OME rear shock bushings killing me! Ideas?

I’m so close to wrapping up my suspension install, after many curveballs I thought I was home free.. all I have to do is put the rear shocks on, OME nitrochargers 60065.

Problem is the damn bushings!!!

I don’t have a vice, I have tried lots of lube and hand pressing, lots of lube and putting the bushings on a screwdriver to stabilize and pressing, lots of lube and a C-clamp.. I for the life of me can’t get these things in and I’m losing my mind. I know it shouldn’t be this hard.

Everytime I try to exert force, be it by hand, foot, C-clamp, etc the bushings just shifts. Once it’s no longer approaching the eye straight on any more force shifts it back to square one. I can’t tell you how many times the c-clamp has launched my damn shims.

I’m so so so close, 4 bushings away from wrapping this up, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Get a vice?
Barring that- how about 2 pieces of wood, and two long bolts/nuts/washers, going through both pieces of wood, to make a press. You could add a 3rd bolt that goes through the bushings to keep them aligned and prevent them from squirming around as you tighten it all up.

 

Actually after looking at some stuff in my garage, get a bolt, nut, and a couple square washers (used for foundation hold down bolts, Home Depot has them), and tighten it all together on the shock.

 

Hmmm, maybe I’ll see if I have the hardware to make a press like that.

I unfortunately don’t have the space for a work bench or vice, oh how I wish I did..

 

I think I have enough to do your second post @MikeWH, going to try it now..

 

Invest in a vise?

Draw it in with a long bolt, nut, and a couple of fender washers. The bolt should be close to the inside diameter of the bushing, to keep the bushing square.

I've seen Sarah-n-Tuned install bushings with trigger clamps (usually used for woodworking), but I don't think that'll exert enough pressure for these.

 

When I was apartment living I built a vice on to a piece of square tubing that slid in to my hitch. Super solid and could take it anywhere with me for projects. I had to re-do it once though, as my first version was too close to the truck for comfort. 2nd version I made long, then you could fold the tale gate down and work on the vice at the same time, so you get a free workbench out of it. There is always room somewhere!

 

You could likely use a puller (Autozone/O'reilleys) and a washer the same diameter as the bushing. When you tighten the puller down, it should push the pushing out the back side.

I am going back to the garage after supper, I'd mock one up and take a picture.

Edit: I just used a puller to get one of my shocks off about a week ago. A washer placed in there if the shock was off the vehicle, I think it would push the bushing out the back side.

 

Hitch vice is a great idea, I’ve had a couple theories on how I could manage a decent vice where I’m at, but that might work best.

I was able to get them on with a long bolt/nut and washers!!! I’ve used that set up before on other tasks, but in my frustration couldn’t think of it, thanks @MikeWH.

And thank you for pitching in @3JOH22A and @Wsidr1, y’all rock!

 

Glad you got it man!! Nice job, glad I could help, love it when it’s an easy one!

 

You have a link to that puller? It looks better than the usual 3-jaw that is always falling off stuff.

 

Long bolt, socket or washers, and nut.

Turn it and drive it home.

This is way too easy to figure out.

 

Another thing is putting them in the freezer before install. Rub water and dish soap to ease the bushing going on after they're nice and cold.

 

I bought this set off Amazon last year.

FYI, I checked and they have some in "Amazon Warehouse" for $45.00. That about $10 off. I got mine the same way and could not tell anything unusual. Seemed like they were never opened before I got them.

$50 Orion Motor Tech 5pc Ball Joint Separator, Pitman Arm Puller, Tie Rod End Tool Set for Front End Service, Splitter Removal Kit (BL06)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F34PJFX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Sarah-n-Tuned....she’s easy on the eyes. Love the ‘91 or ‘92 MR2 she has.

 

Yep most T-girls are easy on the eyes...

 

Or you could break down and take them to a shop and pay $35 to have them pressed in...

 

I just installed new OME 60062 shocks on my taco.

I used a 12" long 1/2" extension and set of large channel-locks to push in the bushings. Obviously a generous amount of grease was applied as well.

The extension went through the center of the bushing and stopped at the flared bottom, then through the hoop at the end of the shock. Then I could use the leverage afforded by the end of the extension to manipulate the bushing while also pressing it in with the channel-locks. Used a rag to cover the shock bushing hoop and protect it from being marred by the pliers' jaws.

Seemed to work pretty well for just the four I had to do.