GlassTop09
Senior Member
Yeah when I did mine was after I had installed the BMR Adj UCA w\ BMR 3-hole Mounting Bracket (in the process of doing this is when I noted the axle bushing was also in poor shape....harder to see when the OEM UCA was still mounted to it). Had got all the necessary tools to cut the rubber center out & clean out the shell but it never crossed my mind that I may need to make a tool to help press this into the shell so I fought getting this part into the shell for well over 3 1/2 hrs. Was a little concerned that I may had ruined the bushing insert some when I took off approx. 1\32" off the dia of the piece to the right in your picture above as that part is the 1 that installs on the small side of the shell but after "testing" all out afterwards all seems to be working well (even on a 5,000 RPM clutch dump off a dig the rear end is rock steady w\ absolutely no wheel hop at all & car tracks straight w\ no fishtailing).I was in this position at one time putting my BMR bushing in. Could not force it in there.
I found out something pretty amazing though. If I remember correctly I think I solved this issue by inserting the bushing from the other side. I think it was 10 times easier. I actually like the design as the actual bushing expands when you torque it down. Here is what I put together to press the bushing into the sleeve. I think I had two different length bolts. One to get her started and the other to get it all the way in but in hindsight the longer one with more threads would have worked.
Will look into making a simple tool to use to help press in these inserts going forward...…….. Appreciate the pictures!
After subbing to this forum & reading up I ran across a thread where it was reported that to retain some of the articulation of the rear axle & reduce torsional forces on the UCA (especially these adjustable ones) is to retain the stock OEM rear axle bushing. I can see where this makes sense so I check my setup fairly frequently to ensure that the adjuster in the UCA hasn't come loose (I used some blue LockTite on the threads where the 2 adjuster lock nuts would bind against the 2 end pieces to hold them in place after I set the UCA instantaneous center angle & pinion angle....so far all is holding up OK w\ no signs of loosening or fatigue) thus why I was looking for the tools to R\R a whole rear axle UCA bushing.
I was hoping that the 07-14 GT500's used a harder durometer version of this OEM bushing but found out recently that all S197's use the exact same OEM rear axle UCA bushing so nothing to be gained from that over OEM outside of going to these aftermarket insert bushings unless you opt for the spherical bushings, depending on the kit, as some of these are designed to rotate inside a socket to retain rear axle articulation but not allow any forward\rearward torque flexing.
So now I'm looking at using the Prothane kit on the next changeout as an alternative...…...