I'm new to the solid 8.8 ,how do I get my spherical bushings into the housing "ears"?

[EIU88GT]

I have an 03 Cobra and I am doing a live axle swap and thought the GT guys could be very helpful. I purchased a set of spherical bushings #DDSB903 from D & D Motorsportsfor my 8.8" build. The housing is off the car and I went to try to install the bushings and I could not get them to go in the housing "ears". I didnt want to try to tap them in with a mallet because I didnt want to damage them. Is there a trick or something I can do to get them in easier, like put some lube on the outside of the bearing, or sand down the inside of the opening. Can I tap on the side of the bearing with a rubber mallet to get it in??? I know there is a bushing installation tool that Maximum Motorsports makes, but due to the design of these bushings, I dont think the tool will work because they arent totally round and have a nut on both sides


I plan on calling D & D tomorrow, but I thought maybe someone could help me tonite so I can get this done. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Jason

 

[D'SDOUBLEOGT]

I just installed some from UPR last night so I’ll try and help you. If you haven’t got the old bushings out yet I’ll start from there… Oil them down with plenty of WD-40 or something like that and let it soak in then do it again. Beat the bushing in farther in with a big hammer then more oil. Then drive them out the other way. After the bushing is out the hole needs to be cleaned. I used a fine sanding drum on my dremel and cleaned the opening and the outer surface. I made the hole a slightly larger but not much. Make sure to test fit the whole time. I applied anti-seize to the diff and bushing. You will want to tap the bushing in place holding a block of wood up to the bushing and hitting the block of wood with a hammer. Apply locktite to the threads of the bushing and then thread it on.

Word of warning don’t sand away too much metal… You want a little bit of a tight fit to keep the bushing from moving. All I had to do is three slight taps and the bushing was in.

 

[EIU88GT]

I just installed some from UPR last night so I’ll try and help you. If you haven’t got the old bushings out yet I’ll start from there… Oil them down with plenty of WD-40 or something like that and let it soak in then do it again. Beat the bushing in farther in with a big hammer then more oil. Then drive them out the other way. After the bushing is out the hole needs to be cleaned. I used a fine sanding drum on my dremel and cleaned the opening and the outer surface. I made the hole a slightly larger but not much. Make sure to test fit the whole time. I applied anti-seize to the diff and bushing. You will want to tap the bushing in place holding a block of wood up to the bushing and hitting the block of wood with a hammer. Apply locktite to the threads of the bushing and then thread it on.

Word of warning don’t sand away too much metal… You want a little bit of a tight fit to keep the bushing from moving. All I had to do is three slight taps and the bushing was in.

Thanks, thats kind of what I thought would be involved, sounds like a good plan!!

 

[D'SDOUBLEOGT]

only took 20 min or so

 

[hognutz]

short story long you either have to drive them in or press them in.

there are tools you can buy for this. I know maximum motorsports sell one. I just ordered it as I am having my housing powdercoated and I just want to put them in the easy way this time. when I get on the end of a hammer it is not always a good thing.

I took the old ones out the old fashioned way though. it kind of of sucks though because of the angle you have on them.