Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

[Duke W.]

This is specifically related to the Borg Warner T-50 five-speed in my Cosworth Vega, but many GM transmissions use the same parts.

The yoke is sloppy and the seal leaks, so the tailshaft bronze bushing is worn and needs to be replaced. I prefer doing it without removing and disassembling the box (obviously), and have received various advice/heard various stories.

I've heard there is a special tool that can be used to extract the bushing even with the trans in the car. Anyone familiar with this?

Another manner I've heard is that the old bushing can simply be pounded further into the housing in order to provide room for a new one. This sounds a little scary, but is certainly simple. Has anyone ever done this?

Duke

[Gary R.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Duke -Snap on made a tool to remove the bushing from the tailhousing without removal of the trans. I never had one to use but know they made one.

[John H.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

I've heard there is a special tool that can be used to extract the bushing even with the trans in the car. Anyone familiar with this?

Duke -

The Snap-on bushing extractor tool is shown in the photo below - it's like a cylindrical pilot bushing puller.


BushingTool2800.jpg

[Richard F.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

You can definitely do it on a Muncie. Never did myself, but when I was in there I could see that there is room. You can only do it once though. Only enough space for one extra bush.

[Terry M.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Duke -

The Snap-on bushing extractor tool is shown in the photo below - it's like a cylindrical pilot bushing puller.


[ATTACH=CONFIG]50314[/ATTACH]

John,
Any chance of you sharing the Snap-on numbers for those tools?

[Gary C.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Terry,

Found these two on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-S-8672D-8687A-9611-SET-OF-TRANSMISSION-BUSHING-REMOVER-PULLER-TAILSHAFT-/261376490232?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item3cdb40baf8&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-S8687A-Transmission-Bushing-Remover-and-Installer-/390747282104?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5afa5a5ab8

My SnapOn catalog shows ATS2200 Bushing Remover/Installer in the Drive Line Transmission section. Didn't find it in the SnapOn on-line catalog?

Gary
....

[Tom P.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Duke,
YES, both A and B are correct. I've personally done both.
I have the removal tool for the 27spline size tail housing bushing. Do you need to borrow it?
BUUUUUUUUUUT, question number next is, do you have ample room to get in there to use the puller?

[Terry M.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Terry,

Found these two on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-S-8672D-8687A-9611-SET-OF-TRANSMISSION-BUSHING-REMOVER-PULLER-TAILSHAFT-/261376490232?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item3cdb40baf8&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-S8687A-Transmission-Bushing-Remover-and-Installer-/390747282104?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5afa5a5ab8

My SnapOn catalog shows ATS2200 Bushing Remover/Installer in the Drive Line Transmission section. Didn't find it in the SnapOn on-line catalog?

Gary
....

I knew there were many, probably more than three different ones. But which is for the Muncie?

[Tom P.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

I can't tell you which tool part number is the one for a Muncie (with the 27spline tail shaft), which is the ONLY one I have. But it is the same tool needed for the early 3spds, PG, T-10, Muncie. If the Vega 5sp uses the same tail housing bushing, then it will also fit that one.

[Duke W.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Offhand I don't know the spline count on the T-50 output shaft, but the bushing is GM 6260048 (NAPA 13932) and the seal is 361165 (NAPA 15041) I know the bushing is common to other transmissions, both manual an auto, and I expect the seal is too.

I've got another problem that I have to solve first. The Cosworth Vega has a spalled axle drive pinion bearing. I guess 5000 miles of race track hot lapping finally took a toll. Since I don't race anymore and only drive it a few hundred miles a year I'm looking for a serviceable used 4.10 Positraction axle that I can just swap out from an otherwise dead '76 five-speed CV. I'm checking on that now through my contacts in the CV community.

Once I get the axle plan in place I want a plan of attack for the trans tail housing bushing. With the driveshaft and torque arm removed for the axle swap there is good access to the rear of the trans, and it's not that hard to remove the trans mount cross member and drop it down a little more if necessary.

The photo that John posted looks like what would be required to do the job. Thanks for all the advice and offers, guys. Let me know if you need any other details.

Duke

[Gary R.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

DukeI know a guy here in CT with a CV that his brother started to restore and stopped. I don't know if you are interested in another one, this is a project car for sure, but it was for sale the last I heard. I don't have a price or much else but the guys name & ph #. I doubt he will part it out it would be a complete sale.

[Duke W.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Thanks for the thought, Gary, but no thanks. One CV is all I can handle. Mine had a lot of warranty problems, including the original five-speed seizing up at 70 MPH on the San Diego freeway, but it finally settled down and was a very quick and reliable track car with open exhaust, upgraded Monza brakes, fast ratio steering box, anti-roll bar and alignment tuning, and good tires. Here's an article about my track days.

http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/2007/11/01/hmn_feature17.html

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Here's some more dimensional information.

The output shaft is nominally 1 1/8" with 27 splines and the 6260048 bushing ID is 1.505", That leaves a radial clearance of about 3/16" inch, so the tool needs to be no more than 1.5" OD at the "hook" end when retracted and 1 1/8" ID. I don't see how the spline count would make any difference, and I would expect that other transmissions that use the 6260048 bushing also have the same output shaft OD.

It looks like the set in the first link that Gary C posted has three different size tools.

So, Tom, is does the tool you have conform to the above dimensions?

Duke

[Russ C.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Assuming it's similar to the Muncie, there's really no "special tool" required, other than a screwdriver or other suitable wedge to collapse the bushing. note the oil drain groove in the bottom of the case under the bushing. this gives you a space to work from to easily collapse the bushing and simply pull it out.
When I was doing this I checked with Snap-on and was told they no longer manufacture the specific puller mentioned.

[Tom P.]

Re: Need advice on changing a transmission tail housing bushing

Duke,
Yep, the tool I have is for the trannys that have the same size shaft/bushing as a 63-70 Muncie.