Hi Randy,

I've only done one tailshaft bushing, so I can't comment on the chances, but I know mine came off in quite usable condition, and I felt very much unrewarded by the hour or better of aching arms cleaning that good gasket off. It is the pressure of having that brand new one at your side. Don't give in to it (Paul).

The center bearing was not even in my thoughts when I did the tailshaft repair. Neither was dropping the entire driveshaft, although you know I used to post about screwing a zerk fitting in those u-joints (without dropping the shaft) and forcing some (probably incompatible) grease inside. I've no data to report the effects of that either. Last center bearing I changed, I played with the old one, a 278K experienced one, almost old enough to get served in a bar. The carrier shield crumbled instantly. Maybe what I glean from this is, have one at the ready if you try the squirt technique and it does disintegrate. A drift punch is really all you need to remove and replace. No fancy press.

I might see another soon, as my youngest called me yesterday to report a high pitched whistling noise, tracking her speed, on the expressway. It is a 91, so it isn't her loose windshield trim!

PS, Paul, there's another current thread on the bushing replacement with some of my pics in one of the replies. I'll save the bandwidth for now.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes."
-Mahatma Gandhi