1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Installing Pilot Bushing

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by FinoCJ, Feb 22, 2017.

  1. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    I have had very little success getting the pilot bushing installed (both for this current project and previously). I just wasted a new bushing from deforming it trying to 'drive' it in with the backside of a socket. I had it in the freezer for a couple weeks and lubricated the outside of it just a bit. I need to find a better way than beating the hell out of it to get it in.

    Wondering if I can try to use a very fine grit sandpaper to smooth and clean-up the outside a bit to help it out?

    Was wondering if using a puller like this to push it in would be better?
     
    FinoCJ, Feb 22, 2017
    #1
  2. CJ Joe

    CJ Joe Truckhaven Tough!

    It should not be that hard to drive it in. Something is not right. Can you accurately measure the bore?
     
    CJ Joe, Feb 22, 2017
    #2
  3. tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    What he said..............Measure both the bore and the Bushing OD.......also make sure the bore is round...........the bushing should only be about plus .001+/- if the bore is round.............freeze the part and take a heat gun or hair dryer and heat up the crank for a few minutes...
     
    tarry99, Feb 23, 2017
    #3
  4. 47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    What those guys said. When I have driven mine in, I made a tool that had the same ID as the bushing.
     
    47v6, Feb 23, 2017
    #4
  5. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Yup...its seems simple...watched people do it and it looks simple...Mine definitely isn't...I have put the bushing in the freezer for weeks and also heated the bore...

    I don't really have a good way to measure the inside bore...especially for roundness... I have a good set of calipers, but that doesn't necessarily work for roundness. The bushings I have been using are federal mogul (national) - will have to get home to check the part number. What is interesting is I had this problem last summer when I put a new pilot bushing into my old crank - it was a PITA to get in - and now with the new crank I have the same problem. Maybe I am getting the wrong bushing somehow - getting what is shown as correct part from FLAPs which may be the issue.

    If the crank bore is out of round - that seems like a big problem to rectify considering it is already installed...

    UPDATE: did a little online research for parts specs...looks like the FM National bushing I have been getting from FLAPs has 1.096" OD, whereas a different options (Dorman) shows OD of 1.093"

    Is 0.003" enough to be causing this issue. I believe this is an interference type fit, but an extra 3 thousandths would be an issue. Guess I need to find the correct spec for the bushing OD.
     
    FinoCJ, Feb 23, 2017
    #5
  6. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    This may be dumb of me, but can you put a piece of paper over the bore hole and lightly scribe with a pencil to produce the bore hole size/roundness?
     
    Focker, Feb 23, 2017
    #6
  7. Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

     
    Focker, Feb 23, 2017
    #7
  8. oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    oldtime, Feb 23, 2017
    #8
  9. tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Call Novak............they get into Pilot bushings more so than most.
     
    tarry99, Feb 23, 2017
    #9
  10. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Would be great if you could - was thinking of buying one of your NOS ones I think you have listed.
     
    FinoCJ, Feb 23, 2017
    #10
  11. oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    O.K I'll.measure up 2 or 3 of them.
     
    oldtime, Feb 23, 2017
    #11
  12. oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    All I have is an accurate pair of .001" vernier calipers.
    Measured an original take out bushing @ 1.092" O.D.
    Measured a new bushing from Novak @ 1.093" O.D.
    Measured the porous bronze bushing I have for sale @ !.093" O.D.
    Measured the Federal mogul roller bushing (also for sale) @ 1.092" O.D.
     
    oldtime, Feb 23, 2017
    #12
  13. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Thanks a lot Ken! I think/hope dropping down to a 1.093" bushing may solve the problem - worth a try at least. Gonna check stuff with my calipers as well.
     
    FinoCJ, Feb 23, 2017
    #13