I am having a very hard time not damaging these bushings when driving them in. I bought a Durabond brand bushing kit and I got started putting the reaction shaft bushings in. One went in ok, but the other started to mar up a little bit. I then test fitted the planetary gear and it binds a little bit. I honestly think nobody really bothers to change these especially the transmission shops. I really don’t want to spend 150 bucks for the tool kit. These things have got to be just like rod bearings in engines and I don’t went to mess them up . I guess they have a thin layer of Babbitt material I’m afraid to sand any nicks and cause a major failure down the road. Sorry for this rant, I have also enclosed a pic

 

Well sorry everyone for my complaining. I figured it all out I just went to autozone and found a driver set that I managed to use along with my harbor freight bushing set and almost got all the bushings done. I had some extra bushings from my transtar kit in addition to my Durabond kit. I guess I was driving the bushings in wrong.

1) I used shop towels to prevent marring on the outer chamfered edge of each bushing

2) Always use a driver size that has a flat edge that only hits only the chamfer

I hope I’m making any sense so maybe this will help other guys like me

 

A nice aluminum driver set would probly do the trick. Not too pricey either. Maybe try freezing the bushings before the install. Ive used dry ice to shrink up stuff like that, works real good

 

First of all, you want to replace everything when rebuilding a transmission not just what looks worn. You want to inspect hard parts were the bushings ride for wear. Another thing, get the tools needed. Invest in the bushing driver kit. I have the kit and it is needed. You also want to look closely at every bushing before you remove it so you can see how deep down it goes. That bushing is trash, and is way too deep in the reaction shaft causing the binding. Don't forget to put red threadlocker before driving it in. Smear some assembly lube before test fitting parts. What's the part number for that bushing kit? Babbit is no good.

 

I have really bad aim when using a hammer. So I bought a set of drivers specially sized for the bushings found in GM OD transmissions.

I still managed to do this:

 

This is the set I bought. Must have.

 

Good lord guys! I've done better driving them in with sockets, LOL! Tap lightly around in circles until it starts in straight. Of course, My MAC bushing driver set makes it a lot easier.

 

After installing the bushings. Place the part that the bushings ride on, and if it does not move smoothly. Take a "dead blow" hammer and hit the part while spinning it. This will push the bushing against the outer wall in the bore, and will smooth out any high spots. This should solve it.

 

Sorry everyone I haven’t replied I figured it out. I just used shop towels draped over the bushings to absorb some of the impact and sharp edges from the generic steel driver set I bought from autozone. I kind of been hopping around with the overall work I need to do with the transmission