Bilstein Lower Bush replacement

[Smiffy69]

I am just about to replace the lower bush on the front suspension damper.  

Initially i thought this would be an easy job utilising the 2 sockets and a vice to drift out the old one.  This was harder than I expected due to the bush not being a true cylinder but a having a narrower middle than the ends.   

I am assuming the fitting of the new one is just a reverse of above?  

However, before I apply brute force to this is there a better / easier . special tool for doing this.  

As always any top tips would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Smiffy 

[Jonathan Kay]

From the archives.

But there also seems to be a general feeling that a rebuild by Bilstein is good value.

Jonathan

PS: I'd change the title on the duplicate post in order to concentrate the discussion here.

[Smiffy69]

Thanks JK as I suspected a bit of lube and a brute force seems to be the answer.  

Post title changed as suggested.

 

[Wrightpayne]

I have one of these....

Also good for cracking walnuts

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-ap500b-1-2-ton-arbor-press/?da=1&TC=GS-020415172&gclid=CjwKCAiA6qPRBRAkEiwAGw4Sdpg6yAbgIxQVVJNKpffpwY8AcPWooHGLv_gLtRAhHBWrnrfvAmzOrBoC7GIQAvD_BwE

[Smiffy69]

That looks useful.  I'll try with the vice first and if that doesn't work I'll be off to machinemart.  

[elie boone]

If you use a vice you can push the rubber bush about 75% home, leave it in the vice and use a tyre iron protected with a cloth or a piece of hardwood to work the body so that the rubber bush will be fully seated

[Smiffy69]

Update ..... Bloody impossible to drive in square without damaging the bush so have conceded defeat and sent it to Bilstein. 

Anyone planning to do this I would take JKs advice and send it off straight away to Bilstein.

Cheers