willysmjeeps.com

So I purchased new springs for my M38 as part of a suspension rebuild kit. They were manufactured by a company called Crown. The problem is they have the wrong bushings in one end. The end for the pivot bolt has the correct bushing in it for M38 with the 7/16th bolt. The other end where the shackle goes in also has a bushing in it but it is the other style without the rubber for the larger bolt. Why they set up both ends for the pivot bolt I don't know. When I called they said I had to press the bushings at that end out to get the shackle in. I don't have a press. Is there another way to get these out besides a press? My guess is that I could hammer them out using something that is the proper diameter. I wanted to get some ideas before i do anything I'll regret. Thanks.

If you have a bench vice, you can get creative with sockets and press them out.

Get a nice big drill bit and drill them out. The center hole will keep you centered. Use a bit just large enough to leave just a little bit of the bushings. Then you can just pry the rest out. That's how I did mine and they came out real easy. The right drill bit will cut through the bushings like butter. If you experience trouble getting the rest out, use a hack saw blade and cut it in two halves. Try not to cut into the leaf spring itself, just the bushing. I tried pressing mine out using my vise and sockets and I broke my cheepo vice.

Dave

I pressed them out with my 12 ton press, and used them to fix the worn out ones on another M38 with original springs and worn out bushings. Never throw anything out--- , you can move it later, or pass it on to your kids John

Hey, do you have anything left of your original springs? I need a rear main leaf----?????? John, PM me. The one I need has the eyes on each end.

I had replacement military NOS springs for my M38A1 and both ends were bushed.
I simply used a bench vice and sockets to do this. They are not difficult to press out.