Freeze polyurethane bushings before installing them. This shrinks them and makes them a lot easier to install. They have a lot less give than rubber bushings and can fit quite tight.
Also, When removing stock rubber bushings to replace them with urethane, sometimes you have to reuse the metal shell. Guys like us have been known to try and remove the rubber bushings with everything like steak knives, drills, screwdrivers, picks and half the stuff in the kitchen or garage. Forget all that. Use a small plumber’s torch to heat the outside of the shell evenly. You'll know when you're done by two signs: the rubber will begin to crackle and shoot out from between the bushing and shell in thin little streamers. Take a hammer, hold the bushing over an empty garbage can and whack the bushing hard until it pops out. This is pretty stinky, so you'll want to do this outdoors, or at least open the shop doors wide. The bushing will bounce all over the place and the melted rubber will get into everything it touches including your clothes, interior, everything - this is why I say to do it directly over a garbage can. You know if you have your carpet laid out on the shop floor, it's gonna head there first! If it does get anywhere you don't want, varsol will dissolve the rubber. Also works good to clean up the metal shell before reuse.
Another tip. Try using White Lithium Grease, or just regular grease to help ease them in, both getting the bushing in, and to prevent it from squeaking. You'll want to stay away from WD-40 and PB Blaster as much as possible though, because they both tend to be a bit corrosive.
Also, When removing stock rubber bushings to replace them with urethane, sometimes you have to reuse the metal shell. Guys like us have been known to try and remove the rubber bushings with everything like steak knives, drills, screwdrivers, picks and half the stuff in the kitchen or garage. Forget all that. Use a small plumber’s torch to heat the outside of the shell evenly. You'll know when you're done by two signs: the rubber will begin to crackle and shoot out from between the bushing and shell in thin little streamers. Take a hammer, hold the bushing over an empty garbage can and whack the bushing hard until it pops out. This is pretty stinky, so you'll want to do this outdoors, or at least open the shop doors wide. The bushing will bounce all over the place and the melted rubber will get into everything it touches including your clothes, interior, everything - this is why I say to do it directly over a garbage can. You know if you have your carpet laid out on the shop floor, it's gonna head there first! If it does get anywhere you don't want, varsol will dissolve the rubber. Also works good to clean up the metal shell before reuse.
Another tip. Try using White Lithium Grease, or just regular grease to help ease them in, both getting the bushing in, and to prevent it from squeaking. You'll want to stay away from WD-40 and PB Blaster as much as possible though, because they both tend to be a bit corrosive.
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