Remote diff housing bronze bushes

[jerry]

Hi All,
I'm overhauling the gearbox from my 1970 GT. The bronze bushes for the gear change in the diff housing are knackered. I have phosphor bronze bar to machine new bushes from, and have 3/4"OD x 1/2"ID x 1/8" thick lip seals to fit top and bottom. Obviously I'll have to shorten the bushes by 1/8" to allow fitment of the lip seals, but cant see this will have a detrimental effect on its load bearing capability, as its more of a linear bearing.
Has anybody fitted seals and run into problems with them? The seals only cost £3 for the pair so worth a go. Never liked the way the top bush is open to the elements.

Jerry

[bwaminispeed]

Rather than shorten them, can't you just push them in further, I don't think (may be wrong) that there is a step in the bore to prevent that...

If it was me, I would make the bushes as long as possible, within reason.....

[Aussie Bill B]

There is a step in the bore to limit how far the bushes can be inserted. The step is one reason why the bushes are a bit tricky to remove as there is not much of the old bush to get behind and push out.

I have 3 minis, all with the remote boxes and never had any problem with the shaft or bushes getting contaminated, although the arrangement does look a bit agricultural. The lower bush is actually inside the diff housing tail and remote casing, so very little chance if any contamination getting in there.

[bwaminispeed]

Up here in Canada, that shaft and the bushings (mostly the top one) take a real beating, with our harsh winters and lots of moisture.....The top inch and a half of the shaft, plus the spline rust quite badly, and cause lots of lost motion....

Most Mini owners don't even know, or, completely forget that there is even a grease nipple down there.....

Not such a problem nowadays, once rebuilt/restored, since they mostly don't get taken out in the bad stuff any more....

Thanks for the info on the bore step, saves me going out to the shed to check....

[OzOAP]

I fit 3/4 inch long bearings and machine diff housing to fit seals.
Have been doing this over the last 25 years, especially on historic rally cars.

[LuisM]

There is a step in the bore to limit how far the bushes can be inserted. The step is one reason why the bushes are a bit tricky to remove as there is not much of the old bush to get behind and push out.

i was taught by an old local BMC specialist to remove them with a large broken stud puller , he actually has a long rod tool with a stud puller at the end and can replace the bushes without removing engine.

cheers
Luis

[jerry]

Machined up two new bushes, 7/8" long. Pressed in, then seals pressed in. Should keep the crap out, and the grease in.

Jerry