The Ford Barn

Mike in NRN IN · 06-03-2011, 10:43 AM

What is the best way to install the bushings in the clutch/brake pedals and the clutch housing? These are the same bushings (brass) but I have not been able to do this without destroying the bushings (thank goodness I purchased more than I needed.)

I appreciate the assistance.

Mike in NRN IN

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 06-03-2011, 10:47 AM

Machine or buy the proper sized bushing driver. The easiest way to make one is to use the old shaft you just took out and run a bead of weld around the perimeter about 1½" from the end. Then machine a "ledge" for the end of the bushing to rest against. The size of the shaft will provide the bushing support and you can either press it in (preferred) or drive it in.

.

Rowdy · 06-03-2011, 10:52 AM

I picked up a nice set of Craftsman bushing drivers at an auction this last Dec., one of the best $10 investments I have ever made. There is nothing like a tool made for the job. I have instlled them with a socket before using the new shaft as an abror of sorts, but that can be tricky. Rod

Mike in NRN IN · 06-03-2011, 11:04 AM

Thanks for the responses. More tools is always a good thing!

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 06-03-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike in NRN IN

Thanks for the responses. More tools is always a good thing!

....until you start looking for them!!

CarlG · 06-03-2011, 11:06 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike in NRN IN

... More tools is always a good thing!

I think this is why we are all in this hobby -- not so much for the cars as it is an excuse to get more tools!

Tom Endy · 06-03-2011, 11:12 AM

You need a bushing driver.

Tom Endy

Mike in NRN IN · 06-03-2011, 11:36 AM

Tom - where did you get that driver (or did you machine it?) Not having the lathe (or space for such) I would be dependent on either 1) building a new garage (then stocking up the garage with more tools - always a good option), 2) finding somebody to machine a tool, 3) finding somebody to borrow the tool, 4) buying the bushing driver.

I appreciate the help and photos.

Brian T · 06-03-2011, 11:42 AM

Hello Mike,
They have a cheap set at Harbor Freight, they would be OK for occasional use at home.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...bushing+driver

Tom Endy · 06-03-2011, 12:38 PM

Mile:

A friend made the tool shown in the photo. It is very precision and he had it hardened. I had a tool prior to that I used so much I wore it out. My friend saw it and since he had a machine shop he made me a new one.

You need to find someone with a lathe to make one for you. With a lathe it is an easy task. It does not need to be hardened.

When you get the bushings in the bell housing you may need to ream them. You can hone them, but they may not line up with each other and you won't be able to get the release shaft through both bushings.

The reamer I have I got from Bratton's years ago and it is long enough to fit through both bushings.

Tom Endy

Tom Wesenberg · 06-03-2011, 12:50 PM

In addition to having the proper bushing driver, when pressing some thin split bushings, they sometimes like to spread apart at the seam, so I made an outer collar to just slip on while driving the bushing into place.

Tom Endy · 06-03-2011, 07:14 PM

Tom:

I have encountered that problem. I usually rotate the bushing so that I can view the seam. If it starts to spread as I am driving it in I clamp the outer end with a pair of vice grips until the bushing is far enough in to not spread.

Tom Endy

700rpm · 08-17-2012, 01:46 PM

I bought the HF bushing driver and it worked OK up to a point. But it does not work to get the clutch pedal bushing into the pedal from the notched side; the shoulder is too large an the inside diameter is sloppy. Normally I can press these in with my bench vise, but I have a particularly stubborn one here. I've got the bushing in on the flush side, but can't seem to get the other side started, I think due to the notched characteristic.

I don't want to spend $80 (machinist's estimate) to make a special driver for the installation of one bushing. Chamfering the leading edge of the bushing doesn't seem to do anything either.

How have others solved this problem?

Tom Wesenberg · 08-17-2012, 09:30 PM

I would make an outside collar to keep the bushing from spreading. Also make your own inside driver if you need a bushing driver with a tighter fit.

columbiA · 08-17-2012, 10:49 PM

Ive installed the bushings by putting a slight bevel on the end & putting a heater hose clamp on it to keep it from spreading & used the vice to install them in the pedals.On the clutch hsg I use the same procedure but use a reversed socket & short extention & tap them in place.

700rpm · 08-17-2012, 10:58 PM

Thank you Tom and Columbia. I think I can get it done now with that info.

Purdy Swoft · 08-18-2012, 10:19 AM

I have allways used an old pedal shaft with the collar installed backwards. I chamfer the leading edge of the bushing, oil and drive the bushing home. this also works on the pedals. It is allways best to have extra bushings, you are liable to damage some, no matter how you in stall them.

Brentwood Bob · 08-18-2012, 11:58 AM

I used thread stock and washers, and see the error of my ways. Bob

Purdy Swoft · 08-18-2012, 12:54 PM

I bought bushings from two popular model A vendors, this side of the Mississippi. The bushings from Snyders worked good, not so for the bushings from the other vendor.

van Dyck · 08-18-2012, 01:26 PM

I have found that 90-120 weight gear oil spread inside the hole prevents the occurrence of metal galling or cold-welding during installation.

06-03-2011, 10:43 AM	#1
Mike in NRN IN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 208	Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install What is the best way to install the bushings in the clutch/brake pedals and the clutch housing? These are the same bushings (brass) but I have not been able to do this without destroying the bushings (thank goodness I purchased more than I needed.) I appreciate the assistance. Mike in NRN IN

06-03-2011, 10:47 AM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,508	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install Machine or buy the proper sized bushing driver. The easiest way to make one is to use the old shaft you just took out and run a bead of weld around the perimeter about 1½" from the end. Then machine a "ledge" for the end of the bushing to rest against. The size of the shaft will provide the bushing support and you can either press it in (preferred) or drive it in. . __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

06-03-2011, 10:52 AM	#3
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install I picked up a nice set of Craftsman bushing drivers at an auction this last Dec., one of the best $10 investments I have ever made. There is nothing like a tool made for the job. I have instlled them with a socket before using the new shaft as an abror of sorts, but that can be tricky. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

06-03-2011, 11:04 AM	#4
Mike in NRN IN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 208	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install Thanks for the responses. More tools is always a good thing!

06-03-2011, 11:36 AM	#8
Mike in NRN IN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 208	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install Tom - where did you get that driver (or did you machine it?) Not having the lathe (or space for such) I would be dependent on either 1) building a new garage (then stocking up the garage with more tools - always a good option), 2) finding somebody to machine a tool, 3) finding somebody to borrow the tool, 4) buying the bushing driver. I appreciate the help and photos.

06-03-2011, 11:42 AM	#9
Brian T Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Diego,Ca Posts: 1,377	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install Hello Mike, They have a cheap set at Harbor Freight, they would be OK for occasional use at home. http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...bushing+driver

06-03-2011, 12:38 PM	#10
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install Mile: A friend made the tool shown in the photo. It is very precision and he had it hardened. I had a tool prior to that I used so much I wore it out. My friend saw it and since he had a machine shop he made me a new one. You need to find someone with a lathe to make one for you. With a lathe it is an easy task. It does not need to be hardened. When you get the bushings in the bell housing you may need to ream them. You can hone them, but they may not line up with each other and you won't be able to get the release shaft through both bushings. The reamer I have I got from Bratton's years ago and it is long enough to fit through both bushings. Tom Endy

06-03-2011, 12:50 PM	#11
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install In addition to having the proper bushing driver, when pressing some thin split bushings, they sometimes like to spread apart at the seam, so I made an outer collar to just slip on while driving the bushing into place.

06-03-2011, 07:14 PM	#12
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install Tom: I have encountered that problem. I usually rotate the bushing so that I can view the seam. If it starts to spread as I am driving it in I clamp the outer end with a pair of vice grips until the bushing is far enough in to not spread. Tom Endy

08-17-2012, 01:46 PM	#13
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,903	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install I bought the HF bushing driver and it worked OK up to a point. But it does not work to get the clutch pedal bushing into the pedal from the notched side; the shoulder is too large an the inside diameter is sloppy. Normally I can press these in with my bench vise, but I have a particularly stubborn one here. I've got the bushing in on the flush side, but can't seem to get the other side started, I think due to the notched characteristic. I don't want to spend $80 (machinist's estimate) to make a special driver for the installation of one bushing. Chamfering the leading edge of the bushing doesn't seem to do anything either. How have others solved this problem? __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

08-17-2012, 09:30 PM	#14
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install I would make an outside collar to keep the bushing from spreading. Also make your own inside driver if you need a bushing driver with a tighter fit.

08-17-2012, 10:49 PM	#15
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install Ive installed the bushings by putting a slight bevel on the end & putting a heater hose clamp on it to keep it from spreading & used the vice to install them in the pedals.On the clutch hsg I use the same procedure but use a reversed socket & short extention & tap them in place.

08-17-2012, 10:58 PM	#16
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,903	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install Thank you Tom and Columbia. I think I can get it done now with that info. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

08-18-2012, 10:19 AM	#17
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install I have allways used an old pedal shaft with the collar installed backwards. I chamfer the leading edge of the bushing, oil and drive the bushing home. this also works on the pedals. It is allways best to have extra bushings, you are liable to damage some, no matter how you in stall them.

08-18-2012, 11:58 AM	#18
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,234	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install I used thread stock and washers, and see the error of my ways. Bob

08-18-2012, 12:54 PM	#19
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install I bought bushings from two popular model A vendors, this side of the Mississippi. The bushings from Snyders worked good, not so for the bushings from the other vendor.

08-18-2012, 01:26 PM	#20
van Dyck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 190	Re: Question: Clutch Housing and Pedal Bushing Install I have found that 90-120 weight gear oil spread inside the hole prevents the occurrence of metal galling or cold-welding during installation.