Where to get bushings pressed local?

[doug8762]

Anyone have a shop that will press caster bushings DC area? I called Iron pig but they want 175 an hour to do it.

thanks

 

[Stumpalama]

Anyone have a shop that will press caster bushings DC area? I called Iron pig but they want 175 an hour to do it.

thanks

$175/hr?!?!?! Seriously? That is ridiculous. At that price, you could BUY a 20ton shop press from HF and do it yourself. It really is not that difficult. One side at a time. Cut the old ones out (much easier and quicker that way) and press in the new ones. You can even get Landtank's template and it is a no brainer.

 

[TRFCSUX]

Is this something Ryan does ?

 

[John Smith]

You're welcome to come use my 12 ton press for free but I'm up in Silver Spring. If you like collecting tools, a press is very handy, and you have the perfect excuse to get one now. Like Stump said, HF has them almost always on sale too.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

or even convenience care in manassas.

I've been thinking about getting a harbor freight press too. maybe even today.

 

[Stumpalama]

About the cost of 1hr of labor: http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/shop-presses/20-ton-shop-press-32879.html

Are you a club member? I don't see you on our roster. It looks like you are embracing the DIY approach to your Cruiser and with that in mind, we are a great resource for advice/opinions (lots of 'em), fabrication ideas, tech help, tools and general Land Cruiser knowledge. I encourage you to check us out at a meeting or stop by our BBQ this Saturday.

Cheers,
Stump

 

[Devilmans Hand]

So I did some research and most people say to get the 20 ton over the 12 ton. I was in the store earlier and the 12 ton looked really easy to build with a couple I-beams, bolts, and a jack.
The 20 ton is welded up and more beefy.

John smith, have you found your 12 ton to be underpowered at all for automotive applications?

Maybe I'll build a shorter 40 ton press/ brake.

 

[iptman]

I think the 12 ton might be a little small for the caster bushings. When mine were being pressed out using a 20 ton it strained a lot before popping out. Sounded like a .45 when it finally popped. I guess it depends on the shape of your control arms though. Do you have a press tool for the bushing?

 

[IPOR]

Anyone have a shop that will press caster bushings DC area? I called Iron pig but they want 175 an hour to do it.

thanks

Say What?

We don't charge $175/hr!

The process of pressing caster bushings can take two hours to do, which at our shop rate of $95/hr is $190, but that includes removal of the control arm and re-installation, which is typically done during a suspension install. You must have been quoted a drive-in/drive out price with a CLCC discount.

The actual bushing replacement itself usually only takes an hour, and we offer an exchange program so you can pick up control arms here, install your suspension yourself, then bring us back the core arms - it doesn't get any easier...

We're Land Cruiser enthusiasts just like you, and we know how important it is to get the most bang for your buck.

If you want to do it yourself I wouldn't recommend using any press smaller than a 20 ton. Even a 20 ton can get maxed out if the bushings are corroded. (they have a steel sleeve surrounding the rubber that can become fused to the arm)

Your call - we're here 8-5 M-F on the tech line if you need... 540-361-7400.

 

[Devilmans Hand]

Well there you go Doug. Join the clcc and get a discount!

Come out to the BBQ on sat and introduce yourself.

 

[John Smith]

So I did some research and most people say to get the 20 ton over the 12 ton. I was in the store earlier and the 12 ton looked really easy to build with a couple I-beams, bolts, and a jack.
The 20 ton is welded up and more beefy.

John smith, have you found your 12 ton to be underpowered at all for automotive applications?

Maybe I'll build a shorter 40 ton press/ brake.

Hey Sam, My 12 ton has pressed everything I have needed to press. Transfer cases, transmissions, mostly bearings. With that said I wish I would have bought the 20 ton. The 12 was on sale at the time I needed it and they didn't even have any 20s in stock. Like you observed the 20 ton unit is better built. You can make the 12 ton better by using short bolts and not the long through bolts like HF supplies. This makes the press much more rigid.

 

[Stumpalama]

Thanks for setting us straight Lance. Also good info about your services offered. I like the drive in, drive out idea. Innovative.
As far as the 12 ton, I can speak from experience that the 12 ton is undersized for this job. The big knot on my buddies head from the frame failing and the handle smacking down on his forehead are proof. The 20 ton is a good size for a home auto shop. I wound up drilling out the rubber, scoring the steel ring and removing them with a cold chisel. Pretty straight forward. Given Lance's input, unless you see yourself using the press more than a few times I would opt to have IPOR do it. That way you don't have to worry about getting the bushhings aligned correctly without a template.

 

[doug8762]

Sorry for not responding sooner I wasn't receiving the alerts that I was getting any responses. Thanks for the advice. I would like to clear up a mistake I made I misread the email from IPOR I read the email as it would take them an hour and a half to do the bushings off the truck. When it it was stated that it would take "1 1/2hour to do the work at $95" like it was stated in previous posts. 175 was my poor math skills rounding up to two hours. I apologize for the bad info.

I have not joined the CCLC as of yet but it is something I am interested in and will try to do in the near future.

I unfortunately live in a townhouse and space is at a premium so trying to avoid adding a press to the already large tool collection. So I may take someone up on their offer to use their press. I will be up in Michigan the next two weeks so I will be looking more intensely for a solution when I return.

 

[Jakes40]

Space is at a premium you can buy the press then donate it to the club and it can be stored at another members house.

Problem solved!

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