Diff Carrier - Dana 36 Batwing Bushing
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Russellville TN
St. Jude Donor '06
Diff Carrier - Dana 36 Batwing Bushing
Is there a secret to pressing these little gems into the diff carrier? I used lots of silicon spray and a 20 ton press today. The bushing is bigger then the hole. I tried just about everything to get them press in with no luck. I even used a few choice words while attempting this feat and they didn't work either, so I packed up my tools and left the shop for the day. I could use a few pointers from those who have done this before....
Frank
Frank
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by Corvette86
Is there a secret to pressing these little gems into the diff carrier? I used lots of silicon spray and a 20 ton press today. The bushing is bigger then the hole. I tried just about everything to get them press in with no luck. I even used a few choice words while attempting this feat and they didn't work either, so I packed up my tools and left the shop for the day. I could use a few pointers from those who have done this before....
Frank
Frank
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Indeed for some areas installing poly bushings requires that the steel insert be removed while others do not. If youi are using ES poly bushings, check the installation instructions.
If the Id of the steel insert is smaller than the OD of the bushing, drive or press out the insert.
If the Id of the steel insert is smaller than the OD of the bushing, drive or press out the insert.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Russellville TN
St. Jude Donor '06
Guys,
I purchase the Prothane kit from Ecklers. Didn't come with instructions nor does their website have anything useful. I didn't cut the shell out but will do in next day or so.....
Thanks,
Frank
I purchase the Prothane kit from Ecklers. Didn't come with instructions nor does their website have anything useful. I didn't cut the shell out but will do in next day or so.....
Thanks,
Frank
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by aboatguy
Did you cut the steel shell from the old bushing out of the batwing?
I suggest that you measure the ID of the batwing bore and machine the bushing with a few thousanths interferrence fit. The amount of effort to remove that sleeve is not it.
BTW, my sleeve was aluminum.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
From: 1985 L98, Auto. O'FALLON, IL
You need to carefully drill holes all the way around the outside of the rubber bushing be very carefull not to nick the aluminum of the batwing itself, after you get the rubber bushing out you will then have to cut out the aluminum shell that is in the batwing. If you have not already damaged the rubber of the bushing I would leave it alone. I replaced these on my car because they came with the kit. If I would have known they were such a pain to get out I would have left them, they were in great shape compared to the rest of the bushings on the back of the car. Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 639
Likes: 0
From: 1985 L98, Auto. O'FALLON, IL
Sorry I just realized that you already have removed the bushing and are trying to install the new one, good luck you have to cut out the aluminum insert that is in the bat wing, I used a dremel tool and a hack saw blade to make one cut and then a pair of pliers to fold it in a little and then pull it out.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
The bushing has to be put in with a press.
One side of the bat wing has a sharp streight end and the other has a flang on it to install the bushing.
It takes a ton of force even if you install on the correct side.
They should have come with a grease that looks like bee honey ,and gets all over everything.
One side of the bat wing has a sharp streight end and the other has a flang on it to install the bushing.
It takes a ton of force even if you install on the correct side.
They should have come with a grease that looks like bee honey ,and gets all over everything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
I heard someone say on some thread somewhere a while back that they used fire to remove control arm bushings to just melt them instead of pressing them out. I thought about doing that when I was rebuilding my front suspenson, but was not too sure if the heat of the flame would weaken the soft aluminum so I passed on that.
Last edited by 86PACER; Aug 26, 2005 at 04:16 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
When installing my front & rear sway bar bushings into the end fittings I was able to get the new bushings pressed in using a large C-clamp and the right size socket. And, yes, lots of the "goop" does help; it's just hell to get off your hands afterwards. 
