Firewall Bushing Frustration

[cameroncole]

Okay - I am a believer - that bushing is uhhh difficult to install.

Can anyone relay a method or a tool that will work?

The old one came out in a few minutes. I gave up after several hours on the new one.

I read the tech article and may try the pipe pressure fit tool.

Frank

[Jim Chambers]

I have had great success by heating the bushing in a cup of water in microwave (get it to boil). Carefully take the cup to the garage, remove bushing with pliers, start it into the hole at an angle and whack it with a hammer. Sometimes after starting it at an angle you can pry it in place with a screwdriver. Getting it soft is the key.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Also, removing the rod that goes through the bushing helps. I even know people who have cut the bushing to make it easier to fit, but I don't think that's such a great idea.

Try hot water, as Jim said!

--DD

[cameroncole]

Hi,

I tried to soak it in boiling water for a few minutes. Better - but I did not get it in.

Will try the Micro-wave trick or let it sit in boiling water on the stove for a while.

Frank

[cameroncole]

Success!

The microwave trick worked great.

1. placed the bushing in a cup and heated it in the microwave under beverage.

2. I squeezed the bushing into an oval and placed the busing in the firewall at an angle. I pushed it in as far as I can go. Now this made a difference - I started inserting it at the bottom of the hole and worked my way around. The top was exposed and I used a 4 lb hammer to tap it in.

Thanks all for the suggestions!

Frank

[wrongpew]

I've discovered that a woodworker's hand screw clamp - the kind that has two threadded rods adjusting two wood jaws - works like a charm. Took me about 15 seconds to install the bushing. BTW, the same clamp works great for pressing the pistons of the brake caliper back in because the jaws can be adjusted to odd angles and still grip. However, it does take a slow, powerful turn of the screw do get the piston moving.

[SGB]

Originally posted by wrongpew
I've discovered that a woodworker's hand screw clamp - the kind that has two threadded rods adjusting two wood jaws - works like a charm.

thats a great idea, I could see using such a device for many "soft clamp" situations. Where did you get such, Home Depot? Harbor Freight? A REAL hardware store?

[M. Hendrix]

Yep.

M

[wrongpew]

You can buy this clamp at virtually any hardware/home center and yes, Harbor Freight. Worth its weight in gold. I neglected to say that the shift rod does have to be withdrawn from the firewall, but that's the hard part of the whole operation. Offset the jaws so that one jaw grabs the lip at the bottom of the firewall, the other jaw squarely on the bushing. A few turns of the screw and you're done. Fifteen seconds - I swear.

[sean_V8_914]

try a pc of all-thread and 2 large washers

[M. Hendrix]

I just put it on my nose, and bash my head on the firewall til it pops in.

Highly satisfying.


M