[CJSuhr]

I'm wanting to press a bushing into a universal mower wheel, so it will last longer. The bushing I have is 3/4" OD, 1/2" ID, and 1-5/8" long. What size drill bit will I need? 3/4", 47/64" 23/32", 46/64"...? I want it to be a nice tight fit. I include a drill bit size chart for reference. Thanks for the help!

 

[wwxx]

Probably depends...what your bushing material is, if it is flanged, & what your wheel is made of. Lots of wheels these days are plastic, and there are stamped sheet metal wheels, both have a lot of 'give' for a tight rebush, a third type might be made of aluminum.

Although the stamped sheet metal ones are usually 'formed' in the hub area, to help hold bushings in each side of the wheel, and if you just 'drill it'...losing that 'factory formed hub', it won't take much of a load before breaking...unless you tack weld the bushings (both sides) to the stamped steel wheel. It is probably best to have a long bushing that will reach from one side to the other of the wheel, this generally gives the stamped steel wheel additional support from caving in, due to occasional heavy side loads. Tack weld both sides if possible for even greater strength.

If it really must be tightly installed I guess one size smaller than 3/4 is probably good enough,..... hard to say depending on your load, if it will truly be long lasting.

wwxx

 

[Yard Nazi]

Good morning! I have installed bronze bushings in a number of Lawnboy plastic triangle wheels. The bushings I used were 5/8 O.D. x 1/2 I.D. x 1 1/8 L and were from my local Farm and Fleet. I ran into a couple of problems as have a few others who have done this. Trying to keep the drill bit on center is probably the biggest issue. I used a small drill press and just held the wheel as best as I could. Unless you are drilling one for a capstan drive, being off center just a bit should not be a problem and should not even be noticable when mowing. The first wheels I did were with a 5/8 bit and the bushings slipped in without pressing. May have just been the fact that plastic sometimes drills funny. I ended up using some JB Weld to secure the bushings. The next set I did I purchased a 39/64 bit and that has worked perfectly. Nice snug fit inside the wheel. I would use a caliper to make sure of the exact O.D. of the bushings you are going to use. If you drill then too big then you need to secure them with some adhesive. If you can find a donor wheel to practice on you can check the fit before doing the regular set. Bill

Also wondered why you were using a 3/4 O.D. bushing with a 1/2 I.D. That's a lot of material to remove.

 

[CJSuhr]

Good morning! I have installed bronze bushings in a number of Lawnboy plastic triangle wheels. The bushings I used were 5/8 O.D. x 1/2 I.D. x 1 1/8 L and were from my local Farm and Fleet. I ran into a couple of problems as have a few others who have done this. Trying to keep the drill bit on center is probably the biggest issue. I used a small drill press and just held the wheel as best as I could. Unless you are drilling one for a capstan drive, being off center just a bit should not be a problem and should not even be noticable when mowing. The first wheels I did were with a 5/8 bit and the bushings slipped in without pressing. May have just been the fact that plastic sometimes drills funny. I ended up using some JB Weld to secure the bushings. The next set I did I purchased a 39/64 bit and that has worked perfectly. Nice snug fit inside the wheel. I would use a caliper to make sure of the exact O.D. of the bushings you are going to use. If you drill then too big then you need to secure them with some adhesive. If you can find a donor wheel to practice on you can check the fit before doing the regular set. Bill



Also wondered why you were using a 3/4 O.D. bushing with a 1/2 I.D. That's a lot of material to remove.

Thanks for the reply. I'm trying to make some loose plastic drive wheels tight again. The first bushing I found were 3/4 od, I might just buy some 5/8 od instead, and get a 39/64 bit.

 

[mla2ofus]

Why not just drill it to size and loctite it?
Mike

 

[CJSuhr]

Why not just drill it to size and loctite it?

Mike

That's probably what I'll have to do. I already ordered the 3/4 bushing and a 3/4 drill bit before I asked this question.

 

[Yard Nazi]

Are these gear drive or capstan drive wheels? Keep in mind the drive wheels will be much more critical in getting the hole centered so the drive works correctly. Also not sure which wheels you are doing but the less material you can remove to install a bushing the stronger the center hub will remain, hence the question about the 3/4 versus 5/8. Bill

 

[CJSuhr]

Are these gear drive or capstan drive wheels? Keep in mind the drive wheels will be much more critical in getting the hole centered so the drive works correctly. Also not sure which wheels you are doing but the less material you can remove to install a bushing the stronger the center hub will remain, hence the question about the 3/4 versus 5/8. Bill

I see yes. It's gear drive, the normal apy/craftsman drive wheels, with the plastic ring gear on the inside of the wheel.

 

[CJSuhr]

Does anyone know here I can get a 1/2" ID, 5/8" OD, and 1-5/8" Long bushing.
Can be steel, brass, spanner bushing...

 

[Yard Nazi]

My local Farm and Fleet has the bronze bushings in the 5/8 by 1/2. I think the ones I bought were 1 1/8 but they may have different sizes. If you have a farm store nearby or a well stocked hardware store you should be able to find something there. Bill