Well, I took the shaft over to my indy and showed it to him, and he couldn't get it out either. He did say if he really, really heated the hell out of it, it would probably come out. But he actually thought the most sensible thing to do would be just put the damn thing back on as is ... the inner part of the bushing isn't damaged, and he didn't think the holes I drilled in it mattered. He said it shouldn't have been replaced in the first place, he never replaces them ... so now I really wish I wasn't dumb enough to open this can of worms. Ugh. I guess I'll just try putting it back on with the holes in the bushing ... he said the worst it would do would be cause a subtle vibration, but he didn't think it would. He was nice about it, and said if I had anymore trouble bring it back and he'd get it out for me. But I feel really mad at myself.
On the bright side, I feel fairly confident in my ability to change the wiper blades on my Jeep ... so I can at least get something right this week.

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Your not dumb by any means. Your smarter than the guy wondering if that bushing comes out . Ask your Indy "why" he dosent just replace them......
I bet you already know that answer. Lesson learned .

Failure is the tuition for success . You fail enough you wind a pro then, patches, plaques ........

21 years of mechanics and still learning !! See my signature quotes for a quick reference. Theres Not enough bandwidth for details!!

Hang in there !!!!

__________________


Experience : what you receive 3 seconds after you really needed it !!



86 300SDL 387,000? Motor committed suicide
81 300SD 214,000 "new" 132,000 motor
83 300SD 212,000 parts car
83 300SD 147,000

91 F700 5.9 cummins 5spd eaton 298,000
66 AMC rambler American 2dr auto 108,000
95 Chevy 3/4 ton auto 160,000
03 Toyota 4runner 180,000 wifes

Thanks soot. I guess it wasn't the silliest mistake to make, since the FSM does describe a procedure to get these things out ... I just didn't know it was a very rarely-needed procedure. I just keep kicking myself because this job would be long-since done if I'd just put the shaft with its perfectly good old bushing back on. But like you said, it's a lesson. And hopefully it'll go back on OK and not give me any weird vibrations. We'll see ... I really can't wait to get this thing back on the road!

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)