I have done them twice and used a hydraulic press both times. They were pretty tight and I doubt that I could have pressed them out in a vise. You should befriend someone with a press.

 

I took the first set to a garage and had them press them.
The second set (on my other car) I tapped out, over an open vice, having read some advice to that effect.
They came out really easily. You have to make sure you tap them the right way, as they push in against a stop, but you're probably on to that already.
The new ones were similarly easy to press in with the vice.

 

Put the new ones in the freezer for a day or two before putting them in. They will go in much easier.

 

I was thinking of doing that. Have you done yours, and if so, how difficult was it to get yours out? Method?

 

I've used a shop press and hammered them out with a socket over an open vise. I've also pressed them in with a vise and I've also pressed them in with a press. Its not a really difficult job. Freezing them does make it easier. Freezing works for anything you have to press into something. Trailing arm bushings, Sway bar bushings, lower ball joints on transaxle alfa's, etc.

 

Hi, i did this during last christmas break. Were you able to find the bushings? at the time, all the usual suppliers were out. I did end up finding some on ebay.
To remove them, i didn't use a press since i don't have one. But the vise and hammer with a socket worked just fine.

 

My $.02 worth: If you are planning on doing a suspension makeover I would invest in an H Frame press ($129 @ HF ). It makes easy work of any bushing project, is quite versatile in general, doesn't take up much space and if you felt you'd never use it again you could sell it for half price...

 

My $.02 worth: If you are planning on doing a suspension makeover I would invest in an H Frame press ($129 @ HF ). It makes easy work of any of the bushing project, is quite versatile in general, doesn't take up much space and if you felt you'd never use it again you could sell it for half price...

I second that recommendation. You will be amazed at 1) how easy it makes suspension bushing removal/installation, and 2) how many other uses you find for it.

Sure, you can freeze / heat / beat / vise, but at the end of the day, a press does it quicker with less risk of damage or injury.

 

Just removed today. Was surprisingly easy with the he 12 ton press, so easy that id think tapping out or vise would have worked as well. Sway bar bushes much harder for rears I assume fonts would also have been except links damaged so bought the links with bushes in place. Without a press I'd of had to cut those out. Lots of uses for the press, a worthy purchase..

 

Was surprisingly easy with the he 12 ton press, so easy that id think tapping out or vise would have worked as well.

No, I don't agree. Things seem to come apart a lot easier when you apply a steady, constant force (like from a press) than they do when you bang on them. And that press is exerting a lot more force than a vise.

 

Thanks guys... a lot of good info here.
I think I will try them myself, and take it from there.
Thanks

 

Ok, looks like I'll be getting a helping hand from another local Alfisti that has access to portable press. So its just a matter of figuring out whatever bits and pieces I will need to use with the press. It looks like the install of new ones is straight forward. However a specific sized tube of some kind will be required to push out the originals. Any chance one of you guys know or have spare parts that can be measured and tell me either the inside diameter of the arm, or better yet, the outside diameter of the end cap.

 

Below is a video of the wishbone bushing R&R. It's not rocket science. As for as tube diameters, I would suggest using deep well sockets. If you have a decent size set you'll find a couple to use.

The most important thing is to recognize that the wishbone has a lip. So you push the old bearing out from the outside side of the wishbone toward the inside. Obviously installation would be the reverse.

Also, when you are pushing the old bushing out you may find that there is a lot of force at first. Then a bang and the bushing moves out with little force thereafter. Perfectly normal but the bang can be a little bit of a surprise if you're not expecting it.

 

Thanks for the info.
It confirms my thinking I may be able use some sockets.
Can't wait to see the video!

 

...Can't wait to see the video!

Yea, I'm expecting to hear some Oscar talk for this one...

 

I would suggest using deep well sockets. If you have a decent size set you'll find a couple to use.

Which reminds me of another benefit of using a press, rather than a BFH: The constant force of a press won't damage a socket (or your parts). Beating on them with a hammer will definitely cause damage.

 

Thats a good video, thanks for sharing.

A press would be nice to have but they are expensive over here (no HF) and take up a lot of room for the 364 days a year they are not used.
I haven't found anywhere that rents them out either.

 

I rebuilt the front end today, and wouldn't have stood a chance with those bushings without the hydraulic press I used.
The were in there are freakin seized. On top of that, they were sooo destroyed! I can't wait to get the car all buttoned up and out for a drive.