I googled this but must not be using the right words. I have a 79 F 250 4x4 with a clunk in the front end that I narrowed down to the frame mount that attaches to the shackle on the leaf spring rear bushing. I ordered the new bushings but before I take it apart I want to know how hard is it to replace this bushing? The housing is riveted to the frame so I hope I don'e have to remove from the frame. Thanks for any help.

 

If the bushings have been there a long time, they may be rusted-in-place and you may have to press them out. That means removing the entire leaf spring pack from the truck.

 

Agree the springs need to come out. Good idea to get new spring mount bolts and U bolts also.

When I did mine, I remember the rear spring mount bolt as installed would not slide all the way out... it wanted to hit part of the frame or body. A sawsall with good metal blade took care of it. Run the saw slow with plenty of pressure. The new bolt installed fine from the other side.

On the U bolts, the fine thread does not take rust and age very well. Unless they are almost new, disassembly will mess them up so best to have new on hand. The sawsall may come in handy for the U bolts as well.

As posted, a press is required for bushing install. At home or at a local machine shop or spring shop.

 

Found a picture of the bushing I'm talking about. I don't see why I would have to unbolt U bolts.

 

Getting that factory bushing out is going to be a bear in the frame. And yes removing those rivets is not fun either. I have removed dozens. Fortunately a 7/16" bolt fits beautifully after running a 7/16" bit through them.

 

Don't think you need to yank the leafs - just have a good jack handy to support the leaf pack and earplugs for the kids/wife/neighbors 'cause you'll be inventing some new swear words trying to get the old rubbers out. You might want to put some wooden wedges in between the frame and the leaf mounting dealie.

Once the bolt is out the shackles should swing down with some persuasion. Then the fun begins...hahaha.

 

Pic represents the following: 1977 F250 4WD (from serial number Y20,001 - not a High Boy) / 1978/79 F250 4WD / 1979 F350 4WD // 1978/79 F150 4WD Super Cab.

There's an error in the caption: It should say Y20,001 not 420,000

 

that bushing should be rubber inside a metal sleeve and anther metal sleeve withing the rubber that the bolt goes thru. when i did mine i burned the rubber out with a torch , i then carefully cut the outer sleeve with a sawzall and then using a drift pin i was able to remove it.

 

I second this...maybe take it more careful and use a hand held hack saw to cut a slit in the metal portion so you can peel it away.

It is a real pain.

 

Well either way suspension work is not easy on these old gems, I went ahead and cut the front & rear spring hangers off with a torch, my thinking was by the time I hammer pound cuss, scratch my a&$, this would be faster, and I have a new solid suspension l purchased all of my parts from ATS spring including new spring packs, I mean everything specify lifted or not and how much, they are fabulous to work with
Good luck