Front Leaf Spring Bushings
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Front Leaf Spring Bushings
Hello all, new Ford owner, and also a new member of FTE!
Was checking out my new to me 99 F350 4x4 7.3 diesel this weekend, and noticed that one of the front leafsprings has gone cockeyed and is hitting the shackle. I was wondering, are these bushings serviceable, or am I pretty much left to buy brand new spring assemblies for the front? If they're serviceable, are they a bear of a job to do? Also, can the U-Bolts be re-used or should they be replaced when they are removed?
Thanks for the help in advance, looking forward to communicating with all you and becoming a ford guy...I came from the dodge side. If anyone knows of any good places to order the bushings or springs and hardware, please let me know, I know my way around a dodge but nothing about these trucks! Thanks
Was checking out my new to me 99 F350 4x4 7.3 diesel this weekend, and noticed that one of the front leafsprings has gone cockeyed and is hitting the shackle. I was wondering, are these bushings serviceable, or am I pretty much left to buy brand new spring assemblies for the front? If they're serviceable, are they a bear of a job to do? Also, can the U-Bolts be re-used or should they be replaced when they are removed?
Thanks for the help in advance, looking forward to communicating with all you and becoming a ford guy...I came from the dodge side. If anyone knows of any good places to order the bushings or springs and hardware, please let me know, I know my way around a dodge but nothing about these trucks! Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,654
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From: Tewksbury, MA
You can replace the bushings, I have never done it but personally i would get poly bushings from somewhere like Energy Suspension. I would assume they need to be pressed out ones you lower or remove the spring from the truck and I personally don't know how hard it is to do but i bet someone on here will chime in who has done it before.
Welcome to FTE btw!
Welcome to FTE btw!
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New User
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You can replace the bushings, I have never done it but personally i would get poly bushings from somewhere like Energy Suspension. I would assume they need to be pressed out ones you lower or remove the spring from the truck and I personally don't know how hard it is to do but i bet someone on here will chime in who has done it before.
Welcome to FTE btw!
Welcome to FTE btw!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,654
Likes: 20
From: Tewksbury, MA
You can definitely reuse them...unless they break lol but yeah nothing to worry about as far as reusing the hardware. Word of caution, i have read that the leaf spring bolts need to be heated up to get removed if they have been installed for a long time without removal.
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Souderton
Hello all, new Ford owner, and also a new member of FTE!
Was checking out my new to me 99 F350 4x4 7.3 diesel this weekend, and noticed that one of the front leafsprings has gone cockeyed and is hitting the shackle. I was wondering, are these bushings serviceable, or am I pretty much left to buy brand new spring assemblies for the front? If they're serviceable, are they a bear of a job to do? Also, can the U-Bolts be re-used or should they be replaced when they are removed?
Thanks for the help in advance, looking forward to communicating with all you and becoming a ford guy...I came from the dodge side. If anyone knows of any good places to order the bushings or springs and hardware, please let me know, I know my way around a dodge but nothing about these trucks! Thanks
Was checking out my new to me 99 F350 4x4 7.3 diesel this weekend, and noticed that one of the front leafsprings has gone cockeyed and is hitting the shackle. I was wondering, are these bushings serviceable, or am I pretty much left to buy brand new spring assemblies for the front? If they're serviceable, are they a bear of a job to do? Also, can the U-Bolts be re-used or should they be replaced when they are removed?
Thanks for the help in advance, looking forward to communicating with all you and becoming a ford guy...I came from the dodge side. If anyone knows of any good places to order the bushings or springs and hardware, please let me know, I know my way around a dodge but nothing about these trucks! Thanks
You can re-use your spring eye bolts if you really want to, if they look okay go for it. However, I highly suggest purchasing new U-bolts. Old U-bolts will stretch over time making it difficult for you to apply the proper torque on them. This can lead to a loose fit resulting in some possible issues like your leaf springs actually breaking. Let me know if I can send you pricing on anything!
-Junior
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Hey guys, sorry it took so long for me to get back. Been dealing with a lot at work and have been trying to sort out other issues with this truck, some are making me pull whats left of my hair out!
Anyway, used the energy suspension bushing kit. I shouldve gotten new u-bolts but I didnt, other than that the install went very smooth, for anyone interested how, here it goes.
Once you remove the spring, take a 3/8 drill bit and drill several holes in the rubber between the metal sleeve and the spring eye. Once you get enough holes drilled you can stick a large socket over the metal sleeve of the bushing and pound them right out. Then to install the energy suspension bushings, just clean the spring eyes up real good, lube them up and tap them in with a hammer! Worked out great, truck passed inspection!
Anyway, used the energy suspension bushing kit. I shouldve gotten new u-bolts but I didnt, other than that the install went very smooth, for anyone interested how, here it goes.
Once you remove the spring, take a 3/8 drill bit and drill several holes in the rubber between the metal sleeve and the spring eye. Once you get enough holes drilled you can stick a large socket over the metal sleeve of the bushing and pound them right out. Then to install the energy suspension bushings, just clean the spring eyes up real good, lube them up and tap them in with a hammer! Worked out great, truck passed inspection!
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