I finally got around to removing the bushings on my front lower arm. After about 1.5 hours and some smushed fingers, I got both of the bushings off that slide on and can't be pressed out. Anywho, I managed to slightly damage the shaft (likely from my chisel.....) during taking them off.

Is this damage alright?
Should I grind it down and make it smooth/not a V-shape?

 

i would use some emerypaper and smooth out the burrs and what not but i wouldnt go too deep i used a cut-off wheel to get mine off work great.

 

Thanks.

I also used a cutoff wheel. Cut through what I could and then chiseled the rest. Fun time...

 

+2 Cutoff wheel
There is a metal sleeve embedded in the bushing, its not solid rubber like you were probably thinking.

 

I thought they were completely rubber at first, yes. However, considering I have them off, I figured out that they're not.

Anyways.... any answer to the questions?

 

lol captain obvious. If it were me, i would just sand down the surface, leave the divot, and make it work. I don't know what kind of effects it would have but i can't see it being catastrophic.

 

Sounds like a plan. Unlike the last person, I appreciate the reply.

 

sure! i was thinking, and i guess if you are real paranoid like me sometimes, you could just use some jb stick then sand it all smooth, dunno if thats a good idea or not, but an idea none the less.

 

I'll probably just sand it down and go with it unless someone says otherwise. It's such a small little issue but I figured I'd check with the "experts."

 

heh...ok so then listening to me is probably a bad idea

 

It's hard to know who to listen to. That's why I usually want about 12 of the same response before I go with it. No offense intended.

 

a sawzaw would b nice. I was holding my breath using a cutoff wheel

 

I managed to do something similar (judgind by the pic) on one of them, while using the sawzall. So far, I haven't had any issues.

 

Excellent answer and good to hear.

Yeah, the cut off wheel was... smoky at best. And yes, a sawzall would be wonderful, but I'm cheap.

 

My lungs were coated with molten rubber dust. After 2-3 hits, your good

 

why did you replace the bushing? what were the symptoms letting you know this bushing has failed?

 

I replaced them because I felt like they needed it. I couldn't tell anything outright, but I have nothing to compare it to. However, any rubber that's sitting under a car for 22 year can't be in great shape. After taking some of the bushings out, I'm glad I have. A few are pretty rotten.