Hey fellow DFH-ers, I figured I could post this so people have a resource for when they do a suspension upgrade...
--->I found out this works when I did my recent install on my EG. The Energy Suspension Polyurethane bushings in your LCA's and also in the shock hats are a great investment if you drive hard, and a great time to do the install is when you put in new shocks or new springs The shock hat (top cap) bushings are easy to swap. The LCA bushings were a biznatch to remove involving using a hydraulic press that most machine shops own... until I tried this method using simple hand tools. I gotta say the bushing install was very easy and relatively quick after I figured out that you do NOT need a hydraulic press if you are going to install aftermarket polyurethane bushings.. even to remove the old OEM bushings, you do NOT need a hydraulic press, just follow these steps-

EASY STEPS TO REMOVE AN OEM LCA BUSHING AND REPLACE WITH A POLYURETHANE BUSHING THAT DO NOT REQUIRE A HYDRAULIC PRESS-
1) remove LCA from car (if needed- cut or drill out the bolt ends, only drill as deep as needed to remove the LCA from the car)
2) place end of bushing "inner collar" in a vice (so the LCA is sitting on top of the vice with the half inch of collar that protrudes from the bushing IN the vice clamps)
3) rotate the LCA around this collar- that should separate the collar from the bushing by tearing the aged rubber.
(this works because the rubber piece has a low resistance to twisting -good for us now-, yet the rubber maintains a very high compression strength -good when in the car-)
4) lift off the LCA from the inner collar, use a unscrewing motion, use a screwdriver against the vice as leverage if needed.
5) using a hacksaw, run the blade through the new hole present in the rubber bushing in the LCA
6) cut through any remaining rubber and also through the bushings metal "outer collar" (this collar is not very thick so be careful to avoid cutting into the LCA)
6) when the outer collar is cut, that relieves its ability to maintain its hold inside the LCA, so now it can be pounded out with a blunt-driver or chisel and a hammer.
7) sand the hole in the LCA to remove any burrs, rust and rough edges
8) using the vice, squeeze in the new polyurethane bushings per instructions, be sure to lube 'em up as directed (any poly surface that contacts metal should be lubed)
9) repeat for each bushing to be replaced
10) go drive hard and enjoy life with polyurethane bushings in part of your suspension… life is good

Hope that helps at least one person here,

 

Great write up. I was just about to do my bushings this weekend. This should make it quite a bit easier. Why didn't I think of this?

 

Just burn em out. That's why god made cheap propane torches.

 

DAMN that smell though.... like burning<fire, not spinning> tires! YUCK!

 

well, it was easier to twist them in a vice, easier for me that is... no torch on hand.
plus as stated, the burning rubber stankyness is not one of my favorites unless it is from Mickey Thompsons or Advans.

 

YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!!!!

 

last tip....
use hammer- bang hard