pins and bushes

[Mike K]

Which is the harder metal? I bought all bushes and pins from Digbits ( thanks for link Muz) for my 801.4 and found that by just replacing the pins ( the easy bit)everything seems much tighter. Should I have done the bushes as well and what is likely to wear first the pin or the bush?

[Locofitter]

Depends on how much wear you have in the bushes, if there's still slop you'll wear both down rather quickly.
Bushes should ideally be changed as well, they won't wear very quick at all if greased every XX hours.

Bushes are likely to wear first, material depending.

[Muz]

Which is the harder metal? ......... and what is likely to wear first the pin or the bush?

Depends on the metal types and hardness, I have some pins that will drill easily, and others that wont, both for the same machine. It just depends on where they came from and what material they are made from and hardness. If both materials are similar, you would expect roughly a 50% wear rate to each component. If your pins are softer than the bushes however, they may have worn more rapidly, and simply by replacing them alone you may have removed 65% of the visible play for example. I would be surprised if there was no wear to the bushes however, and doing both together will return the machine to its production state where there is literally 'no' play what so ever, which I have done many times, only to then try and put some buckets back on, and discover that some wont fit because the bucket head stocks are slightly out of alignment due to wear and useage however, some beating and persuation soon resolved that.

[Mike K]

Thanks Locofitter and Muz much appreciated- I will have a think but I am considering leaving them for the mo , the pins had worn but because new ones went back virtually tight I am thinking that the pins were softer on my machine. I know its not the best plan but the first sign of play and I will do the bushes as well but do you reckon l will probably need some specialist press equipment?

[Locofitter]

Presses do make the job easier. In the past I've used some round bar that is a nice fit on the bore and bashed that with a club hammer to get bushes out.
Also used an impact socket to bash it out, but that was in dire need... Still, both ways got the job done without scoring is internal diameter of the bore. Just felt like my arm was dragging on the floor for the next few days

[Muz]

Once mine are needing replaced, there's only one way they will come out and its with a burner, I cut a thin line through them and then as locofitter suggests, a close fitting round bar to knock them out the rest of the way as they slightly collapse. Mine are usually so worn its they only way to get them out, but you have to be careful not to burn/ gouge the boss they are mounted in whist doing it as mentioned, although a wee score here and there wont hurt, as knocking in the new bush flattens that out again Sounds like you have hard bushes though

[Mike K]

thank you both again for the advice. best wishes. Mike