How to Press Out the Bushings on Shocks

The Brush Two-Seat Runabout, produced in 1906, was the first recorded car in history to be made available with shock absorbers. The shock absorbers were added to the car by Alanson Brush, after his brother William rolled Alanson's car over due to a rut on a bend in the road. The device was primitive, with two shock absorbing devices placed on a hickory axle. Today's shock absorbers are much more advanced, and some cars even offer computerized connections to the suspension of the car to help predict dangerous conditions and adjust the suspension accordingly.

• 1

  Spray the entire end of the shock absorber with PB Blaster or penetrating spray. Let stand for at least 5 minutes to allow the PB Blaster to absorb into the bushing.

• 2

  Shimmy a flat head screwdriver between the bushing and the bushing housing on the shock, and pry the bushing away from the shock. Turn the shock around 180 degrees, and perform this task on the opposite side. The purpose of prying with the screwdriver is to try and free the bushing from the inner walls of the bushing housing on the shock.

• 3

  Place the shock assembly into a table vise, with the bushing facing vertically. Stick the screwdriver into the front face of the bushing and gently tap it with a hammer to push it through the other side of the shock. Have an assistant hold the shock down on a table if you don't have a table vise. Hammer the screwdriver into the face of the bushing until it becomes completely free on the opposite side of the shock absorber.