While I have my case and countershaft in the shop having new bearings pressed in, I thought I'd tear down the tailhousing and clean it up.

Now while I think I can pop off the rear seal and replace it, I'm not sure about the bushing. I had the bushing replaced about 6-7 years ago so it's not the original one- and at the time the transmission shop didn't think the original was worn, but they replaced it anyway (I took the car in because the tranny was leaking oil.... turns out that it was leaking at the speedo gear housing).

My question- do these bushings wear fast enough to warrent replacement, especially if the bushing isn't the original one?

 

Slide your driveshaft yoke into the back of the trans and see how much play you have. But since you have it out, it's cheap to replace now rather than later. With a bad bushing the rear seal will leak, so for good measure it wouldn't hurt to replace it and the rear seal. Usually a new bushing comes in the rebuld kit along with everything else.

If it were me since you already have the trans apart, it's a no brainer. I'd replace it without hesitation.

 

Yea I've been looking at it and I think I can get it out too if I can find a length of plastic pipe that I can use as a drift. It does show a little wear so I think it'd be worth the attempt.