Bushing Puller and Installer

his study aimed to design, fabricate, and evaluate a “bushing puller” and “installer” for automotive under-chassis bushings, comparing it to conventional methods in terms of performance, safety, and time efficiency. The device is designed to aid automotive mechanics in safely and conveniently pulling out and installing bushings. Key components include a hydraulic actuator-powered adapter that pushes or catches the bushing, a guide shaft for alignment, and a hydraulic pump supplying fluid pressure to the actuator. Testing demonstrated that the “bushing puller” and “installer” reduced the average bushing removal time to 10 minutes and 15 seconds, a 49% improvement over the conventional average of 20 minutes and 12 seconds. Installation time was similarly shortened, with an average of 6 minutes and 31 seconds compared to the conventional method’s 16 minutes and 5 seconds, reflecting a 59%-time reduction. The hydraulic actuator, requiring minimal operator force at an average pressure of 150 psi, minimized the risk of injuries associated with manual or flame-based methods, which can damage the bushing housing or cause harm to the operator. The study concluded that the bushing puller and installer provided faster, safer, and more efficient bushing services compared to conventional practices. Recommendations by the technical evaluators included: (1) the gadget's enhanced efficiency in bushing removal and replacement, (2) improved safety throughout the servicing process, (3) reduced environmental impact by eliminating the need for burning, (4) successful alignment with design objectives, and (5) suitability for on-vehicle bushing replacement. This innovation addresses safety concerns and improves the servicing process by incorporating environmentally friendly mechanical methods.