Just got owned by a shifter bushing....

[Submarinesonce]

Can confirm, getting that ES bushing on was a massive PITA, I dropped the exhaust and driveshaft out of the way to get mine on, took every bit of force I could muster, but eventually went. lube is your friend.

[Hyper4mance2k]

I fussed with mine for exactly 10 minutes before I said, "be smarter than the bushing, Adrian." Some white lithium grease and an 18" pry-bar popped it right on.

[NRXRaptor]

I also was suffering putting it on for 5 minutes. Then, because I had taken high school chemistry, I decided to soak the bushing in hot water for a few minutes. Pretty much slipped right on. EZPZ

[silvarbullet]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Just to be clear, several mentioned heat, and grease. In my original post I mentioned boiling the mount, and using lots of grease. The mount didn't have any of the brass bushings in place yet.

The MTEC springs have done wonders for the feel of the shifter, so I'm content waiting till spring to give this another go. I didn't mention this previously, but what about dropping the driveshaft out of the rear of the transmission? I removed the front pipe and went to lower the driveshaft again but saw that it was going to just slide right out of the tranny and didn't want to mess with that. I'm sure its possible that some parts are free floating in there and could also come out (very bad).

I had thought of trying to find a clamp or gear puller as Spuds mentioned, if I find a better way to do it I'll make sure to update this post.....in the spring

[FirstWinter]

Originally Posted by silvarbullet

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Just to be clear, several mentioned heat, and grease. In my original post I mentioned boiling the mount, and using lots of grease. The mount didn't have any of the brass bushings in place yet.

The MTEC springs have done wonders for the feel of the shifter, so I'm content waiting till spring to give this another go. I didn't mention this previously, but what about dropping the driveshaft out of the rear of the transmission? I removed the front pipe and went to lower the driveshaft again but saw that it was going to just slide right out of the tranny and didn't want to mess with that. I'm sure its possible that some parts are free floating in there and could also come out (very bad).

I had thought of trying to find a clamp or gear puller as Spuds mentioned, if I find a better way to do it I'll make sure to update this post.....in the spring

If you're going to drop the driveshaft and still can't get it in then just take out the entire shifter carrier and install the bushing outside and reinstall. The driveshaft won't fall out by the way.

[NRXRaptor]

Originally Posted by FirstWinter

If you're going to drop the driveshaft and still can't get it in then just take out the entire shifter carrier and install the bushing outside and reinstall. The driveshaft won't fall out by the way.

He might be talking about the bracket thing that supports the driveshaft at its halfway point. I think it would give him more room to wiggle around and it is very easy to take out/put back in place. If I remember right, I think this car's driveshaft is bolted at the diff but slides into the transmission

[silvarbullet]

Originally Posted by FirstWinter

If you're going to drop the driveshaft and still can't get it in then just take out the entire shifter carrier and install the bushing outside and reinstall. The driveshaft won't fall out by the way.

The driveshaft wont slide out of the tranny? You sure? I let it move about 1" to 1.5" and it wasn't stopping. This is where the driveshaft goes into the rear of the transmission, I'm not talking about lowering the center section like they say to do in the DIY on this forum. With the driveshaft out of the way I'm 100% sure I could get it on, then I could actually get both of my meat hooks on it and just force it on.

I thought about removing the shifter carrier, but wasn't sure if what was involved in that.

[FirstWinter]

Originally Posted by silvarbullet

The driveshaft wont slide out of the tranny? You sure? I let it move about 1" to 1.5" and it wasn't stopping. This is where the driveshaft goes into the rear of the transmission, I'm not talking about lowering the center section like they say to do in the DIY on this forum. With the driveshaft out of the way I'm 100% sure I could get it on, then I could actually get both of my meat hooks on it and just force it on.

I thought about removing the shifter carrier, but wasn't sure if what was involved in that.

It might've been resting on my midpipe. It's been a while since I did it. I removed the bolts from the picture. It only slid out from the tranny a couple inches.

Edit: Looked at the process of removing the shifter carrier again and it's a pretty involved process requiring disconnecting the entire shifter. I would do this as a last resort if you can't install the shifter bushing but at that point I would probably just call it quits and have a beer lol

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by NRXRaptor

I also was suffering putting it on for 5 minutes. Then, because I had taken high school chemistry, I decided to soak the bushing in hot water for a few minutes. Pretty much slipped right on. EZPZ

Do this. I feel dumb not having done this.

I recommend drying then applying grease in quick succession before putting it on.

[silvarbullet]

Well it turns out the driveshaft will slip right out of the transmission, but thats ok. I just watched a video at FT86speedfactory about replacing your driveshaft. Just slide it out, and it can slide right back in. So I'll do that when I change my tranny fluid out with some nicer stuff. Get a two-fer.