What's the secret to installing new shock bushings?

[John Schmidt]

Just got new bushings and metal inserts from Progressive. Lousy service; ordered on 6/7, shipped 6/19, rec'd. today....6/24. That's about 2 1/2 weeks.....should have been a "no charge" after being so inconsiderate. Can't believe those jerks.

Anyway, what's the secret to installing the bushings. Again, for no fool reason these are one piece instead of two piece which work just as well(personal experience). I'm seriously thinking about cutting them in half and slipping them in from either side. Then press in the metal insert and be done with it. It's not as though the rubber part is going anywhere, and I did that with some replacements for the OEM shocks and it worked great with less frustration. But I'm open to any suggestions.

[Gavin_Sons]

Hot water for a few minutes. Soak them and they should soften up enough to press in. I also used a wood clamp to press them in.

[Motorider]

I used my vise with two pieces of wood in the jaws, to protect the shock and bushing. Just make sure the bushing is square and flat on the rubber.

[Valkpilot]

A little silicone spray doesn't hurt.

[tank_post142]

rubbing alcohol softens them right up like the spark plug boots !

[old2soon]

As warm as it is out put them in the sun and warm em up. Being squared up before pushing in helps. Same with the inserts-squared up. RIDE SAFE.

[John Schmidt]

OK, I can get them in, got one in by beveling one side and pressing with the vise. Next problem; my Progressive shocks came with metal inserts where they ride on the mounting bolts and you cannot get those in. The hole in the new bushing is too small. So I'm wondering now, do the Progressives now come without those metal sleeve inserts, that means they ride directly on the rubber bushings. I got these directly from Progressive quite a few years ago so maybe they've changed the construction. Sure seems to me the bushings would last a lot longer with the metal sleeves.

[tank_post142]

all the sleeves do is to reduce the amount of rubber available for cushioning and maybe make it a little easier to install the bolts.

[John Schmidt]

all the sleeves do is to reduce the amount of rubber available for cushioning and maybe make it a little easier to install the bolts.

Yes, I know, just bugs me I paid for the metal inserts and none of what they sent comes close to being big enough for any of the mounting points. Guess I'll have to decide; do I put them on without the metal inserts, or ream out the rubber a bit so the old ones fit. Probably go with just the rubber. Progressive....what a joke. Progressive in name only. 

[ValkFlyer]

all the sleeves do is to reduce the amount of rubber available for cushioning and maybe make it a little easier to install the bolts.

Yes, I know, just bugs me I paid for the metal inserts and none of what they sent comes close to being big enough for any of the mounting points. Guess I'll have to decide; do I put them on without the metal inserts, or ream out the rubber a bit so the old ones fit. Probably go with just the rubber. Progressive....what a joke. Progressive in name only. 

John, It's been awhile since I've had my 440's off but I believe the inserts on top do not utilize sleeves, it's only those on the bottom where the bolts must be must be inserted through.

[John Schmidt]

all the sleeves do is to reduce the amount of rubber available for cushioning and maybe make it a little easier to install the bolts.

Yes, I know, just bugs me I paid for the metal inserts and none of what they sent comes close to being big enough for any of the mounting points. Guess I'll have to decide; do I put them on without the metal inserts, or ream out the rubber a bit so the old ones fit. Probably go with just the rubber. Progressive....what a joke. Progressive in name only. 

John, It's been awhile since I've had my 440's off but I believe the inserts on top do not utilize sleeves, it's only those on the bottom where the bolts must be must be inserted through.

Mine had metal inserts both top and bottom. I first tried to press them in once I had a new bushing in place. No go! So removed the bushing to see if the insert would fit then, which it did except then the bushing wouldn't press in. So out came the insert. I finally installed the shocks with just the new rubber bushings on top, no inserts. They're snug so I'll leave it at that.