Removing Bushing to Install Heavy Duty Shocks for Yakima Rack and Roll Trailer

Updated 07/01/2019 | Published 06/26/2019

Question:

I am replacing the standard shocks silver and blue on a new Yakima 78inch Rack and Roll trailer with the optional heavy duty shocks orange and blue. When I slid the two standard shocks from their mounting bolts on the frame, in each case the metal bushing inside the rubber shock eye stayed on the mounting bolt and appears to be stuck there. This means that I cant install the new shocks unless I do one of two things: 1 somehow force the metal bushings out of the heavy duty shocks before sliding them onto the stuck bushings on the mounting bolts, OR 2 somehow remove the stuck metal bushings from the mounting bolts, which should permit me to slide the heavy duty shocks into place. Neither of these options feels like it is going to be easy, and I have the feeling that I am going to ruin something. Attached picture shows one of the stuck metal bushing on the mounting bolt.

asked by: Jack P

Expert Reply:

I checked with Yakima and they told me to have to have you clean and lubricate the bushing and then try to pull it off with a pair of pliers. Force isn’t an issue because if they can’t get the bushing off we will need to replace the trailer side rail.

expert reply by: Jameson C