Swingarm Bushing Replacement

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Pep
Posts: 312
Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:15 pm
Location: Dripping Springs, TX

Swingarm Bushing Replacement

Post by Pep »

Ok, these are stuck. 95 frame - anyone got tips/tricks/tools on getting these out?
-Laurie
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RichardMott
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Joined: Mon Jul 22, 2013 12:36 am
Location: King of Prussia, Pa

Re: Swingarm Bushing Replacement

Post by RichardMott »

Yeah, an old problem discussed here and on the owners group in the past. It seems to me the two consensus were penetrating oil and eventually a fire wrench, (torch). :roll: Heat is a great assembly and disassembly force of nature. :ugeek:
Using a steel or brass bar just under the full diameter of the bushing using a mallet should finish the job.
Good luck Laurie. :D
Rick Mott

In order to be old and wise, you must survive young and stupid!
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Bullfrog
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Location: Oregon, 12 miles from the center of the Hodaka Universe(Athena)

Re: Swingarm Bushing Replacement

Post by Bullfrog »

If you take the frame somewhere to have the bushings pressed out in a hydraulic press . . . BE SURE that the operation is done by supporting and pressing on ONLY one side of he frame at a time. If the frame is simply laid on its side and an attempt is made to press out the upper bushing, it is quite likely that the frame will be bent in the process.

Home removal often involves heat. Sometimes melting/burning out the rubber . . . then carefully cutting through the outer wall of the bushing with a hack saw.

Um, installing new bushings is the interesting part. I've used hardened bolts (2 or 3 times the length of the bushing plus HEAVY washer thicknesses) to manually press/draw the bushing the into place. Its wayeeeee fun!

Ed
Keep the rubber side down!
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Pep
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Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:15 pm
Location: Dripping Springs, TX

Re: Swingarm Bushing Replacement

Post by Pep »

Thanks Rick, I remember a good discussion on the old forum, couldn't yield much results with a search on this one.
Might try to build a puller (like a piston pin puller). The edges of the bushing are so doggone thin, hard not to mushroom them with a punch.
Have a great weekend!
Laurie
dirty_rat
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Location: Spring Hill, FL

Re: Swingarm Bushing Replacement

Post by dirty_rat »

I've had pretty good luck using a pneumatic hammer to punch them out. I started them by bending a edge over and then using the edge to push the bushing out. They came out pretty easy that way. For installing new, like Ed said, I used a large hardened bolt and heavy washers to pull it into place (kind of like a piston pin tool).
swcaudill
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Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2014 12:21 am
Location: Southern New Jersey

Re: Swingarm Bushing Replacement

Post by swcaudill »

After I struggled removing the swing arm bushings on my Dirt Squirt. Decided the next time to use the right size hole saw. Don't know if that size is available but that is what I would try.
Sterling
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Pep
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Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 12:15 pm
Location: Dripping Springs, TX

Re: Swingarm Bushing Replacement

Post by Pep »

Ed, missed your comment before posting mine :oops:
All, thanks for the great advice. Not my favorite task (though removing ancient tires is a close second).
Good tips, just what I was looking for.
-Laurie
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