Suspension bushing service tool and method of use
OwnerDarren MUENCHRATH, Ryan STORMOENinventors
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Abstract
A lightweight and portable service tool and method of use is provided for facilitating bushing replacement without removal of suspension from a vehicle. A tool end removably straddles the suspension and anchors the tool to the suspension. An actuator end, connected to the tool end, imparts a bushing jacking force along a common tool axis for extracting a bushing from, or installing a bushing into an eyelet of the suspension. The actuator end can form a jack or form a bore for receiving a portable jack as the source of the jacking force.
Claims15
A service tool for extracting and installing a bushing in an eyelet of a vehicular suspension, the tool being used in combination with an actuator, the service tool comprising:
- a frame having a actuator end and a tool end, the actuator end and tool end aligned along a longitudinal tool axis;
- the tool end forming a housing port open laterally to a side of the frame and aligned along the tool axis between an anchor plate and the actuator end, the anchor plate connected to the actuator end having a extraction port therethrough along the tool axis;
- the housing port sized to accept the suspension from the side of the frame with the housing adjacent the anchor plate and a bushing aligned along the tool axis, the actuator being operable between the actuator end and the bushing;
- wherein when the actuator is actuated to engage the bushing,
- the actuator, supported at the actuator end, urges the suspension to bear against the anchor plate for support thereby;
- and
- for installation, the bushing is urged into the supported suspension, and
- for extraction, the bushing is urged out of the supported suspension and at least partially through the through port.
A service tool for extracting and installing a bushing in an eyelet of a vehicular suspension, the tool being used in combination with a actuator, the service tool comprising:
- a frame having base end, an anchor end, and a housing port open laterally to a side of the frame and aligned along a longitudinal tool axis between the base end and anchor end;
- the housing port sized to accept the suspension from the side of the frame with the suspension adjacent the anchor end and a bushing axis aligned along the tool axis, the actuator being operable between the base and the bushing;
- the anchor end having an extraction port along the tool axis,
- wherein when the actuator is extended to engage the bushing,
- the suspension is urged against the anchor end and supported thereby;
- and
- for installation, the bushing is urged into the suspension, and
- for extraction, the bushing is urged out of the suspension and at least partially through the extraction port.
A method for insitu extraction and installation of bushings from and into an eyelet of a vehicular suspension comprising:
- disconnecting a suspension bushing from a vehicular frame, the bushing supported in a suspension eyelet;
- orienting a tool end of a service tool over the eyelet and bushing;
- jacking against an actuator end of the service tool to drive against the bushing;
- supporting the eyelet at the tool end and
- for installation, driving the bushing into the eyelet suspension, and
- for extraction, driving the bushing out of the eyelet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.