348 348 Suspension Bushing Replacement

Finally had a chance to go after my suspension bushings. The ones on the car did not appear bad at all, but since I was pulling the dampers for a rebuild and doing brakes, ball joints, steering rack, etc.....might as well hit all of it.

Parts - https://www.maseratinet.com has the best prices I found. Service was excellent and shipping prompt.

1. Saw off the inside of the bushing at the rubber to remove the flange. I used a dremel saw, just cut half then used a chisel; a couple of hits on it with a hammer split it off.

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2. Take a 3/4” hole saw and drill through the rubber around the inner steel tube. This will push out the outside flange of the bushing leaving the outer metal housing to remove.



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3. The bushing outer metal housing comes out easy if you cut it with a hack saw; watch closely so you do not cut deep into the arm. My grandpa is probably turning in his grave with me using a Harbor Freight-Chinese blade on his Made in the USA Proto tools hack saw, but it's what I had on hand.



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4. Use a the same chisel and give it a couple of whacks on the edge right where you cut; this will start pushing the outer metal housing out. When you get some travel, put the chisel on the other end and push it out.


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5. Clean out the arm housing with some sand paper and get it smooth inside.

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6. I used two McMaster-Carr hardened steel washers no. 9650 5A13 32mm ID 50mm OD stacked on one end to give the new bushing space to push all the way in. I used my Harbor Freight bearing press and a couple of bearing driver pieces to make up space and drive it home. On the other end of the bearing press I started with a ratchet, then put an impact wrench and gave it 7-10 2-3 sec. hits to put it all the way in.


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View attachment 557216

 

Total time is about 5 min. for removal and 5 min. for install - each bearing.

Although not too difficult to drive in, going to try freezing the next bearing before pressing to see if it makes it even easier. Also going to try the dish soap lube trick and see if it aids.

 

When editing the picture I put the arrow on the wrong end to cut (first post) and it wont let me edit... here is a revised in case it didnt make sense.

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Alre

Already done. Luckily ADCO is here locally in Houston and has been doing Ferrari racks for many years. $450.