Removing the rubber bushings from the Drag Links.

[CJHenderson]

How can I remove the bushings from the drag links? I have tried prying, soaking in WD40, and no room to use a drift punch.

[specracer]

Hydraulic press? Can always burn them out with a torch also

[Shvegel]

You need some sort of press fixture to push the two metal plates together.  I use a vice and 2 short tubes.   if you get the metal plates to slide up the threaded tube there is a small clip that retains the plates.

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=11244.0

[doitwright]

Have you tried to cut them out. I have removed them from 2 cars and don’t recall them being a struggle.

[Mike K]

I did mine last year and used a torch, prised them out with a pry bar, a large screw driver also works, it only took a few minutes.

When it comes to installing the new bushings you will need a bushing press. You can rent or buy one for about $40- it's worth the investment.
Also make sure to use liquid soap NOT grease to help the new bushings slide into place.

Have look at the first part of this thread:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=9060.0

Best
Mike

[wwheeler]

I had my axle rebuilt and they did the arms as well. The rebuilder used grease on the bushings and it resulted in the tapered bushing trying slide out of position! I had to pull it all apart and clean it and reassemble with soap. Don't use grease!

[George Des]

I took a very large and old socket and cut a slot in the side going about half way around. I used this as a drift in a shop press to push down on the plate. The slot allows you to easily remove the circlip that is fitted around the tube that locks the plate in position. Not a tough job using this method.

[Benz Dr.]

I went cheaper than that - no sense ruining a good socket. I used a piece of pipe, cut it to length, cut a piece out of one side and then I squeezed it in a vice until I had it the right size. Used with a shop press it works great. It's impossible to assemble without a jig of this type.

 BTW, those are trailing arms, not drag links.   

[George Des]

Ya, Dan, same idea. I just grabbed the first thing I saw that looked like it would work. That happened to be that big old socket that went tot a 3/4" set I used to have. the key thing whether you use the socket or pipe is the slot to let you get at the circlip. There was a picture of the factory drift in the BBB that showed something very similar.

[merrill]

there is a post on this forum that i referenced to do mine.

I used a large bench vise, one one side i put 2 sockets between the vise and on of the washers.
compressed and pried out one clip.

once one side is done you can just drive the core out

[ja17]

You can do it without the vice if you use a large bolt and nut through the bushing. Also use the special socket or pipe of your choice or making and washers as needed. When you tighten up the bolt and nut, it compresses the rubber bushing, so the snap rings can be popped off. I'll try to post a pic of my arrangement later.