Rear Beam Bushes

[PeteZ3]

Hi all, I've attempted to remove my beam bushes today, got it in the position I need to to get the dam things out, but I have come to terms with the fact that I might need a tool to it because they are pretty well stuck in there.

So does anybody have one that I could borrow? Or know where I can get a decent tool for not too much cash?

The bushes were completely gone... The metal part inside the rubber bush pretty much dropped right out when I got it down!

Pete

 

[Low Rider]

@Lee might be able to advise

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Got mine out using a hacksaw, if the inner thick metal sleeves have separated then there's only a fairly thin bit to go, sandwiched in the rubber. I cut down either side of the dimples in the beam and used a long thin chisel to bend the bush in a little. Couple of whacks with a hammer and the bushes came out.

 

[PeteZ3]

Got mine out using a hacksaw, if the inner thick metal sleeves have separated then there's only a fairly thin bit to go, sandwiched in the rubber. I cut down either side of the dimples in the beam and used a long thin chisel to bend the bush in a little. Couple of whacks with a hammer and the bushes came out.

Sounds like that's the way to do it I guess! I'll give it a shot then, cheers

 

[the Nefyn cat]

It'll be easier if you've got access to a press, or the right tool, but a good hacksaw will do the job. Have fun.

 

[PeteZ3]

It'll be easier if you've got access to a press, or the right tool, but a good hacksaw will do the job. Have fun.

Yeah I know... I didn't have fun removing the 4 m6 bolts that hold the bush plate on. Mine were rather rusty. I had to drill one out! :'(

 

[5harp3y]

Tool is available on eBay for less than £30

 

[duckhunt]

How long would you say this job should take on the driveway?
Do you have to drop the whole rear end out?
Are there any other bushes or jobs convinent to do at the same time?

P. S hope the exhaust arrived...

Cheers

 

[GazHyde]

We use a blow torch on the outside to start softening the rubber up, then use an 11ton press to push them out. We've tried all sorts before, but nothing works better than this!

How long would you say this job should take on the driveway?
Do you have to drop the whole rear end out?
Are there any other bushes or jobs convinent to do at the same time?

Time depends on how well setup you are, and if you are doing on your own. We can get a rear subframe down in about 2 hours including driving in to the garage (but we've done about 15 so know the drill). You do have to drop the whole thing down, as the swing arms and diff hang off the beam.

Have a look through the ZedShed section and that will give you a good idea of what's involved.

 

[billz]

Got mine out using a hacksaw, if the inner thick metal sleeves have separated then there's only a fairly thin bit to go, sandwiched in the rubber. I cut down either side of the dimples in the beam and used a long thin chisel to bend the bush in a little. Couple of whacks with a hammer and the bushes came out.

Thats how i used to do mine on the older cars when i did not have enough money to get some one to do it

 

[PeteZ3]

How long would you say this job should take on the driveway?
Do you have to drop the whole rear end out?
Are there any other bushes or jobs convinent to do at the same time?

P. S hope the exhaust arrived...

Cheers

Taken me longer than other people purely because of this rusty m6 bolt, but should have taken a few hours... You need to disconnect the suspension, the rear stabalising sway bar and the actual bush and the plate its in, oh and the diff mount bearing... You can then lower the lot just enough SK that it clears the bush beam pins but making sure that you don't go lower than any pipes will stretch... You could do the diff mount bush and the other bushes on the subframe I suppose whilst its down.

Tracking says the exhaust is at the depot, don't know when it will set off, hopefully today. I have that section off anyway for this job, so it will just get put in instead

 

[PeteZ3]

Unfortunately I don't have an 11 ton press lying around haha, wish i did!

Its the same process I used for the diff mount bush that I will be using. Primative, but it will get the job done

We use a blow torch on the outside to start softening the rubber up, then use an 11ton press to push them out. We've tried all sorts before, but nothing works better than this!


Time depends on how well setup you are, and if you are doing on your own. We can get a rear subframe down in about 2 hours including driving in to the garage (but we've done about 15 so know the drill). You do have to drop the whole thing down, as the swing arms and diff hang off the beam.

Have a look through the ZedShed section and that will give you a good idea of what's involved.

 

[Brian H]

Tool is available on eBay for less than £30

You sure that is for the rear beam bushes and not the trailing arm bushes?

 

[5harp3y]

Yeah, rear beam bushes.

 

[NZ00Z3]

Photos below of a cheap alternative that works. Beam is off a steering wheel puller kit.

 

[PeteZ3]

Photos below of a cheap alternative that works. Beam is off a steering wheel puller kit.

Cheers, this looks good! Something I could put together with bits I have!

 

[duckhunt]

I've had an idea since I bought a fan holder tool to make all sticky of members with specialist tools that could be loaned out when you others are doing certain things jobs..?

 

[Antm72]

Great work so far hopefully you will get the bushes out with out to much more fight !

 

[GazHyde]

Which ever way you do it, application of heat to the beam housing will help significantly. We've tried pushing them out using the press without heat, and it can lift whoever is holding the beam down off the ground. Apply the correct amount of heat, and it's so much easier.

 

[deano1712]

I have a tool for this somewhere in the garage. Let me know if you want to borrow it.