Topic: Removing swingarm bushings?

[stereosilence]

I removed the bolt from my swingarm and I think I have the dust cap and possibly pivot off.

How to I get the bushing out?

[MCRider]

Many folks use a hacksaw blade or a triangular file to cut through the bushings then carefully chisel them out.

Yes its not uncommon to have to go "medieval" on them.  Carefully.   

[Kwality]

Yep +1 on the hacksaw blade.  That's what I did, anyway.  Two cuts on each bushing, then tap out from the other side.

[Bailgang]

The hack saw blade and chisel technique does work but as MCRider said, the key word is "carefully".

Or you can rent a blind hole bearing puller from a local auto parts store and have both of them out in 2 or 3 minutes. Not all auto parts stores have them in stock though.

[MCRider]

Carefully = don't scar or dig into the area where teh new bearing will be going. If you do you can always dress it down, but best to avoid.

[timbalish]

For mine, I used a metal rod that I originally got for adjusting my garage door coil springs (18" x 1/2" metal rod )and used a hammer and whacked them out, tapping all around the bushing.  The rod was small enough to be able to angle to hit the back of the of the inside of the bushing. The second was easier because you could hit it straight on after the first bushing was out.

[stereosilence]

Ok. Thanks guys. I would *like* to not have to destroy them. Apparently replacements are stupid expensive ($50?).

[MCRider]

Ok. Thanks guys. I would *like* to not have to destroy them. Apparently replacements are stupid expensive ($50?).

You can't really remove them without destroying them.

Yup, gotta destroy them.

The expense is directly related to the importance of their purpose.

[Stev-o]

If they're 35+ years old, it's time to replace anyway.

[stereosilence]

Is there a preferred place to get them from? Someone around here that machines them possibly?

[iron_worker]

Check out the tool I created to do the job. (ignore the long bolts ... they were used to press the lower shock bushings out... also handy.) They are the three washers you see on the bottom right. I cut flats down on each side so they can slide through the bushings and then be turned 90degrees once inside. The round edges will then seat on the back of the bushing. This allows you to then come in with a socket and extension or a large rod/drift and get a better purchase on the back side of it.



I tried the hacksaw method but mine were so frozen in that that didn't even work. I just used a hacksaw, a file, and a couple hours of patience to make these bearings "drivers". I made 3 so I could stack them up and get a bit more rigidity. I didn't want them folding up and going through the bushing.

Anyway, hopefully that makes sense.

IW

[CycleRanger]

Is there a preferred place to get them from? Someone around here that machines them possibly?

I've purchased two sets from this guy:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB-500-550-750-900-Four-Schwingenlager-Bronzebuchsen-Swingarm-Bushings-/130617758357?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item1e696cd295

[70CB750]

Naturlich Schwingenlager Bronzebuchsen  - lieber Freunde 

How do you like them?

[wrenchmuch]

Hondas replacement parts seem to be steel these days. Don't bother with them. Steel on steel doesn't last too long.
Bronze or Oilite is the best type of replacement. Have a good look at the collar. It's the hollow tube that goes inside the bushings. If it shows wear it should be replaced as well. A rough collar will tear up the new bushings. Hondaman has a service to replace bushings with Oilite bronze and size everything for good tolerance. Worth the money if you can afford it.

[70CB750]

Is there a preferred place to get them from? Someone around here that machines them possibly?

Hondaman - local guru - replaces bushings as a service, but you have to ship it to Denver:

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

[CycleRanger]

Naturlich Schwingenlager Bronzebuchsen  - lieber Freunde 

How do you like them?

They went in fine. And when used in a 750 you don't need the plastic "top hat" pieces or the felt rings, just the caps.

[MCRider]

Naturlich Schwingenlager Bronzebuchsen  - lieber Freunde 

How do you like them?

They went in fine. And when used in a 750 you don't need the plastic "top hat" pieces or the felt rings, just the caps.

Top Hat refers to the shape of the bushing. Either a barrel or a top hat. The ones in question are "top hats".

The plastic end pieces are "thrust bushings". They can be deleted when converting from barrels to top hats.  That's the way I've come to know them anyway.

Granted, the thrust bushing is replaced by the top hat portion of the replacement bushing.

[srbakker]

If it helps, I have a new set of bronze bushings you can have on the cheap ( much cheaper than $50, anyway).  Lemme know.

[alacrity]

Here's a link -- I wrote up what I did because I hated the idea of going at them with a hacksaw. Hope this helps:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=104216.msg1165478#msg1165478

[stereosilence]

Good write up. Did you swap the bushings before or after you powdercoated?

[iron_worker]

Here's a link -- I wrote up what I did because I hated the idea of going at them with a hacksaw. Hope this helps:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=104216.msg1165478#msg1165478

I definitely stole your idea. Just for the record. lol

It works great btw. Thanks!

IW

[Bankerdanny]

If you are

Ok. Thanks guys. I would *like* to not have to destroy them. Apparently replacements are stupid expensive ($50?).

If you are removing them they must need replacing, because if they do not need replacing then there is no reason to remove them.

[stereosilence]

I was thinking there would be a lip that you bang on to get them out. Looking into the cylinder, I don't see any lips. It just looks like a long cylinder in there. Is that correct?

[slyguy]

I was thinking there would be a lip that you bang on to get them out. Looking into the cylinder, I don't see any lips. It just looks like a long cylinder in there. Is that correct?

That's what I thought too after removing the long collar tube thingy..lol It's actually just grease packed around the interior bore. get a screwdrive to scoop/dig it out, you'll see..

[stereosilence]

What is the long collar tube thing? I have only take out a big bolt with the grease zerks on it.