flexomatic spring busings
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
Exactly. All the poly bushings I've installed have used the original outer sleeve. Ya might consider keeping them greased with either a zerk fitting or some of that sticky silicone grease the bushings come with. Seems to me the inner surface of the spring eyes are as rough textured as the outer surface. Unless you smoothed out the inner surface with something like a reamer.
I put in the OEM ones in 1978 the yr ,I got the truck and with the camper on for so long needed to replace rear springs, got a pair from a f350 and put poly bushing into them about 15 yrs ago. Then replaced the fronts about 5 yrs ago from a 75 4wd f250 and those spring eyes were smooth also. Just remove rusty dirt with an wire wheel. Then lubed everything and use a rubber mallet whacked them in then the center bushing did the same.
Now if if I was on the east coast mid west then would need may be a reamer or grinding wheel to smooth then up so..
But what would a guy do if his inner sleeves were all bad and could not put in the polys bushing
. Just forget about using them and order oem 
ones. Orich .
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 4
From: Western Kentucky
Exactly. All the poly bushings I've installed have used the original outer sleeve. Ya might consider keeping them greased with either a zerk fitting or some of that sticky silicone grease the bushings come with. Seems to me the inner surface of the spring eyes are as rough textured as the outer surface. Unless you smoothed out the inner surface with something like a reamer.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 34
From: S/W Virginia
So I worked on then today, hacksaw and a chisel removed the inner sleeve no problem. Took a grinder and cleaned up the inner real good, put some oil in there and tried installing new bushing by using piece of all thread and some washers. I have got them squeezed in till they lack about an inch but can't get them further. It was around 10 degrees here today, so I'm hoping that's the problem.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
I know there a real Bi~ch when, I first did mine in 78 this was why I went with the poly bushings. Pound in each haft then drive in the center done sleeve.
If you have a big HD vise or a have a shop press them in.
Use may sure you oil the all thread threads helps.
I finished beating them in with a BFH
But poly bushing do make the ride a little harder.
Orich
If you have a big HD vise or a have a shop press them in.
Use may sure you oil the all thread threads helps.
I finished beating them in with a BFH
But poly bushing do make the ride a little harder.
Orich
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Ah. Take them back out and stick those bushings in the freezer for a while. Shrink 'em. Then use something thinner like spray liquid graphite. Which BTW works great at lubing house squeaky house door hinge pins. Take a punch and hammer and pop out the pins one at a time from bottom to top. Lube with it and replace. The wifey may...........
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,060
Likes: 2,422
From: NY and VA
Now if you put the spring end in hot water....
As above, freezing the bushings would be better.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
This would be an excellent excuse to order a case or two of Omaha steaks. They ship with blocks of dry ice, after all. When it shows up on the CC bill, just explain to wifey it's a "special tool" or "bushing installer". Thank me later.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
If this is the case then why is their a expansion joint on the rail road rails.
Or when your welding and the heat will pull two square pieces a part if parts are not tack first to hole them square.
But your a welder and know this that why I don't understand your statement
As it's always been heat the large part & chill the small ones.
Orich
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 4
From: Western Kentucky
That the way I've always done it. I grease the bushings and the spring eyes put a bolt with good heavy washers on both ends and draw them in with a impact, works as good as a press.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Not to beat you up Mike but seems to me boiling the bushings would expand them and make them kinda sticky. For poly anyways. If they run out of lube while being pulled in it wouldn't work. Just sayin' Buddy.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 34
From: S/W Virginia
Just to wrap the thread up, I tried some more and broke my piece of all thread, so I took them out to a local shop and used their press to get them in the rest of the way.