MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Pilot bushing replacement

Does anyone know of an alternative way to replace a pilot bushing other than the method described in the workshop manual? I managed to damage mine while mating the engine and tranny.

I don't have access to the special slide hammer adapter or tap necessary to complete the repair as described in the manual.

My thought is to remove it by cutting the bushing (carefully) with a hacksaw blade in two locations.

Thoughts and advice much appreciated.
Brian Dubuc

Brian,
One of the ways is to find a lag bolt whose threads will engage the bronze and screw it on in. Another technique that works for some of us is to pack the hole with grease, find a dowel of wood or metal (old input shaft?) that fits snugly inside the bushing and smack it in with a hammer, forcing the bushing out hydraulically.
David "don't forget to pre-oil the new one" Lieb
David Lieb

Thanks David. Looks like a trip to Home Depot tomorrow!
B Dubuc

Brian,
Along with the grease method there is the same basic technique using paper towels saturated and wrung out so some water remains but not dripping.

Less mess (usually) and drying out the remains is a simple matter of using a hair dryer.

Good luck , Pete.
Peter Thomas

Use an old screwdriver or small chisel and drive it between the bush and crank. Drive it all the way in and the bush will fold. Any scratches on the inner surface of the crank do not matter and actually help to stop the new bush from rotating in the hole.
Chris at Octarine Services

Brian,
The fastest and easiest way I have found to remove the bush is to use a 7/9-9 tap. Put an old socket in the bush then start the tap. When the tap bottoms out on the socket it will walk the bush out of the crank. It takes less than 30 seconds to remove the bushing with no mess afterward. I learned this trick from one of my fellow club members who has been doing it this way for years.
Tony
Tony Shoviak

And the verdict is . . . the cold chisel. Bearing comes right out, and I didn't even scratch the crank.

Besides, has anyone ever tried to find a 7/8" diameter bolt? The best I could find at retail hardware stores is 3/4 inch.

Anyway, thanks to everyone who offered up suggestions.
Brian Dubuc

I don't know if it is a common problem but I had a replacement bush that was fractionally too small for the input shaft to slide into. Caused me no end of grief trying to figure out why it wouldn't mate up.

For the record I removed it using the soggy tissue paper method!
Simon Jansen

It always amazes me how I find cool new ideas here. I have tried the grease method, and it worked a treat. But the soggy tissue sounds better. And I would have never thought that a few scratches in the crank hole would actually help. Thank you guys!
Tom

I just replaced mine as part of a transmission swap. The old one actually fell out one day and the new one didn't quite fit, it seemed a bit large. Rather than try to force it we put it in the freezer for a while and then it started. Then we used a piece of wood to tap it into place.
Ed Emery

This thread was discussed between 09/08/2009 and 11/08/2009

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now