Method and Tools for Installation a Transmission Shift Cable End Bushing

Abstract

Installation of a bushing into the shift cable end of an automatic transmission, without replacing the entire shift cable end, is accomplished via methods and specialized tools that do not require the use of compression tools, or divert the force applied by compressive tools away from the non-load-bearing surfaces of the bushing and shift cable end, and maintain the axial alignment of the bushing with the shift cable end during installation, thus preventing deformation of the shift cable end and bushing during installation, and ensuring the proper coupling of the shift cable end and shift lever. In particular embodiments, a shift cable end protective member is secured to the shift cable end, a bushing installation member is inserted into the bushing, through the shift cable end and into the protective member, and a compressive force is applied simultaneously to the protective member and installation member, thus pressing the bushing into place within the shift cable end. The protective member and installation member work in tandem to divert the compressive force away from the shift cable end, average the compressive force across the bushing, and maintain the alignment of the bushing with the shift cable end as the bushing is pressed into the shift cable end. In other embodiments, the bushing may be installed by hand without the use of a compression tool by utilizing an installation member carrying a compression cavity that allows for the compression of the bushing by hand. The installation member is passed through the shift cable end and removed, allowing the bushing to expand into place within the shift cable end.

1 . An apparatus for installation of a bushing into the shift cable end of an automatic transmission, said shift cable end having a coupling aperture extending through the shift cable end for coupling with the transmission shift lever, said coupling aperture carrying a mounting aperture, said bushing having a sleeve carrying a leading and trailing shoulder, said apparatus comprising:
 a force-diverting means for diverting a compressive force away from the coupling aperture;   a force-averaging means attached to said force-diverting means for averaging a compressive force across the bushing; and   an alignment means attached to said force-diverting and force-averaging means for axially aligning the bushing with the coupling aperture and mounting aperture.   
     
     
         2 . A transmission shift cable end bushing installation tool for installation of a bushing into a transmission shift cable end, said shift cable end having a coupling aperture extending through the shift cable end for coupling with the transmission shift lever or gear lever, said coupling aperture carrying a mounting aperture, said bushing having a sleeve carrying a leading and trailing shoulder for engaging each side of the mounting aperture, said bushing installation tool comprising:
 an alignment means for aligning the bushing with the shift cable end coupling aperture and mounting aperture during installation, said alignment means comprising an alignment member having a first side and a second side, and sized to fit through the shift cable end mounting aperture;   a compression means for compressing the leading shoulder of the bushing to fit through and beyond the shift cable end mounting aperture, said compression means housed within the first side of said alignment member;   a removal means for removing the bushing installation tool from the shift cable end after the leading shoulder of the bushing has passed through and beyond the mounting aperture, thereby allowing the leading shoulder of the bushing to expand and engage the mounting aperture, said removal means attached to the second side of the alignment member;   
     
     
         3 . A transmission shift cable end bushing installation tool as in  claim 2 , wherein the alignment member is a cylindrical member of a diameter less than the diameter of the shift cable end mounting aperture. 
     
     
         4 . A transmission shift cable end bushing installation tool as in  claim 2 , wherein the bushing compression means comprises a cylindrical cavity in the first side of the alignment member of a depth greater than the longitudinal length of the leading shoulder of the bushing, wherein the leading shoulder of the bushing is pressed into the cylindrical cavity and radially compressed to a diameter less than the diameter of the mounting aperture, thereby allowing the bushing to pass through and beyond the shift cable end mounting aperture. 
     
     
         5 . A transmission shift cable end bushing installation tool as in  claim 2 , wherein the removal means is comprised of an elongated member extending perpendicularly from the second side of the alignment member, said elongated member including a gripping means for gripping and pulling on the elongated member, thereby removing the alignment member from the shift cable end coupling aperture. 
     
     
         6 . A transmission shift cable end bushing installation tool as in  claim 2 , wherein the bushing installation tool is made of polypropylene. 
     
     
         7 . A transmission shift cable end bushing installation tool as in  claim 5 , wherein the gripping means is comprised of indentations on opposing sides of the elongated member. 
     
     
         8 . A method for installing a bushing into a transmission shift cable end, said shift cable end having a coupling aperture extending through the shift cable end for coupling with the shift lever or gear lever, said coupling aperture carrying a mounting aperture, said bushing having a sleeve carrying a leading and trailing shoulder for engaging each side of the mounting aperture, said method comprising:
 pressing the leading shoulder of the bushing into a bushing installation tool by hand, wherein the leading shoulder of the bushing is compressed, thereby allowing it to pass through the mounting aperture;   inserting said bushing installation tool into the shift cable end coupling aperture, wherein the leading shoulder of the bushing extends through and beyond the mounting aperture and the trailing shoulder of the bushing engages the mounting aperture;   pulling said bushing installation tool from the shift cable end coupling aperture, thereby releasing the leading shoulder of the bushing so that it expands to engage the mounting aperture and secures the bushing in the shift cable end.   
     
     
         9 . A method as in  claim 8 , comprising using a bushing installation tool having a cylindrical member with a first side and a second side and a diameter less than the diameter of the mounting aperture, a bushing compression means within the first side of the cylindrical member, said bushing compressing means comprising a cylindrical cavity of a depth equal to the longitudinal length of the leading shoulder of the bushing, and a pulling means attached to the second side of the cylindrical member, said pulling means comprising an elongated member extending perpendicularly from the second side of said cylindrical member, said elongated member carrying a gripping means;
 pressing the leading shoulder of the bushing into the compression means of the bushing installation tool;   inserting the bushing installation tool into the shift cable end coupling aperture such that the pulling means is inserted first, followed by the cylindrical member, wherein the leading shoulder of the bushing extends through and beyond the mounting aperture and the trailing shoulder of the bushing engages the mounting aperture;   pulling said bushing installation tool from the shift cable end coupling aperture by engaging the pulling means, thereby removing the compression means from the leading shoulder of the bushing and allowing the leading shoulder of the bushing to radially expand to engage the mounting aperture and secure the bushing within the shift cable end.   
     
     
         10 . A method as in  claim 8  comprising using a bushing that is more compressible than the original bushing, said bushing having a fitting mechanism in the leading shoulder of the bushing, thereby allowing the bushing to be pressed into the bushing installation tool and installed more readily without the use of a compression tool. 
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 8  comprising using a bushing having a fitting mechanism comprised of several compression notches spaced evenly around the leading shoulder of the bushing, whereby the compression notches collapse inward as the leading shoulder of the bushing is pressed into the bushing installation tool and installed. 
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 8  comprising using a bushing having a fitting mechanism comprised of four triangular compression notches spaced evenly around the leading shoulder of the bushing, wherein the triangular compression notches collapse as the leading shoulder of the bushing is pressed into the bushing installation tool and installed. 
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 9  comprising using a bushing installation tool made of polypropylene. 
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 10  wherein the bushing is made of polyurethane. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for installation of a bushing into a shift cable end, said shift cable end having a connecting member that connects the shift cable end to the shift cable, a coupling aperture extending through the shift cable end for coupling with the shift lever or gear lever, a semi-spherical member extending longitudinally from its rear surface, said semi-spherical member including a concentric aperture forming a spherical cap, a mounting aperture carried in the coupling aperture, said mounting aperture having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, said bushing having a sleeve dimensioned to fit inside the mounting aperture carrying an inner annular member and having a leading and trailing shoulder for engaging each sidewall of the mounting aperture, comprising:
 a shift cable end protective means for diverting a compressive force away from the semi-spherical member of the bushing to the rear surface of the bushing;   a force-averaging means for averaging a compressive force across the trailing shoulder of the bushing;   wherein the shift cable end protective means is engaged by the force-averaging means to maintain the axial alignment of the bushing with the longitudinal axis of the shift cable end coupling aperture.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as in  claim 15  wherein said shift cable end protective means comprises a shift cable end seating member having a first side and a second side, said shift cable end seating member having a securing means attached to its first side for securing on to one end of the shift cable end, a gripping means for gripping onto the shift cable end connecting member, a force-diverting means for diverting a compressive force away from the semi-spherical member and to the rear surface of the shift cable end, said force-diverting means comprising a cavity within the first side of the seating member, said cavity sized to house the semi-spherical member, and an alignment means, said alignment means comprising an alignment sleeve centered around the longitudinal axis of the cavity within the first side of the seating member, said alignment sleeve extending to the second side of the seating member, said alignment sleeve carrying a guiding surface for guiding a bushing installation member into the alignment sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as in  claim 15  wherein said shift cable end protective means is comprised of a cylindrical member having a first side and a second side, a peripheral annular surface of diameter greater than the outer diameter of the shift cable end extending longitudinally from the first side of the cylindrical member, said peripheral annular surface carrying a semi-circular opening of diameter marginally greater than the diameter of the shift cable end connecting member, an annular cavity in the first side of the cylindrical member, said annular cavity of a diameter greater than the diameter of the semi-spherical member and a height greater than the distance between the rear surface of the shift cable end and the spherical cap of the semi-spherical member, a cylindrical alignment sleeve centered around the longitudinal axis of the annular cavity, said alignment sleeve having an inner diameter sized to fit the second alignment means of the bushing installation member and carrying a conical guiding surface extending radially outward from the inner diameter to the outer diameter of the alignment sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as in  claim 15  where in said force averaging means is comprised of a bushing installation member, said bushing installation member having a bushing seating surface sized to seat the trailing shoulder of the bushing, a first alignment means attached to said seating surface for axially aligning the bushing sleeve and inner annular member with the longitudinal axis of the bushing installation member, and a second alignment means for engaging the shift cable end protective member and axially aligning the bushing installation member with the shift cable end protective member. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus as in  claim 15 , wherein said force-averaging means is comprised of a bushing installation member having a bushing seating surface sized to seat the trailing shoulder of the bushing, a first alignment means comprising an outer alignment member and an inner alignment member centered around the longitudinal axis of the bushing installation member, said outer alignment member extending perpendicularly from the bushing seating surface, said inner alignment member extending perpendicularly from the outer alignment member, and a second alignment means comprising an elongated member centered around the longitudinal axis of the bushing installation member and extending perpendicularly from the inner alignment member, said elongated member sized to engage the shift cable end protective member and axially align the bushing installation member with the shift cable end protective member. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as in  claim 15 , wherein the force-averaging means is comprised of a first cylindrical member having a first side and a second side and a diameter greater than the diameter of the trailing shoulder of the bushing, a second cylindrical member centered around the longitudinal axis of the first cylindrical member, said second cylindrical member having a diameter less than the diameter of the bushing sleeve and greater than the diameter of the inner annular surface and a length less than the distance from the trailing shoulder of the bushing to the inner annular member of the bushing, a third cylindrical member centered around the longitudinal axis of the first cylindrical member and extending from the second cylindrical member, said third cylindrical member having a diameter less than the diameter of the inner annular member of the bushing and a length less than the distance between the inner annular member and the leading shoulder of the bushing, and a fourth cylindrical member centered around the longitudinal axis of the first cylindrical member and extending from the third cylindrical member, said third cylindrical member sized to engage the shift cable end protective member and axially align the first cylindrical member with the shift cable end protective member. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as in  claim 15  made of a copolymer. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as in  claim 15  made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. 
     
     
         23 . A method for installing a bushing into a transmission shift cable end, said shift cable end having a connecting member that connects the shift cable end to the shift cable, a coupling aperture extending through the shift cable end for coupling with the shift lever or gear lever, a semi-spherical member extending longitudinally from its rear surface, said semi-spherical member including a concentric aperture forming a spherical cap, a mounting aperture carried in the coupling aperture, said mounting aperture having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, said bushing having a sleeve dimensioned to fit inside the mounting aperture carrying an inner annular member and having a leading and trailing shoulder for engaging each sidewall of the mounting aperture, said method comprising:
 providing a shift cable end protective tool having a securing means for securing on to one end of the shift cable end, said securing means including a gripping means for gripping onto the shift cable end connecting member, a force-diverting means for diverting the force applied by any compression tool away from the semi-spherical member and to the rear surface of the shift cable end, and an alignment means for aligning the shift cable end protective tool with a bushing installation tool;   securing the shift cable end protective tool over the semi-spherical member and the rear surface of the shift cable end, such that the gripping means engages the shift cable end connecting member;   providing a bushing installation tool having a force-averaging means for averaging the force applied by a compression tool across the trailing shoulder of the bushing, and a bushing alignment means for axially aligning the bushing with the longitudinal axis of the coupling aperture during installation;   inserting the bushing installation tool into the bushing such that the bushing installation tool engages the sleeve and trailing shoulder of the bushing and aligns the bushing along the longitudinal axis of the bushing installation tool;   inserting the bushing installation tool into the shift cable end coupling aperture and mounting aperture, and into to the shift cable end protective tool;   applying a sufficient compressive force to the shift cable end protective tool and bushing installation tool such that the leading shoulder of the bushing is compressed to fit through the mounting aperture, the leading shoulder of the bushing passes through the mounting aperture, and expands to engage the second sidewall of the mounting aperture;   wherein the shift cable end protective tool diverts the compressive force away from the semi-spherical member and to the rear surface of the shift cable end to prevent damaging the semi-spherical member, and the bushing installation tool averages the compressive force across the trailing shoulder of the bushing to prevent damaging the bushing, and the bushing installation tool engages the alignment means of the shift cable end protective tool to align the bushing with the longitudinal axis of the coupling aperture;   removing the shift cable end protective tool and bushing installation tool after the trailing shoulder engages the first sidewall of the mounting aperture and the leading shoulder of the bushing passes through the mounting aperture and expands to engage the second sidewall of the mounting aperture.   
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 23 , comprising:
 providing a shift cable end protective tool having a shift cable end seating member, said seating member having a first side and a second side, a peripheral surface extending longitudinally from the first side of the seating member, said peripheral surface carrying a gripping means for gripping onto the shift cable end connecting member, said gripping means comprising an opening sized to grasp the shift cable end connecting member, a force diverting means, said force-diverting means comprising a cavity within the first side of the seating member, said cavity sized to fit the semi-spherical member, an alignment means, said alignment means comprising an alignment sleeve centered around the longitudinal axis of the cavity within the first side of the seating member, said alignment sleeve extending to the second side of the seating member, said alignment sleeve carrying a guiding surface for guiding a bushing installation tool into the alignment sleeve during installation;   providing a bushing installation tool having a bushing seating member for engaging the trailing shoulder of the bushing and averaging a compressive force across the trailing shoulder of the bushing, a bushing alignment means for aligning the bushing with the longitudinal axis of the bushing installation tool, said alignment means comprising a series of elongated alignment members extending perpendicularly from and centered longitudinally with the bushing seating surface, said elongated alignment members engaging the sleeve and inner annular member of the bushing to align the bushing with the bushing installation tool, and a shift cable end protective tool engagement means for engaging the alignment sleeve of the shift cable end protective tool, said engagement means comprising an elongated engagement member attached to and extending perpendicularly from the alignment means;   securing the shift cable end protective tool to the shift cable end such that the cylindrical peripheral surface encompasses the shift cable end, the first side of the seating member engages the rear surface of the shift cable end, the semi-spherical member is housed within the cavity within the first side of the seating member, and the opening in the peripheral surface engages the shift cable end connecting member;   inserting the bushing installation tool into the bushing such that the shift cable end protective tool engagement member passes through the bushing, the elongated alignment members engage the sleeve and inner annular member of the bushing, and the bushing seating surface engages the trailing shoulder of the bushing;   inserting the bushing installation tool into the shift cable end coupling aperture such that the shift cable end protective tool engagement member passes through the mounting aperture and engages the shift cable end protective tool alignment sleeve;   applying a compressive force to the shift cable end seating member and the bushing seating member such that the leading shoulder of the bushing is compressed, inserted through the mounting aperture, and allowed to expand to engage the second side of the mounting aperture;   removing the shift cable end protective tool from the bushing installation tool and shift cable end;   removing the bushing installation tool from the bushing.   
     
     
         25 . A method as in  claim 23 , comprising:
 using a shift cable end protective tool having a cylindrical shift cable end seating member, a cylindrical peripheral surface of a diameter greater than the outer diameter of the shift cable end extending longitudinally from said cylindrical seating member, said cylindrical peripheral surface carrying a semi-circular opening of a diameter marginally greater than the diameter of the shift cable end connecting member, an annular cavity within the first side of the seating member, said annular cavity of a diameter greater than the diameter of the semi-spherical member and of a depth greater than the distance between the rear surface of the shift cable end and the concentric aperture carried by the semi-spherical member, an alignment sleeve centered around the longitudinal axis of the annular cavity, said alignment sleeve having an outer diameter less than the diameter of the concentric aperture and an inner diameter sized to fit the engagement means of the bushing installation tool, said alignment sleeve extending to the second side of the shift cable end seating member.   
     
     
         26 . A method as in  claim 23 , comprising;
 Using a bushing installation tool having a cylindrical bushing seating member of a diameter less than the diameter of the shift cable end coupling aperture and greater than the diameter of the trailing shoulder of the bushing, an outer alignment member extending perpendicularly from the bushing seating member, said outer alignment member comprising a cylinder centered around the longitudinal axis of the seating member of a diameter less than the inner diameter of the bushing sleeve and height less than the distance between the trailing shoulder and inner annular member of the bushing, an inner alignment member extending perpendicularly from the outer alignment member, said inner alignment member comprising a cylinder centered around the longitudinal axis of the seating member and of a diameter less than the diameter of the inner annular member of the bushing, an engagement member comprising a cylinder centered around the longitudinal axis of the seating member and of a diameter less than the inner diameter of the shift cable end protective tool alignment sleeve.