clutch fork bushings

[jim lee]

We put new bushings in the bell housing and bought a new clutch fork shaft. I can not for the life of me get the shaft to go into the bushings. They are just too tight. It'll go in a little way, like 1/8" but that's it. Is there some trick? I even tried the old shaft and that was the same. Anyone been here? My next move is to ream out the bushings to fit. Didn't want to do that 'till I asked.

Thanks!

-jim lee

[RMS]

I've seen situations were a hole is elongated (out of round) and the new bush conforms to the hoe making the bush out of round. reaming out the bush has been my fix. this is assuming that you removed the tranny, throwout bearing and the drivers side bush that bolts to the bell housing. inserted the fork into the now large hole on the drivers side of the housing and worked the fork rod into the passenger side bush with the ears pointing up.

[m37jarhead]

RMS has you on the right track. If it's not too late, mic the holes in the case and the new bushings i.d. and o.d., as well as the new shaft.
Should just verify what you've already experienced.
The old bushings, if not destroyed during removal, might also give you some clues.
As RMS advises, reaming may be your only solution.
The new bushings that I installed went in smooth as silk. Well.... almost.
Jerry

[jim lee]

They should be being reamed as I type. I brought the bell housing and shaft back to the machine shop last week and dropped it off. "This just isn't working." And we'll see..

-jim lee

[m37jarhead]

They should be being reamed as I type. I brought the bell housing and shaft back to the machine shop last week and dropped it off. "This just isn't working." And we'll see..

-jim lee

OK...... let us know how it turns out.
JB

[jim lee]

The guy pulled out the first "new" bushing tossed it and just made one to fit. Works fine now. (See the "Low compression" thread in the builder' blog section.)

-jim lee