So I ordered front and rear diff bushings from Z1 and we took the rear diff out to install the bushings only to realize we need a special tool to get the bushing out of the rear subframe. Does anyone have this tool that I could pay to ship to me and then ship back to you? Or is there some other way to get this bushing out? I really wish Z1 would have told me I needed a special tool for this part.

 

You cut it out with a sawzall

 

How do you then press out the outer steel sleeve?

 

You cut through it. If you cut a slit in the sleeve you can knock it out with a punch. If you cut into the subframe at all you can just smooth it with a file don't be too critical

 

Cool. Thanks for the tip. I will see if I can track down the tool as I imagine that will be a cleaner and quicker process.

 

If you don't mind the mess and the danger and the LOL trailer-park approach... some people take a torch to bushings they can't get out of the sleeve for lack of proper tools.

Looking forward to reading the results in your progress thread. Mine will be going in next month.

 

The torch will remove the bushing however the main issue, the sleeve, will still be there. I have seen many write ups cutting the sleeve out so I wouldn't be too worried with that approach

 

..... a lot of the chain store auto parts places will loan out specialty tools ...... just saying...

 

Those tools don't work. Also fyi you will need to press in the new bushing. Go to home depot and get a long bolt, 2 large washers and a nut...Make your own press basically. Nothing else fits up there without buying the press tool which I think z1 sells

 

No chain stores have tools for this that I am aware of at this point.

Z1 says their tool will not work with my steel subframe, but they assure me that a little grease and a punch/mallet should do the trick. We will see about that...

 

No I meant for pressing the new bushing in. Taking the old one out is the hacksaw method lol

 

I think my bushing is leaking, but it looks like clear fluid. Is that possible?
I've checked the rear diff, and the fluid level has not changed.

 

So did I. Hopefully, it goes smoothly.

 

Even WITH the Z1 tool, I'm pulling my hair out. I've given up trying to get out that metal sleeve. I don't have enough room to put a long breaker bar extension on the Z1 puller tool to get it to turn. There's also like no room to fit a sawzall blade in there. I don't know how anyone does it. Maybe it's easier on the RWD models vs AWD like mine? I have cut my exhaust off and taken the sway bar off etc. Still can't angle the sawzall blade so that it cuts a neat straight line in the metal sleeve ring. And even if I could, I can't really access the right angle to use a hammer and chisel to try punching out the sleeve? UGH.

 

Time to remove the rear-diff from the car. That will give you the access needed.