Help changing to poly bushing in new leaf springs

[crcarch]

I'm upgrading my suspension with  Energy Suspension poly bushings throughout. I've found two issues with the new MP rear leaf springs that I need help with.
The rear "loop" for the shackle bolt appears to be too large for the bushing sent to fit it.  Have others experienced this?  What did you do?
I also am having a tough time removing the front bushings. The rear bushing simply slid in place from either side with a loose metal sleeve around the bolt. The front are monolythic and consist of two metal sleeves with rubber in-between.  I can't seem to get these out of the spring end loop.  I don't have a press, just a bench vise grip. I've tried beating them out, but the outer sleeve seams to be staying put.  Should I pry on the loop to open it up a little? Should I burn the rubber out?  I"m concerned that this could damage the "plastic" spacer on the end of the leaf and I'd still be left with the outer sleeve to remove?  Any help would be appreciated.

[FM3V6M]

Chryco quote: "the rubber bushing comes with inner & outer steel sleeves molded on to the bushing , the poly just replaces the inner rubber the steel sleeves from the original bushings are retained & reused , you do not need to press them out just clen the original rubber out , I use a propane torch to soften the rubber to get the bushing apart 

[Bullitt-]

Chryco quote: "the rubber bushing comes with inner & outer steel sleeves molded on to the bushing , the poly just replaces the inner rubber the steel sleeves from the original bushings are retained & reused , you do not need to press them out just clen the original rubber out , I use a propane torch to soften the rubber to get the bushing apart 

I thought this sas in reguard to lower control arm bushings?!?!?

Anyway I have had some luck pressing bushings out with a bench vice, just had to find a close fit socket(something cylindrical) to the OD of the bushing & have a larger one on the other side so it could slide out, some penetrating lube was a must too.

[422STROKER]

Some pipe and threaded rod with nuts will press it out.  Pipe same od as leaf eye and rod/washers nuts to squeeze out, like the lower control arm tool that PST and others sell.


Tom

Sorry if this confuses you more.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I know this one!!   

 The big front bushing can be removed if you drill some holes into it. A blow torch can help too. I'm not sure what to say about your new bushings in the back being smaller than the originals, but that wouldn't bother me since the poly bushings are as hard as a rock. I really don't see a problem there. Besides, most pressure is put on the big front bushing.

  Mike

[crcarch]

The big front bushing can be removed if you drill some holes into it. A blow torch can help too. I'm not sure what to say about your new bushings in the back being smaller than the originals, but that wouldn't bother me since the poly bushings are as hard as a rock. I really don't see a problem there. Besides, most pressure is put on the big front bushing.

  Mike

I did drill holes in the rubber, but they're brand new and pretty tough. Will heating the rubber with the torch mess up the plastic spacer at the end of the first leaf? The instructions do call for the outer sleeve to be removed and I don't have a press.  I guess I could try to push it out as far as my bench-vice will go and then hopefully I can pull it out with vice-grips. The problem with the rear loops being larger is that there's a good bit of play between the bushing and the outer loop.  I can't imagine having a 1/16"+ gap will help handling and I'm fearful that I'll get some rather harsh sounds coming from there, even if it doesn't.  I was wondering if anyone might have fab'd some type of  sleeve to make up the difference or if there were other bushings I should have.

[Bullitt-]

Measured my new shackle bushings at 1" OD from ES kit

[Chryco Psycho]

Chryco quote: "the rubber bushing comes with inner & outer steel sleeves molded on to the bushing , the poly just replaces the inner rubber the steel sleeves from the original bushings are retained & reused , you do not need to press them out just clen the original rubber out , I use a propane torch to soften the rubber to get the bushing apart 

 This is for LCA not leaf springs

Use a press to remove the bushing