Old original bushings never just press out. Usually they are crusted in tight. The best way to remove them is to burn the old rubber out with a torch then use an air chisel to knock the rest out.
We did that with a lot of rebuilds at the restoration shop I worked at and never damaged anything.
Sorry but I disagree. With a proper setup and a nice press they slide right out. Sure, for the timid that loud initial BANG is a lil frightening, but once they break loose they slide right out.
The key is proper setup. Sometimes imagination helps. As a hobby machinist set ups are the key to many jobs.
I use a large, quality bearing separator to get in between the flange of the bushing and the control arm end. Apply just enough squeeze with the separator to get in between the flange and the CA end (make sure the tool is positioned correctly so the flat side is against the CA end).
Once I have just the slightest amount of grab on the flange, and it doesnt take much, doesnt even look like its in there really, it doesnt move the flange out at all. I move to the press and block the separator up with clearance under it and use a rod that will fit through the other CA end and a slug of metal in between that and the bushing. Press away.
Its a 20 min job for all four bushings. The key to doing a job correctly is having proper tools. The bearing separator is a forged tool, not a cheap cast HF tool. And the press is good for 50 tons. Never saw a bushing that liked the CAs that much that they wouldnt come out. JR
