Installing Aluminum Bushings

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/ jafromobile
This video illustrates multiple techniques that you can use as a combo attack to help you conquer this interference fit! There may be plenty more great tricks in the comments because astute gear heads know they're always welcome here! I have an extremely capable and creative audience! Thank you all for tuning in!
The GSX's subframe has been installed, but not without a modification that required extensive work and close attention to detail. Without the powder coating, all of the same preparations for the part to receive the bushings is still required.
The process of installing the bushings isn't by itself a difficult one, but does require appropriate attention to detail in advance of doing so.
I did this job without measuring or modifying the bushings because most other people probably won't. The bushings I selected were perfectly sized, and they fit correctly. That's a true testament to their quality, and Volk Metalcraft's attention to detail. I did not have to modify them for them to fit.
The process of pressing them in is difficult because of the size and shape of the part they're being pressed into. The tools that provide enough tonnage to do the work do not accommodate a 2g subframe very well at all. It's extremely awkward. Any single small error in 1) your rigging on the press, or 2) with the support of the rest of the subframe that extends outside of the press, or 3) not immediately recognizing a misalignment during the process, or 4) a part of the subframe coming in contact with the framework of the press while it's under load, or 5) overloading the part/press... all of this is capable of severely damaging your subframe. So 6) do all of the above.
None of this takes into account the condition of, or the potential defects that might be in your subframe like mine did have. If you get that bushing installation right, now you have to do it correctly 5 more times to complete this job. All it takes is one mistake. So be extremely careful.
Pressing in subframe bushings by yourself only makes it more difficult, but if you're using a stand like I showed, ensure that its height doesn't allow the press rigging to become mis-aligned. All of the parts between the press and the anvil must be perfectly level as the bushing is driven in. An extra set of hands and eyes would definitely have been good for me on the press, but I regret nothing. I have a great support system; in my shop, within my IRL circles and the brave warriors who support me on Patreon who know people love seeing new ways to get themselves out of a similar jam.
Now that this part is complete, the rest of this assembly is easy. Be on the lookout for the rest of the GSX suspension and steering assembly coming soon!

[@mr.cangieter8758]

Jafro is the G.O.A.T.

[@jetjazz05]

Jafro makes videos when something arises, and it's just like KZbin 15 years ago. To the point, helpful, it makes you feel like one passionate person is just sharing knowledge out of the kindness of their hearts as part of a community. That kind of vibe is 90% dead on all social media at this point lol. So refreshing to get a Jafro video, it's like a big steak after you'd been fed chickpea pasta for a month.

[@Jafromobile]

@@jetjazz05 Leave room for dessert!

[@Mih53]

I have been watching your videos for years Iam glad that you still make videos till this day thank for all your hard work

[@user-oz5yk9bm5c]

Jafro keeps coming out with these banger videos, sad to see so many people sleep on him.

[@meanman6992]

I don’t even have either of my DSM’s anymore but I’ll still watch a Jafro video in a heart beat lol! 16-37yr old I owned a DSM….. I miss’em some times…. Ultimately just a thing though, family > stuff

[@derx6666]

This indeed. I started watching Jafro when I still had my 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse G1 (non turbo unfortunately). I unfortunately crashed it, and life happened so instead of fixing it, I sold it as I had no room for storing it, or working on it. Still regret it.

[@christianallen9653]

What a wonderful Saturday

[@noisytim]

I’d trade my lathe for a Matt any time, to be honest. The re-heating trick for the powder coating is neat! I’m gonna have to work on some powder coated parts soon. I’m probably gonna scratch them. So knowing that i can try to make it pretty again is gold! Thank you, Jafro

[@Jafromobile]

It smooths the scratches! It won't necessarily remove them, but anything fine and ragged on the surface that makes the scratch obvious will melt down and hide a little. Don't make the coating bubble. That's why you keep rubbing it with the rag. Keep 'er stuck down! If I ever find a trick that works better, I promise I'll post it!

[@zaraak323i]

I always hate damaging sumpin' trying to fix sumpin' else! Great save.

[@Bevoin1970]

After a very long time no speak - 'Hello' and Greetings from England once again... 🙂

[@EvoSteve89]

another relaxing video to watch while eating dinner. love the content Jafro!! Please keep doing what you're doing :) i'd love to have you go thru my evo one day bumper to bumper lol

[@jackthatmonkey8994]

These videos are fantastic! Love it everytime. I usually watch them 2 or 3 times

[@John.strong]

I'd be keen to see more on the h22 that Matt was working on... but as always this is great content, and to think I've only been watching you since your 10th? video... just keeps getting better

[@talontsi92]

Great vid Jafro. Hopefully you get to bring something to the shootout this year in the trailer!

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Inverted duster is colder & quicker than any "freezer" that usually struggles to reach 0 degrees.

[@ksram5070]

Great work jafro, can't wait to see the gsx back on the road

[@WilliamDye-willdye]

Liquid nitrogen is pretty cheap, at least where I live. It's a lot more dangerous to handle than dry ice, but we used it at work for years with no major accidents.

[@tangles01]

Oh boy, my cricket match cancelled due to rain... Now I get to watch this instead. Ohhh There is no greater criticism then that of your own when you mess something up you know you could have done better. Glad to see you share the lesson, so we can learn it the hard way with you instead of the hardest way on our own.

[@Wolfpack310]

You can use angle grinder to make groves on a bolt and than use same bolt too clean threads. The dirt goes in the groves that you just made on the bolt. If you don't have the proper thread chaser do it like this it helps every time

[@aussiebloke609]

I wonder if using dielectric grease will help reduce the amount of dissimilar metal corrosion you get from aluminium bushings into bare steel bosses?

[@Jafromobile]

It would cost about the same in the long run. The aluminum will absorb heat from the room so quickly that you'd need several cans to actually get it one bushing that cold. But on thin metals like body work, it's fantastic!

[@amden01]

Jafro for president!

[@zac2384]

Shout out Matt

[@tunepatrol]

It's rare but powdercoaters sometimes take the time to line holes that don't need coating with Kapton tape and that saves time and hassle later.

[@Jafromobile]

That's a brand new toolbox only used for new, clean engine part storage. The drawers are labeled with parts group numbers representing the contents. :)

[@tunepatrol]

@@Jafromobile Did you reply to the wrong comment :-) ? I was saying that the subframe holes where the alu bushes were going could have been taped up with heat resistant Kapton tape which would have prevented the powdercoat from sticking in there.

[@Jafromobile]

4 of my comments did that yesterday, and I'm sure I replied to the correct people. Dang sentinels must have found me!

[@Jafromobile]

@@tunepatrol ...and to reply to your original comment, I shot a scene last night specifically addressing this. Literally thinking of your post while shooting it because I know many others thought the same thing. I didn't tell Justin I was using aluminum bushings, so he did the right thing with all the information he had. He could have done that, yes, and in most cases where needed, he did.

[@eugennomatterr7311]

for deep freeze add ethanol to dry ice, it gives great heat transfer and you can really get part to -60C, rule of thumb 1 thou of shrink for 10 degrees difference, also heat receiving part. Heat works both ways Anything on thread screw torque setting which usually set dry. Adding anti seize lovers friction and for needed torque bolt gets really over tightened, TTC added motor oil and got twice clamping force from bolt for a given torque value.

[@jetjazz05]

Alluminum holy smokes. I didn't performance modify my suspension really, but at the time 12 years ago aftermarket poly bushings were cheaper than oem ones so I replaced, loved what it did for the handling of my car (a saab). They made alluminum ones, I'd assume with that ammount of rigidity you can feel pebbles on the road through the wheel lol, must be nuts.

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Thank you for the video.

[@blargblarghonk]

Dry ice for press fit parts. I haven't done it on bushing but it works fine for cold hammer forged steel into hammer forged steel with a .002 fit. Nevermind. Saw you went that route.

[@grenvillephillips6998]

And, not a gumption trap detected - that's what makes it awesome!

[@carpetbomberz]

17:40, I have to say this is my favorite bit (I lie, they are all my favorites), but I remember Clean Room I at the house, attempting to address all ills on the engine blocks as they sat rusting. Experiments with glyptal, etc. It all was much better in a clean room (with brake cleaner and coffee filters!). And 23:00 Sad, most of us _DON'T_ have a Matt. We probably don't deserve a Matt. 😒

[@dustylandrum5168]

I am not sure if its because I post the link to the website, my post gets deleted, but dudes custom parts makes a POM bushing set that is waaay more forgiving than the volk solid ones. For anyone driving the car on the street, the aluminum ones are going to pass every single thing through to the chassis. Hope to see you again at shootout Jafro.

[@Jafromobile]

I assure you, I do not have a problem with ANYTHING that ever gets posted in my comments. I wish people could even post memes in here. I am not the gatekeeper of any speech.

[@dustylandrum5168]

Nah, I was thinking KZbin was doing it, not you.@@Jafromobile

[@norevlimitr1602]

So in hindsight do you think it would have been better to press the bushings in before powder coating?

[@kiiiisu]

dont worry, painted my mc helmet and instatly scartched it for frog snacks! then was putting lacquer on carbon fiber visor i made and had some hick up and blasted lots on one spot huge run outs.....for frog snacks! o well good from 3 feet away!

[@jeromelevesque8330]

Why your tools box is like "encastred" in the plastic film wall ?

[@M074503]

Volk Metal Craft! 🤘

[@benoconnor884]

Jafro, you kept mentioning your concerns about corrosion - why are you not concerned about the corrosion that is going to occur from the aluminium bush and bare steel frame being in contact with each other? Speaking from experience, these bushings are only going to be in there for a few years in ideal dry conditioned before they start to corrode badly. 7000 and 6000 series aluminiums are the worst for it and in some cases even zinc or copper paste wont even stop the corrosion from these two being in contact with eachother

[@tomasbeblar5639]

I feel like my DSM is falling apart and I don't have the Jafro skills to keep it from the scrappers :(

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Googled. Duster= -60F Dry Ice= -78F

[@malloymotorsports780]

aircraft stripper and a q-tip will sort those hole in about 15 mins

[@ElmarDylong]

Powder coating is best removed by scraping. A triangular scraper is the right tool for this job. Grinding tools get gummed up and become useless pretty fast.

[@MH-pe8wj]

2160 Damb

[@nameboy3486]

I never question what you do I tell people you could build an engine watching these videos but why not powder coat after the bushings were in clearly that are never being removed

[@nameboy3486]

Okay put this before the video was finished and you just addressed it so thank you for always being clear and distributing useful info

[@goodkill1]

My freezer gets to -30F

[@JacobAndrewRowe]

Liquid nitrogen

[@inthenose9033]

Jafro. Your car just lost about 40% of it's original luxury by replacing rubber with metal. Are you trying to gain 0.1 of a second around a track?

[@ro63rto]

21:45 😉

[@inthenose9033]

@@ro63rto One can get poly bushings made to any size, even in my backward country.😉