How to change rear leaf spring bushings?

[ElleShooTiger]

The front bushing on my RR leaf spring has collapsed and is causing the spring to rub against its perch and making a lot of noise on bumps.

I've found the Energy Suspension poly bushings, as well as the regular rubber Moog bushings. But whats the easiest way to remove the old ones? They have 250k on them but its a southern truck, so no rust!

Besides pressing them out, can you turn them out using its own bolt and a wrench? I'd like to not have to remove the springs to do this.

 

[Explorin94]

The spring needs to atleast be dropped out of the perch to replace the bushing. As long as you can get the bolt out without destroying it you should be good. If you are just doing the one bushing use what the truck has now, or if you plan on doing all of them go ahead and do the energy suspension bushings. I have found that if you stick a screwdriver between the bushing and spring eye then shoot some penetrant oil in there and work the screwdriver around then you should be able to get the bushing out....most of the time. If that doesn't work take a drill and drillbit and drill on the rubber part of the bushing.

 

[ElleShooTiger]

Thanks, I'll be doing all the bushings at the same time, probably do one side at a time, or both fronts and then both rears at the same time.

I figure if I can get a small prybar in where the coil eye reaches the spring and open it up a bit, it should help the bushing slide out a lot easier.

I've seen a few posts about bushings on here, but no write-ups lol.

 

[rrbrian222]

I envy you for not having to deal with rust on a 12 year old truck. I just replaced the hanger, shackles, and bushings on my '95 and it was pretty much a PITA.

Assuming you can get all of your spring eye bolts out, your job should be pretty easy. I do think you should remove the leaf springs from the truck though, you can just do one side at a time. Even with 15 years of road salt and corrosion up here in WI, I was still able to loosen the 18mm nuts on the axle U-bolts. Basically all you have to do is remove one U-bolt and loosen the nuts on the other one and the leaf spring will come right out. Just make sure you have the truck frame jacked up and supported so the weight is off the axle. Helps if you support the pinion flange too.

As for bushing removal, I used modelageek's suggestion to drill the rubber out with a fresh 1/4" bit. Once I removed enough rubber to loosen things up a bit, I used a vice-grip to grab the metal sleeve and wrestle it out.

I had to clean up the spring eyes with a grinding point chucked into my drill. They were so corroded there was no way those moog-style bushings would go in without a 50-ton press. I just ordered up the energy suspension kit (4.2134R from amazon.com....$36, free shipping). Those bushings installed in minutes. I do have two of the moog-style bushings for the rear eyes of the spring that I don't need. If you going to use those, shoot me a PM, I can save you some $$$.

 

[disciplerocks]

1. Drive to junkyard
2. Find yourself a Ranger
3. with a good breaker bar and 13/16 socket, loosen bolts on leaf springs
4. pay $10 for a whole leaf spring instead of $60 for bushings
5. Be happy

 

[Explorin94]

1. Drive to junkyard
2. Find yourself a Ranger
3. with a good breaker bar and 13/16 socket, loosen bolts on leaf springs
4. pay $10 for a whole leaf spring instead of $60 for bushings
5. Be happy

And then go through the same headache again in 2 years.

Cheaper doing it with the new stuff!

 

[ElleShooTiger]

And then go through the same headache again in 2 years.

Cheaper doing it with the new stuff!

I just want to know where he found leaf springs for $10! I thought about getting some lower-mileage springs, but couldnt find 4x4 rangers at the u-pull-its, and most salvage yards want at least $75 per side.

 

[dangerranger83]

I paid $50 per leaf pack at my local j/y and that's a deal for chevy leaves, but I get a discount due to them knowing me so well.

As for taking the bushings out of those, huge PITA, but worth it in the end.

 

[disciplerocks]

I just want to know where he found leaf springs for $10! I thought about getting some lower-mileage springs, but couldnt find 4x4 rangers at the u-pull-its, and most salvage yards want at least $75 per side.

$10 a piece here at u-pull. $75 at the salvage.

 

[ElleShooTiger]

$10 a piece here at u-pull. $75 at the salvage.

You're lucky, around here most of the u-pull-its were bought out by LKQ Corp and the prices have gone up. It sucks that there arent as many independent u-pull-its anymore, you could always find the "cheaper" one, or one willing to deal on prices instead of just selecting it in the computer.

I ordered the Energy bushings today, as well as 4 new KYB GR2 shocks, might be a while before I have a chance to install them, but I'm sure it will be worth it! Right now, the only part I wont have changed on the suspension are the front lower control arm bushings.

 

[disciplerocks]

Ah yeah I've seen their stuff on Ebay and its a bit overpriced. Well good luck.

 

[BlackHogDown]

Resurrecting an old thread I know but I'm trying to nail down a part number for the right rear leaf spring bushing and bolt. I had to grind off the rivets off the old rear hanger and when it came to removing the bolt from the spring it was seized after much screaming and banging I finally drilled out the bushing with a bit and now need the part number for the bushing.