One function of that bushing is to keep the driveshaft from whipping around inside the torque tube. If your truck has a standard transmission, that oakie bushing also keeps the tranny oil from leaking down the tube and over filling the rear end. If your tranny is staying full of oil and your rear end is not overflowing then your oakie bushing is OK.

To replace it you do not need to pull the rear end. You can unhook the bell behind the tranny and drop the U joint. The downward force of the rear springs will drop the end of the tube down and out of the way of the back of the tranny. The end of the torque tube will be exposed. You can drive a new bushing in and drive the old one back. I personally like the idea of removing the old one first.

Keep an eye on the oil levels in your tranny and rear differential. If it ain't broke don't fix it..

[ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: 53 4 me ]

Bill M
53 GMC Hydra-Matic

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