By Redsrover (Redsrover) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 07:53 pm: Edit

I'd like to replace all the bushings up front on '97 D1. If I use a red or blue polybush, they slip right in, right? How about removing the original stock rubber bushings from things like radius arms and steering links? What is really involved and can a reasonably well equipped home garage get it done? I don't have a hydraulic press.

Red

By MTB on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 08:37 pm: Edit

Installing the bushings are easy. taking the old ones out, you could take them to a machine shop and get them pressed out, or I read that some cut them out.

By Redsrover (Redsrover) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 08:40 pm: Edit

What about a press for my garage? 6 ton, 12 ton, 15 ton? What would it take?

Red

By Tom P. on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 10:34 pm: Edit

I'd go with new rubber bushes. Since you'll take them to a shop to have the old ones pressed out, just have the new ones pressed in at the same time.

Can't help you on the press size, but someone mentioned 21 ton (?) earlier. John?

Tom Proctor
96 Disco

By Frode Hübertz Haaland (Discofrode) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 07:27 am: Edit

4-6 tons will probably suffice for some - and you'll need bigger ones for still others: 15+ tons needed on some of mine!!! Yours are about 1/3 of the age of mine, so they might slip out easier.
I'd definitely go to a tractor shop, a lorry shop or similar who do these things regularly. Bring them your links and they'll do the difficult job for a few bucks; will save you lot of fuzz finding correct drifts to press them out, or lots of work and swearing, burning and cutting them out.
Check Otto's pages for procedure of renewing bushes:
http://home.halden.net/discovery
If you fit polybushes (or any of their competitors), you will not need a press next time your renewing bushes, though it is far more expensive than rubber. Don’t forget: If you go for rubber, you’ll have to use the tractor shop to install your new bushes.
Hope this helps!
Frode

By Scott (Scott_Bowden) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 07:56 am: Edit

The red bushings will firm up the ride and will transmit more road irregularities to the cabin.
To remove the old bushings without a press takes some time. First, either drill out the rubber or burn it out with a torch. Then cut the metal sleeve with a hack saw or reciprocating saw. With the poly bushes you can put them in by hand, with the help of a hammer.
I did a couple this way, but I like tools, so I bought a 20 ton press and it's alot easier. I don't know what size you could "get by with" but I have since used the press for other things.