Author Topic: SWINGARM BUSHING REMOVAL - HELP NEEDED (Read 10775 times)

sniper1 · « **on:** February 23, 2012, 05:23:31 PM »

I am having some serious troubles removing the bushings from my swingarm. I have tried using the attached tool with no luck.

I have tried penetrating fluid with no luck.

I have heated with a propane torch and no luck.

I have read the threads about using a hacksaw blade to cut them out. How can you cut the inside without damaging the internal parts of the swingarm???

Any recommendations or tips are extremely welcome. Pics would be nice also.

Thanks.

Magpie · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2012, 05:32:13 PM »

Take the blade out of the saw, put the blade through the swingarm and then re-attach it to the saw handle. Saw carefully keeping it parallel to the inside. Cliff.

sniper1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2012, 06:33:48 PM »

It looks like the bushing sits almost flush to inner center diameter of the swingarm.

nomad · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2012, 06:54:45 PM »

Use a steel rod and hammer to hit it from the inside. Put the steel rod (or equivalent piece of metal) into the swingarm and use it as a punch... catching the inner lip of the opposite side bushing.

Magpie · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2012, 07:06:20 PM »

Sorry if that didn't help, it worked on my K1 and K0 original bushings which I think are more of a compressed material than metal. Cliff.
Found this on a quick search http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=86931.msg977820#msg977820

Rookster · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2012, 07:34:54 PM »

You need to cut them out. If you nick the bushing surface that is ok. The new bushings have to be pressed in and will need to be honed back to size. A few nicks won't bother the new bushings or make them loose. Just make sure you file any raised areas left behind by the hacksaw blade.

Scott

SohRon · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2012, 08:15:28 PM »

Quote from: nomad on February 23, 2012, 06:54:45 PM

Use a steel rod and hammer to hit it from the inside. Put the steel rod (or equivalent piece of metal) into the swingarm and use it as a punch... catching the inner lip of the opposite side bushing.

+1 It's a simple job just to knock them out as described above. Just use a long rod or pipe and tap in circles and the old bushings come right out.

lofton05 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2012, 08:21:48 PM »

+1 on using a small rod and knocking them out.

Eydugstr · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2012, 09:18:19 PM »

Quote from: Rookster on February 23, 2012, 07:34:54 PM

You need to cut them out. If you nick the bushing surface that is ok. The new bushings have to be pressed in and will need to be honed back to size. A few nicks won't bother the new bushings or make them loose. Just make sure you file any raised areas left behind by the hacksaw blade.

+1. The last set I did were absolute boogers, tried to drive them out as others described and they only came out about an eighth of an inch!! Torch didn't help either.

Save yourself some time, use the hacksaw blade approach. Make two cuts in the bushing, about 1/4" apart. Then take a screwdriver or punch and get that part of the bushing to break away. Once the 1/4" strip is out, the rest of the bushing can be compressed and then driven out easily.

dave500 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2012, 09:45:22 PM »

hacksaw with finnesse.

754 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2012, 10:15:46 PM »

HEYYyyy..try this.. get a large tap that fits, tap the bushing, insert bolt drive them out...

Harsh · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2012, 08:03:16 AM »

Sniper...If/when you get around to trying again give me a holler. I would love to swing by and help/learn a bit from this as I am sure I will be replacing my bushings here in the near future.

markb · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2012, 08:25:21 AM »

Quote from: lofton05 on February 23, 2012, 08:21:48 PM

+1 on using a small rod and knocking them out.

I would say use a big rod, as big as you can get through the opposite bushing. That way you have plenty of "bite" on the bushing you're trying to remove. And a big hammer too. I've never sawed one yet.

754 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 24, 2012, 09:23:03 AM »

The tool shown in pic is for TURNING a part, not pulling.
Mark is correct with big rod, but it cant be too big as it has to tilt a degree or two to contact end of bushing. I think I would grind almost thru with a dremel in 2 spots..before I would take a saw to a swingarm...

Kevin D · « **Reply #14 on:** February 24, 2012, 01:18:07 PM »

Sniper, if/when you decide you have had enough, there is also the HondaMan option:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=58828.0

sniper1 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2012, 06:59:04 AM »

Attached is a picture of the interior of swingarm. I am assuming that the inner ring is the bushing, correct? Is there a center bushing in there as well??? because it looks to be the same diameter all the way through? Or is the center portion just a part of the swingarm? I am just concerned about taking a hacksaw to it that it will mess up the interior of the swingarm.

754 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2012, 08:11:45 AM »

Is that hole way bigger than the swingarm bolt?, if it is it looks like the bushing without the flange.

sniper1 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2012, 09:57:50 AM »

I have removed and accounted for everything except parts number 11 in the attached link.

http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/SWINGARM_@_REAR_SHOCK_ABSORBER/MakeID/1/Make/Honda/YearID/16/Year/1975/ModelID/9131/Model/CB550K1/GroupID/439290/Group/SWINGARM_@_REAR_SHOCK_ABSORBER

I believe that is the bushings that are still inside the tube. They seem to have become a permamant part of the tube. I have tried heating with a torch to loosen, PB Blaster, internal pipe removal tool, beat with a rod, even cussing, swearing and prayers have not gotten them to budge a bit. I have not tried the hacksaw method yet.

When I look through the tube the bushing appears to be about 2 1/2" long and made of metal, then there is aboat an 1/8" gap, then a center protion that looks bout 5" long that appears to be about the same diameter of the internal diameter of the bushings, then another 1/8" gap, then the other bushing. I am afraid that if I try hacksawing on them that I may damage the internal center portion of the swingarm tube while trying to cut the bushings.

Am I seeing this right? What am I missing? Or should I just saw away and not worry about it?

nomad · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2012, 10:23:35 AM »

Quote from: sniper1 on February 25, 2012, 09:57:50 AM

I have removed and accounted for everything except parts number 11 in the attached link.

http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/SWINGARM_@_REAR_SHOCK_ABSORBER/MakeID/1/Make/Honda/YearID/16/Year/1975/ModelID/9131/Model/CB550K1/GroupID/439290/Group/SWINGARM_@_REAR_SHOCK_ABSORBER

I believe that is the bushings that are still inside the tube. They seem to have become a permamant part of the tube. I have tried heating with a torch to loosen, PB Blaster, internal pipe removal tool, beat with a rod, even cussing, swearing and prayers have not gotten them to budge a bit. I have not tried the hacksaw method yet.

When I look through the tube the bushing appears to be about 2 1/2" long and made of metal, then there is aboat an 1/8" gap, then a center protion that looks bout 5" long that appears to be about the same diameter of the internal diameter of the bushings, then another 1/8" gap, then the other bushing. I am afraid that if I try hacksawing on them that I may damage the internal center portion of the swingarm tube while trying to cut the bushings.

Am I seeing this right? What am I missing? Or should I just saw away and not worry about it?

You're seeing it right. Keep beating on it with the steel rod. Those bushings are toast anyway... don't hold back. Do you have a vice you can clamp the arm in?

You can do it

Eydugstr · « **Reply #19 on:** February 25, 2012, 12:33:16 PM »

Quote from: sniper1 on February 25, 2012, 09:57:50 AM

I have removed and accounted for everything except parts number 11 in the attached link.

http://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/SWINGARM_@_REAR_SHOCK_ABSORBER/MakeID/1/Make/Honda/YearID/16/Year/1975/ModelID/9131/Model/CB550K1/GroupID/439290/Group/SWINGARM_@_REAR_SHOCK_ABSORBER

I believe that is the bushings that are still inside the tube. They seem to have become a permamant part of the tube. I have tried heating with a torch to loosen, PB Blaster, internal pipe removal tool, beat with a rod, even cussing, swearing and prayers have not gotten them to budge a bit. I have not tried the hacksaw method yet.

When I look through the tube the bushing appears to be about 2 1/2" long and made of metal, then there is aboat an 1/8" gap, then a center protion that looks bout 5" long that appears to be about the same diameter of the internal diameter of the bushings, then another 1/8" gap, then the other bushing. I am afraid that if I try hacksawing on them that I may damage the internal center portion of the swingarm tube while trying to cut the bushings.

Am I seeing this right? What am I missing? Or should I just saw away and not worry about it?

At this point I'd recommend the hacksaw. If you can, prop it up in a vise, so that as you cut, you can sight it with a flashlight to double check how deep you're cutting into the bushing. Cut to just before you get to through the bushing, then make a second cut about 1/4-3/8" inch apart from the first, same way. Then tap on the section of metal inbetween the cuts with a screwdriver and get that part to break free. If you do burr the metal of the swing arm tube itself, don't panic, just dress it with the edge of a file.

Once you've gotten the old bushings out, now comes the matter of getting the new ones in...What worked well for me was putting the new bushings in the freezer, overnight. Then, heat up the outside of the swingarm tube with a torch, or set the whole swingarm in an oven at a low setting (170-200 degrees we'll say) for about 30 minutes. Frozen bushings + heated up swingarm tube=easier install.

Hope this helps!

TS250 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 25, 2012, 12:38:45 PM »

I've never been able to punch them out. Tried that, and heat, and penetrating oil. Nothing... but a hacksaw worked. And it worked perfectly. Don't be afraid.

sniper1 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2012, 01:09:31 PM »

OK, I'll be hacksawing tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for all the help!

Harsh · « **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2012, 07:27:15 AM »

Did you get it out?

lucky · « **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2012, 08:21:54 AM »

If you pounded the steel tool against the soft bronze bushing it will mushroom out getting tighter and tighter inside the swing arm.
What is worse is hitting it from both sides because then it will mushroom out on BOTH sides and will be even tighter.

The best way to get a bushing out is to use a steel tube and PUSH it out with a press.

Also if you install the new bushing by freezing the bushing and warming up the swing arm REMEMBER that this method
can also help you get the bushing OUT. Warm up the outside of the steel swing arm tube then push on the bushing.

754 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 28, 2012, 08:39:48 AM »

Explain how you are going to push that bushing out ? are you talking removing flange or building a fixture.

One other thing that may work.. make a split disc that drops in, then orient them to sit flat, now you can push straight on with your drift..

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Author Topic: SWINGARM BUSHING REMOVAL - HELP NEEDED (Read 10775 times)

nomad

nomad