M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

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on-to-berlin
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by on-to-berlin » June 10th, 2017, 6:38 am

Here is what I did.
I removed the old bushings by cutting off the rubber first and then drilling out the rubber between the inner and outer sleeve. You can pull out the inner sleeve together with the rod. The outer sleeve was removed by carefully cutting into it with the hand saw. Once it has the cuts you can carefully hammer it out.
Installing the new bushings wasn`t too bad. The first arm took some time to find out the best procedure.
I bought a cheap 20 ton press and several big sockest. The first bushing can be pressed in easiyl. Just take care when placing the bushing to it does not get placed in an angle.
Once it is places in the arm you can put in the rod and start pressing in the second bushing.
Here I was super careful. I was on my own and had to take time. Maybe if you have a helping hand then it is easier. The bushing eventually gets in easier if you place it in the freezer and if you can heat up the arm itself.
So once I placed the second bushing and started to press I realized that the arm started to bend because the bushing would not go in as I expected. What I did was then that I used a plastic mallet and carefully hammerd from the underside if the arm. So basically the press was pressing for above and I was hammering the arm towards the bushing from the underside. The bushing gradually slipped into the arm and the arm kept its shape and was not bend.
I did not take any pictures of that stage so I hope my explanation helps. If not let me know and I will try to explain better.
Don`t worry it is not as complicated as it may sound. You can do it but I recommend a 10 or 20 to press. YOu can use that thing also when installing wheel bearing. Makes life a lot easier!
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1939 Harley Davidson U
1944 Harley Davidson WLA
1944 Willys MB
1969 Ford Mutt A1
1973 AM General Mutt A2

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rickf
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by rickf » June 10th, 2017, 9:08 am

Pressing on it across the entire arm like that is how you bend the control arm. You have to support it behind the bushing you are pressing and then flip it over and do the other side. Shortcuts are easier but usually end up in damaging things.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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m75
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by m75 » June 10th, 2017, 12:16 pm

And Rick, that is exactly what happened in my case.
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SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

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m3a1
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by m3a1 » June 11th, 2017, 11:21 am

That looks like quite a shop, from what I can see. Yours?

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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by Husker » June 11th, 2017, 1:15 pm

I ordered one of the complete sets with bolts and bushings off eBay. I was able to easily remove the cores of my back bushings but broke my hacksaw so I'll have to get a new blade before I proced with that
I have a little shop press to push them in since I have an A1 the rear should be very easy to push in since the arms break down so nicely
Unfortunately I was a little over zealous and cleaned primed and painted some of my rear suspension already before I installed new bushings hopefully I don't mess them up to much installing them
US Army Fort Belvoir

19XX M35 something. Sold......
1972 M151A2
1967 M416
On the hunt for an M1031

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