The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Okie bushings

Can anyone tell me who is selling okie bushings (in stock) these days?

Nevermind - I found one on Chevs of the 40s.

1951 3100

Me too, but, after ordering it online, I got a phone call saying it may be a month before they get any. Which is fine with me, cause I'm a long long way from needing it anyway. But I like to do one project at a time, (front end complete, engine complete, rear end complete, etc.), before I start on another.

And, being in somewhat of the supply business (commercial sales) most all my life, how many manufacturers are there out there making these? I figure you're kinda at whoever's mercy on a part like this. There can't be that many folks making these.

Mike

Well Mike, you were right. I am still looking for a supplier of an okie bushing who actually has the item in stock. It seems to be a seller's market.

Here I am with the removal tool but no bushing.

Karl

I drilled the correct size hole in the end of the bushing that was already in the tube, threaded it 10-24, screwed a 10-24 sockethead capscrew in it, and used my slide hammer gently, and the old bushing came right out. I saw no way to slide/install/stick anything beyond the bushing to get the old one out. There's hardly any room between it and the prop shaft to get anything with any leverage up in there. I did see the removal tool offered, but I'm all about innovation. I had no slop or slack in what was already in the tube, but I'm doing a complete restore, and I sure didn't want to have to pull all of this apart down the road to repair a leak or a vibration when I have the entire rear end out from under the truck sitting on stands where I can get to it.

Mike

Vintage auto parts in Denver Co is a major supplier of okies. I spoke with them yesterday about when they may ship the next batch and was told about 1 month also.
Seems like everyone is out of stock right now.

There must have been a fire in the bushing factory.

I would venture to say that VAP may be one of the only, if not
THE only, folks that make them. That's speculation on my part, but, what do suppose the demand is? For us restoring or repairing, the demand is high as we need it/want it right now.
How many you suppose are sold/ordered a month? Probably not that many.

Mike

Here is a link: http://www.vapinc.com/chevy/Universal%20Joints%20and%20Parts/main.html
I know it is for the "U" joint, but contact information can be had from them. I too think these are the vendor for most other parts places. Nice foks to work with.

Try here, I just bought one from them. I was surprised when it arrived. Is it possible it's wrong size?

http://www.classicparts.com/1940-50-Drive-Shaft-Bushing-Seal/productinfo/92-011/#.V1bFG5ErKhe

Depends on what year you are needing it for. Chevysofthe40s has three different ones, all with three different dimensions, depending on the year span. I assume you ordered/received the correct year span. From what I see, 1940-1950 used a certain size, 1951-1954 used another size, and those earlier than 1940 used another size. Most probably the OD of the bushing being different. CP shows the same thing. As long as you got the one for your year truck, it should fit. Mine is a 1951, so I get to wait until they get mine in.

Mike

PEV,

As Mike posted:

What year/size truck/drive-train (and year torque-tube) on your truck?

Let me add this....having rebuilt engines and transmissions and rear-ends and all of that, learned from round track days, the info needed on this torque tube, I got straight from Stovebolt.com.

I remember when I got this truck home back in January, I called the guy who built our race engines for years. He's forgotten more than most will know in a lifetime. I was telling him about this drive shaft design, and how I had never seen anything like this. He busted out laughing, and then he explained what it was.
He also said to research it, cause he was sure they made some kind of replacement seal/bushing for it.

So what did I do? Went to Stovebolt.com, and searched. And now I know.

Mike