pay attention, here comes the stupid bit.
I braced the ram against the opposite leg of the wishbone.
The bush barely moved.
The wishbone bent.
If this post prevents someone doing the same ('though I doubt anyone else on here is quite that daft), I'll take all the derision and abuse I'm due.

I'll get my coat...

[keeno]

A really easy way to remove the rear wishbone bushes is to simply drill right through the rubber in series of about 10 holes. Takes a couple of mins and the whole bush falls out with the metal sleeve.

[jed the spread]

Yesterday I was tackling badly corroded wishbone bushes as part of a continuing (now year long) 'extensive refurbishment'.
In an attempt to remove the inner steel and rubber bits I decided to use a hydraulic ram to press them out as I consider hitting boned rubber things with a big hammer an exercise in futility.
Pay attention, here comes the stupid bit.
I braced the ram against the opposite leg of the wishbone.
The bush barely moved.
The wishbone bent.
If this post prevents someone doing the same ('though I doubt anyone else on here is quite that daft), I'll take all the derision and abuse I'm due.

I'll get my coat...

Hahahaha.... we did this the weekend before last on jakes van too

jed

[HarryMann]

A really easy way to remove the rear wishbone bushes is to simply drill right through the rubber in series of about 10 holes. Takes a couple of mins and the whole bush falls out with the metal sleeve.

Thanks Keeno, will try that, having a rear arm lying awaiting such a commonsense idea for a month or so now

[keeno]

Harry, to fit the new bushes you can easily make your own insert tool using a piece of M12 threaded bar, a large socket (something like a 46 mm I seem to remember...) and a big fat repair washer. Rubber lube the bushes and then pull them in with your homemade tool. Easy peasy, again a couple of minute job. If I get the time at work, I will post a pic of my cheapo homemade bush insert tool. Cheers, matt

[Simon Baxter]

Cut the "mushroom" into 1/4's with a hacksaw.
Tap out the inner sleeve and rubber.
Detach blade from hack saw and thread through the new found hole.
Hack saw through the sleeve to release the tension.
Tap out with hammer.

[ripley]

Thanks Jed – feeling more philosophical about it already!

Simon – That’s exactly how I did the other side – no problems, just wish i'd done that to begin with.

Matt – Cheers for tip although I was actually dealing with the ‘front upper’ wishbones not the rear ‘trailing/swinging arm’ (not heard them referred to as wishbones before ‘though the description fits). Suitable bit of tube and threaded bar seemed to do the trick with those, unless you’ve sawn the bolts off of course!

Cheers,
Mark.

[happy camper]

My kids have the perfect game for you fella