Emmons PP bushing replacement

Peter Freiberger · From: California, USA

Esteemed Steel Heads,

My B pedal cross shaft is moving around in the front bushing on my '76 D10 PP. All the others seem fine and the B pedal cross shaft works fine in other bushings. The bushing looks like it's pressed in. How can I safely remove it and replace it with either a new one (and where do I source that?)or can I pull one of the unused ones at the other end of the guitar and use it?

Thanks in advance,

Peter Freiberger

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

The bushing is a plated brass bass tuner bushing and I have never been able to find identical replacements anywhere. You can easily find plated steel ones, and some that feel like aluminum, but not those old heavy ones.
Use a dull knife and work your way under the edges of the unused bushings down at the changer end -- pedal ten or nine depending on the age of your Emmons. It is just a press fit with flocking stuck around the bushing.
I will take all the bushings you don't want.
I cannot imagine that your bushing will have worn out, though. Do you really mean that the bushing hole is worn too large? Or is the cross shaft moving in and out?

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Sorry I forgot to mention this, but a new replacement made of lighter materials may be found at Stew Mac or probably the repair guy at the local music store. He may have bass tuner bushings left over from changing the tuners on a bass and not using the replacement bushings that often come with tuner sets.

Peter Freiberger · From: California, USA

The cross shaft is moving around in the bushing. The bushing doesn't appear to be loose. It seems to be worn oval. I can put a dental pick in and feel the back of the bushing but not pry it out. Maybe a stouter pick type tool would do it and not mar the wood around the bushing?

I'll check my box of old Fender bass stuff for a tuner bushing but I suspect it would be a longshot to find one the same size.

Thanks,

Peter

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

I really suggest the dull knife route -- think flexible knife that you can put a bend in so it won't marr the maple apron or the flocking. Ssometimes the bushings are easy to get out. I have had a couple I have given up on.

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

Hi Peter,

It might be wise to direct this question to a steel guitar re-build guru, like Mike Cass.

Lynn Stafford · From: Ridgefield, WA USA

Peter,

I have bought these from Emmons in the past. Maybe they still have some in stock. Ron and Rebecca say they still have lots of PP parts. Otherwise, I'd just do as Chris suggested about your idea of using the unused one down by the changer. No guru is really required to change out one of these bushings, just go for it. Good luck Very Happy

_________________
Best regards,
Lynn Stafford

STEEL GUITAR WEST
http://www.steelguitarwest.com
Steel Guitar Technician (Restoration, Set-up, Service and Repair work)

Previous Emmons Authorized Dealer & Service Technician (original factory is now closed)

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Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

Chris Lucker is on the Guru list that I have. Smile

Jerry

Roger Shackelton · From: MINNESOTA (deceased)

Sorry guys, I just referred to Mike Cass, since Mike and I are former Minnesotans. Smile

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Hey, Roger, I am formerly from Mercer Island and still go to Aqua Frogs games!

Mike Cass is a good choice. He knows far more about PPs than I ever will. I can rebuild a push pull in my sleep, but I wish I could make a push pull bloom the way Mike can.
I am sure it is Mike Cass who gave me the tip about removing the bushings and where they came from.

Peter Freiberger · From: California, USA

Thanks a million, esteemed PP gurus! I'll give the dull knife a try and let you know how it works. If that doesn't work another friend suggested an EZ Out. What do you think?

Peter

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

If the dental pick doesn't work, you may need to call in an oral surgeon.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

I wouldn't use any method that will make the bushing turn. It is a press fit into the apron and the outside diameter of the bushing is ribbed. Making the bushing turn will enlarge the hole the bushing is pressed into and create a new problem for you.

Peter Freiberger · From: California, USA

No luck on removing either bush with the dull knife method. I can get a razor blade in there but have no leverage to pull the bush out. Although it's bugging me now and offensive to my obsessive/compulsive nature, I hadn't actually noticed it before disassembly, so I think I'll try reassembling the guitar and see if there's anything noticeable. It won't be that hard to get back at if I have to try again.

richard burton · From: Britain

If the bush is has been factory-fitted so that it is flush at the surface, and not bottomed out in the drilled hole in the wood, there might be a gap at the bottom of the bush to get a small hook in.

Chris Lucker · From: Los Angeles, California USA

Try this: Get a two inch long or so round head screw with a head that just fits into the bushing, Grind some of the slop head off to lower the profile so that you can put the screw into the bushing head first, move it to the side, and feel it lodge on the rim of the bushing. Cut an inch long piece of tobe -- like copper gas line or anything 5/8ths or 3/4 -- anything handy -- even a piece of 1 x 2 pine with a half inch hole drilled through it. Place this tube or piece of pine so the screw pokes through. Place a wide washer or a piece of sturdy flat metal with a hole through it just laege enough for the scew to fit through. Now, twist on a wing nut or any nut. Keep turning so you are withdrawing the screw. The bushing will come along.

Peter Freiberger · From: California, USA

Good idea. Thanks. I may try it when I inevitably tear the guitar apart again, but interestingly when I got it back together yesterday the odd bushing was un-noticable. It seems that it's oval-ed from side to side and the pedal pulling vertically shows no effect. Still, it's not perfect and I'll get to it in time. Right now I want to play it and start getting into the C6.

Pete

Jerry Roller · From: Van Buren, Arkansas USA

For some reason my mind often drifts to this thread even when I am away from the computer. I have tried to think of ways to try. I think if you can find a metal screw that is just slightly larger than the bushing so that it would not take a lot of twist to screw into the bushing (so as not to turn the bushing in the hole) as far as you can cutting very shallow threads without bottoming out and doing damage to the front apron. You would then have something to pull on to pull the bushing out. You might grind off the very tip of the screw and it might take some searching for just the right size screw, but with the right screw I bet it would work. This would be after the other methods fail if they do.
Extreme method #2: Use a Q tip dipped in a strong degreaser such as lacquer thinner and thoroughly clean the inside of the bushing, use a sharp tool to scratch and score the inside of the bushing, rough it up all you can, carefully cut a piece of plastic or cardboard that will fit in the bottom of the hole or pack a very small amount of cotton it the bottom, (this is to keep from sticking to the apron) fill the hole with JB Weld and stick a screw in it. When it sets up you have a "handle" to remove the bushing with. Of course this is to remove the worn bushing and no help with getting a replacement out.
Try everything else first.
Jerry

Jim Palenscar · From: Oceanside, Calif, USA

I use Chris's way and substitute a small 5/8" socket for the tubing

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