Any homemade bushing driver ideas?

[Great Lakes Greg]

Tom Endys bellhousing article in the Restorer magazine is timely, as I am doing that right now. He has a nice bushing driver. I do not, nor do I have the milling equipment to make one. Will a press or gentle bumps from a brass hammer do the job, or will I just ruin the bushings? Any homebuilt tool ideas out there?

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Sadly, I think this is another one of those situations where having the proper tools is needed to make restoration tools. A lathe is something that you need in this situation. If you are sans a lathe, maybe the next best thing would be a friend with one. Bumps from a hammer or a press will in all liklihood do damage to the bushing prior to getting it installed correctly.

One thing I might also suggest is find a local machine shop to install it and then have them use their wrist pin fitting machine to hone the bushings to fit the shaft. I feel this is much superior to use a reamer or sandpaper wrapped around a finger.

.

 

[Flathead]

Sometimes you can use an extension with the socket mounted backwards for a sharper edge. A flat washer of the correct size bolted on the end of a threaded rod. Freeze plug drilled and mounted on threaded rod. There's a few ideas that don't require special tools.

 

[Doug in NJ]

About 7 years ago I got a 7x12 mini-lathe, and I've used it zillions of times for all sorts of things, including making a bushing driver. Go check out www.mini-lathe.com to learn more.

Doug

 

[Model T Monte]

Greg, I`ve used all-thread and washers to pull bushings in that I could get to with this application. be sure that it is polished clean on both surfaces and a light lube dont hurt either. watch close that you don`t buckle the bushing as it pulls in. Cheap in some cases, ruined bushing in others. Apples an oranges. Monte

 

[Glenn C.]

Sometimes bushings can be troublesome to install, even with a machined bushing driver to size, especially if you are unlucky like myself, and have problems with by-focal glasses trying to align something straight, such as installing bushings in a clutch housing. Installing split bronze bushings can be a test at the best of times.
I would like to suggest a couple of ideas. Grind a slight starting taper on one end of the bushing you are installing. Wrap one or two layers of either glass filament tape, 1/2" wide or masking tape, around the bushing on the driver end. The will help prevent the bushing from spreading open, wrecking the fit and the bushing. When the bushing is about 50% or more, pressed into position, the rest of the tape can be removed.
If you are not a purist, this is a good time to install grease fittings into the clutch housing bushing bosses, for the annual lube job. Bushings should be pin-honed (preferred method) or by using the correct size spiral reamer. Adjustable reamers just catch on the bushing split line, which will cause you to hone the bushings anyway.

 

[Bob from Northport]

Get on ebay, and type in bushing driver. I just received a kit from Calif.seller that works really great on bell housings and the pedal bushings. Cost 20.00 for the kit-with all sizes of bushings.

 

[James Rogers]

Greg, I`ve used all-thread and washers to pull bushings in that I could get to with this application. be sure that it is polished clean on both surfaces and a light lube dont hurt either. watch close that you don`t buckle the bushing as it pulls in. Cheap in some cases, ruined bushing in others. Apples an oranges. Monte

I have used this same method in the past but, I put a socket inside the bushing that just fits the bore of the bushing. This helps to support the side walls of the bushing and keep it from collapsing. The packing tape on the outside helps.
Another method I have not tried but probably would work is, heat the bore with a torch, either MAPP gas or oxy/acet to very hot. Use dry ice available at most meat processors or grocery stores and acetone to freeze the bushing. Drop the bushing into the mix and when cool (about 90 seconds) remove it with needle nose pliers and it should slide into the bore with very little effort. Either way you will have to fit the bushing with a hone or a reamer. On the install, I would suggest a socket slightly smaller than the inside of the bushing with a washer larger than the bushing bolted through it for a pusher. Make the through bolt longer than the socket to give a hand hold. Be fast and sure since the bushing and bore will absorb each others temp difference and lock the bushing in place and it must be removed if not all the way in.

Hope this helps with some ideas.