Spring Bushing Replacement

[backporch]

I am in the process of replacing my rear hanger and shackle for the leaf springs.

Even though the shackle came with a new bushing, I am considering avoiding the pain of replacing what might be a serviceable original bushing. What I can say about the bushing is the bolts were incredibly difficult to get out. Had to tap and turn them to work them out until the threads on the bolt got hold of the inside of the metal tubes and I was able to screw them out. All the while using a large ratchet. The rubber did not give way at all.

There is no visible degradation of the bushing as best I can see. I cut away the rubber sides that were falling apart. No play of that center tube with respect to the leaf spring. Any suggestions as to the value of removing and replacing with the "free" ones that came with the Dorman shackle?

 

[Shran]

You're lucky you got them out at all. Usually the bolts are rusted into the sleeves so bad that I have to cut them off with a torch or cutoff wheel.

I'd probably replace the bushings but it's ultimately up to you. If they don't look cracked, probably fine to leave them alone. I almost always replace bushings whenever I have things apart.

FWIW you can use a hole saw to cut through the rubber if you want to replace them...that's the easy way. There is an outer sleeve that the rubber sits inside - sometimes you need to use that with new polyurethane bushings... new rubber bushings usually come with sleeve attached, though, so you'd want to remove that as well in that case.

 

[adsm08]

The bushings are easy to replace, you just need a ball joint press kit.

I'd do it while you are there.

 

[Shran]

If you grease them up and clean the spring eyes out really well, you can even use a bench vise. I have a shop press and a ball joint tool but I used my bench vise last time I did them, just to see if I could.

 

[Dirtman]

I always burn them out. They turn to goo pretty quick and can just be poked out with a stick.

 

[Snoranger]

I always burn them out. They turn to goo pretty quick and can just be poked out with a stick.

 

[Shran]

^actual photo of Dirtman working ?

 

[sgtsandman]

I would replace the bushings. You got them. You might as well use them. Consider it preventative maintenance.

 

[Snoranger]

I would replace the bushings. You got them. You might as well use them. Consider it preventative maintenance.

Do you really want to have to do the job a second time? I wouldn’t.

 

[sgtsandman]

Hey! I resemble the emoji!!!

 

[backporch]

Thanks for the replies. I did pull out the old bushings tonight. I am glad I did it. The bushings seemed like they were full of corroded steel. Hard to describe. Almost as if the rubber had chunks of metal in it. They were difficult to drill into. Wound up doing some drilling but mostly digging around with a screwdriver and eventually grabbing the sleeve and was able to turn it and work it out. The rubber bushings had fused to the leaf and center tube.

The bushings I pulled out are two rubber plugs with a center tube. The ones that came with the links are a press in metal encased sleeve. It looks about the right size. I hope that they are compatible. The leaf spring looks like it has a ridge in the center between the old rubber bushings. I guess that's corrosion and hopefully will come out with some emory paper.

 

[Dirtman]

There should be a steel sleeve that went around the old bushings like the way you are describing the new ones. When you press the old bushings out that sleeve usually doesn't come out with them and has to be chiseled off. Unless of course the bushings that were in there were replaced previously at some point with aftermarket 2 peice bushings.

 

[Shran]

I usually clean out the spring eyes with a round wire brush in a drill - works great.

 

[backporch]

I will clean up with a wire wheel. Good idea.

i will also verify there is no sleeve. The rubber insert was definitely two pieces

 

[backporch]

l

looks like there is corrosion in the center that will limit inserting the new bushing. I am planning on using a hole saw to cut out that ridge n the center

any suggestions on grease to use and torques to set on the bolts?