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Installing Pilot Bushing

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

  1. Feb 22, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
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    5,593
    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?
     
  2. Feb 22, 2017
    CJ Joe

    CJ Joe Truckhaven Tough!

    Pinon Hills, CA
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    Nov 9, 2002
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    It should not be that hard to drive it in. Something is not right. Can you accurately measure the bore?
     
  3. Feb 23, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    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...
     
  4. Feb 23, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    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.
     
  6. Feb 23, 2017
    Focker

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

    WA
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    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?
     
  7. Feb 23, 2017
    Focker

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

    WA
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  8. Feb 23, 2017
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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  9. Feb 23, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Call Novak............they get into Pilot bushings more so than most.
     
  10. Feb 23, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

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

    oldtime oldtime

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

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    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.
     
  13. Feb 23, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
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    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.
     
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