Removing the silent blocks is performed using a puller or by destroying the silent block. After removal, the lever shaft must be free of paint and rubber residues. Removal of silent blocks must be carried out on the dismantled lever.
Removal and subsequent replacement of silent blocks is made in case of damage. The complexity of this operation is due to the property of the silent block to adhere with its inner surface to the axis of the lever, which makes the connection practically one-piece. Replacing silent blocks does not require any specialized equipment and can be performed not only in a car service, but also in a garage workshop.
Silent block removal sequence
1. Jack up the front of the vehicle and secure the wheels for safety.
2. Remove the wheel, the steering arm bush of which is supposed to be removed.
3. Unscrew the lever using a wrench, the standard size of which is specified in the operating documentation for the car.
4. Remove the silent block from the lever.
In some cases, the removal of the silent block can be done using a special or universal puller. If this tool is not available, or its use does not give the required results, the silent block is removed by destroying it. The inner sleeve of the silent block is cut with a grinder or a hacksaw for metal. Then the surface of the lever axis must be cleaned of paint and rubber residues.
How the puller works
A puller for removing silent blocks is a set of structural elements, including a stop, a spacer and two bolts, one of which is hollow. When removing the silent block, a stop is put on it, which is fixed with its end on the surface of the lever. The hollow bolt is inserted into the center hole of the stop, after which a second bolt is inserted from the opposite side. Using two wrenches, the bolts are screwed in mutually, causing the silent block to be removed.
Pressing in a new silent block
After removing the silent blocks, it is necessary to install new ones. The silent blocks are installed on the lever axis with an interference fit, therefore, they are pre-heat treated before installation. The silentblock is heated with an industrial hair dryer, and the lever axis is lowered into cold water or a container with ice. After that, the silent block is pressed onto the lever.
Pressing in the silent block at home can be done using a vice, in which the lever with the silent block is clamped. In some cases, pressing is done with a hammer.
