'81 240 trailing arm bushing replacement...done!

May 31, 2004 0 Replies

I bought the poly ones from FCP Groton so I wouldn't have to buy/rent/fabricate a tool to press out the old ones. These bushings use the old sleeves. I only needed the ones at the axle. All my other bushings looked pretty good.



What a snap! I thought it would be a tough job. I just drilled some holes in the rubber, then used a torch to heat them. Right. As soon as the torch touches the rubber, it ignites. That actually expedites the process. Then as the rubber loosens/softens, you can use a chisel or screwdriver to just push the messy stuff out of the sleeve.



I used a 2" wire wheel on an electric drill to finish cleaning out the sleeves. Since the exhaust is close to the right side bushing, I used a 90-degree angle drill attachment I got at Harbor Freight for $10 or so.



The bushings I had put in the freezer until I was ready to install them, so they would be contracted and easier to push in.



They went in easily, and the center steel was a little more difficult to push in, but the grease that comes with the bushings made it doable.



Now I have no clunk, no driveline vibration, no changing of direction when I apply or lift off the throttle. Very nice!! KennyH



Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.


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