Leaf Spring eye corrosion

[brettdoed47]

Hello,
I am trying to replace my leaf spring bushings and I have run into a concern. Currently, the old bushings are out (they are a two-piece design). The problem is that there is alot of corrosion and rust on the inside of all four of the leaf spring eyes, making the diameter very non-uniform. I am wondering if anyone else has run into this problem and what they did. I am assuming poly bushings would not work for this application, possibly OEM rubber would. Also, anyone know of a place online where I could purchase only the leaf with the eyes and not the entire pack? Thanks.

 

[Shran]

The OEM bushings were a big metal outer sleeve, rubber inside that, then a smaller metal sleeve and it was all bonded together and pressed into the spring eye. Is that what you have?

You can get the OEM bushings from Michigan Truck Spring. Kinda spendy for what they are. If they fit tight into your spring eyes then I would not worry about the rust. I'm not a fan of poly bushings at all, I think their lifespan is about 1/10th that of rubber and they fall apart more easily.

Not sure about getting just the main leaf, I'd recommend just replacing the whole pack if you want to go that route... They are not super expensive.

 

[Roert42]

I’ve run into the issue of the eye collapsing after the old bushing was removed, making it impossible to press a new bushing in.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I think this is one of those replace the whole thing situations. And yes leaf spring are relatively cheap. Got a few options on rock auto.

 

[Shran]

I’ve run into the issue of the eye collapsing after the old bushing was removed, making it impossible to press a new bushing in.

Every spring I've replaced bushings on has done that, the OEM bushing is a press fit and will open up the spring eye a little bit when it's in place. I use a shop press to install them.

 

[Dirt Squirt]

I used a chisel to open up eye to remove with hammer and socket, then used a ball stone/flex hone to clean up i.d. Lube well with silly cone grease when installing.

 

[Roert42]

Every spring I've replaced bushings on has done that, the OEM bushing is a press fit and will open up the spring eye a little bit when it's in place. I use a shop press to install them.

I screwed up the first bushing trying to press it in. I just said screw it and replaced the whole thing. At 25 years old it didn’t owe me anything.

 

[brettdoed47]

thank for the advise guys, just got some bushings in from orielys and looks like everything will work out. cheers