Frustrated... How to get front differential bushing back into mount???

[Happy Hummer]

I'm at a loss lol! I for the life of me can not figure out how to get the bushing back into the sleeve on the differential mount. Have removed old by burn and cut method and have wire brushed and degreased said unit. Even put a thin coat of grease on bushing and sleeve but it is way to tight to just c clamp, pound or drive in with bolt and washers, nuts.

I purchased part #[FONT=&amp]B2110 Premium Front Differential Axle Bushing for 06-10 Hummer H3

Located at:

[/FONT]http://www.ebay.com/itm/B2110-Premium-Front-Differential-Axle-Bushing-for-06-10-Hummer-H3/181905148935?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I'm tired and need help figuring this out.

Thanks

 

[Happy Hummer]

Should the outer sleeve of the new bushing be larger than the holes in the differential mount?
Is it supposed to be super tight fitting?

Chris

 

[Flamingtaco]

The fit has to be super tight with sleeved bushings for them to stay put. Do not use grease! You'll have a bushing slip out no matter how hard it was to install if you use grease, anti-seize, etc.

Wheel bearing pulley sets will easily handle bushings. Some parts stores that loan tools have the kits. Might manage it with a ball joint tool, too, loaners will definitely have one of those.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Thanks. I will certainly try that.

 

[cgalpha08]

When I did them on my old H3, I used a hydraulic press. Although the bushings I used were the OD ones.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well, it took going to three shops and not a one of them were able to assist.
First one very pleasant, I've done stuff in the past with them but they do not have press or stuff like that. They recommended a really good place. Drive there guy says sorry we don't do that.... Lol!
Third shop practically had to beg em to look.
Finaly went to Auto zone and rented the largest set of ball joint stuff they carried. It's an advanced level professional set that came with a tone of stuff.
Well couple hours later part was reinstalled good as new.
Observations:
I'd skip this part as it is mediocre at best. It is not nearly as good as I thought it would be. Had to reshape the upper portion of the top because it was so grossly out of shape you couldn't get the cup to even come close to sliding over. The rubber seems of poor quality and the metal used is thin.
When I do the 06 H3 I'll be going with on of the aftermarket kits available as I believe the quality will be better.
All in all it works and fits but could be better. Just grateful it is completed.

Oh and the price is a bit high for this cheap made bushing.
Chris

 

[Happy Hummer]

I also skipped the grease and just went dry.

 

[Flamingtaco]

That's the norm for cheap 'aftermarket' parts. They are not designed to last as long as oem, otherwise the parts would be close in cost to oem, then who would buy non-oem parts?

There are a few that manufacture *HD* parts that are basically equal to OEM, and even fewer that manufacture slightly better, or truly HD parts (compared to oem).

The 'performance aftermarket' runs the gamut from being oem, to severely overbuilt.

 

[Happy Hummer]

:giggle:

 

[Happy Hummer]

Agreed. Unfortunately gm's infinite wisdom didn't think or care to provide a replacement bushing for the cross member.

 

[Flamingtaco]

I doubt the bushing was a one-off for the Hummer. Failure to properly cross-reference the part likely occured.

Due to the failures I'm reading, I doubt I'd go with the GM part, if it could be found.

I use Reothane 2-part urethane (60A Shore hardness) to rebuild mounts and bushings. 60A is within the typical 50-70 for oem (I've found it to be slightly firmer than oem on every part I've rebuilt), but urethane is a lot more durable than natural rubber. A kit is $30, and can do 3-5 bushings.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Hmm. Interesting.

 

[Flamingtaco]

I suggest to anyone and everyone to try it, it's pretty easy to work with. I make something to hold the parts in the required relative position, then tape the gaps with aluminum duct tape. For most bushings, aluminum duct tape will hold the two parts in position with no further work required. Pour from the open side, done.

For engine and transmission mounts, I typically use a couple of pieces of angle iron and attach to the mounts with the oem bolts. I'll cut some tubing to make sleeves for the bolts that will remain in the urethane when none are present. Tape up the gaps, and if it's an odd shape mount, make a funnel with tape at the high point of the mount. I've got some pictures of the mounts I made for my SHO, I'll see if I can locate them and post them up.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Actually a while ago I started a thread about doing pourable urethane for the bushings. I should go that route for the 06 H3....

 

[Flamingtaco]

Would be good to do a write-up on the process if there isn't one already.

 

[Happy Hummer]

I'm unsure if there's one. I looked into the pourable urethane liquid and it would be less costly to do your method.

 

[Flamingtaco]

When I have time I'll pull a few images off my archive drive and do a write-up. I only have images of engine mounts, but I think I may have some spare bushings that I can use to show how to set those up.

 

[Tengo1]

I bought the same one off eBay. Like you I couldn't figure how to get the dang thing back in. Luckily an auto shop around the corner agreed to put it in using their press for $40. Took the guy about 5 minutes to do it.

 

[woodwardsh3]

Ball Joint tool or press or a BFH

 

[Happy Hummer]

Yeah, I'm starting to get the need for a shop press to speed up stuff in the garage.