Sloppy Bushings

[IronTom]

Hello all,

Seeking advice from the collect wisdom of the group.

I recently purchased a 2003 FX4 Level 2 and need to replace the rear spring shackles & hangers. I have already removed the old/rusty assemblies and about to bolt in the new.

I purchased a replacement kit from Amazon. This vendor had 85% 5 star rating in their reviews and claimed to meet the OEM specifications.

Now that I have the parts in my hands, I find the bushings to be “sloppy”
The hanger space for the shackle is 8.2 cm / 3 31/64”
The width of the shackle (which fits into the hanger) is 7.65 cm / 3”
That represents ~ 1/2” gap where the shackle can slide around in the hanger.

The shackle bolt is 14 mm thick and yet the hole in the hanger is 14.6 mm So again a sloppy fit.

The shackle to leaf spring bolt shares that same “sloppiness” (can slide back & forth, and the bolt is smaller than the bushing).

Question:
Is this the way Ford designed it?
~ or ~
This vendor is out of spec and I should return the kit and find a better kit? (would welcome any of your suggestions)

please let me know,
Iron Tom

 

[Curious Hound]

It has never been that way in any trucks I’ve worked on. Usually have to force the new stuff together.

 

[pjtoledo]

on some bushings there are bumps inside the inner sleeves that center the bolt.
if you don't have any bumps then I suspect the holes are too big.

on factory bushings there is NO metal to metal movement.
the movement is the flexing of the rubber in the bushings.

that means the inner sleeves should be very tight against the shackles/frame bracket.

poly bushings are different, they slide.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’ve had where there was a little slop that when the bolt is tightened down it takes out the slop, but that sounds like an excessive amount of slop. Like that’s not the right part kinda slop.

 

[Josh B]

I never considered 85% very good, hek, on Ebay I'd look for 99+

 

[Uncle Gump]

I didn't measure my Dorman hangers and shackles... but they certainly have play between the two... until you tighten them up.

I also just removed the Dorman factory equivalent and installed Supreme Suspension 1-2 inch lift shackles. Same deal. Play between the two until you torque them up.

 

[IronTom]

Thank you all for your replies. I’ve decided to return the kit and find one that matches the OEM specs.

Question: do you put lubricant (grease?) between the bolt and the sleeve in the bushing?

 

[Curious Hound]

Thank you all for your replies. I’ve decided to return the kit and find one that matches the OEM specs.

Question: do you put lubricant (grease?) between the bolt and the sleeve in the bushing?

I lube it all. I use Superlube for that because it supposedly doesn't attack the bushings. Some companies include a little blister of it with the bushings. Last time I did mine, I ordered greasable bolts. That way, I can periodically pump grease into the assemblies.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

There’s so much rust here I use grease liberally whether the instructions tell you to or not

 

[pjtoledo]

Thank you all for your replies. I’ve decided to return the kit and find one that matches the OEM specs.

Question: do you put lubricant (grease?) between the bolt and the sleeve in the bushing?

I'm in the rust belt. suspension parts get a liberal coating of never seize.
a definite yes to coating the bolt and sleeve.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

If I can recall off just memory, Polyurethane bushings come with packet of white lithium grease.