Rear Leaf Bushing Replacement

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Jul 18, 2004 | 02:00 AM

RaleighDad66

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From: Raleigh, NC

Rear Leaf Bushing Replacement

Has anyone replaced their rear leaf bushings? I spent a beautiful Saturday morning heating and pressing the old ones but the outer portion of the bushing is frozen in place. Any tips would be appreciated.
I did get a few banged knuckles out of the deal so all wasn't lost!

Jul 18, 2004 | 10:20 AM

RCMCs 64

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From: Sidney, NE

Hi, I did mine last year, they were the original rubber ones. I just used a torch to cut the center metal, with that the rubber was on fire and I just let it burn for 10-30 seconds then blow it out, peferably in a well ventalated area. Then I used a large screwdriver to push and pry the old rubbers out. Once they were all out I just used emery cloth to clean up the holes and inserted the new lubed bushings.

Jul 19, 2004 | 07:44 AM

RaleighDad66

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From: Raleigh, NC

Oh, if it were only that easy! The problem is with the outer piece of the bushing that becomes fused to the spring. I've since seen hydraulic presses but I think removing the spring so I can chisel the outer bushing along the line where the spring eye meets the leaf will relieve the bushing and allow it to be pressed out. More work than anticipated but we all know what even a little movement in the springs does to increase sway and instability.

Jul 19, 2004 | 10:36 AM

Rosati

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From: Texas

Get yourself a sawzall, and cut the old housing inside the spring eye. You don';t have to cut all the way through, just enough to score it about halfway through.
Then grab yourself a ball peen and an old flat head screwdriver. Start hammering it into the scored edge and get it to split. Once you get halfway into the bore, flip it over and start on the other side. The idea is to get the diameter of the old bushing smaller to pull awat from the spring.
Once you've removed the bushing, clean up the bore with a wire brush or sandblasting. This will aid greatly in installing the new bushing.

Jul 19, 2004 | 11:47 AM

RaleighDad66

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From: Raleigh, NC

Thanks Krosati, sounds like a good plan. I'll have to use the long blade on my jig saw but I'm sure it'll work, just a lot slower. I have so much slop in one of the bushings that there is an audible CLUNK when rounding corners when the spring finds its way to the shackle. Have you seen any poly replacements out there?

Jul 19, 2004 | 11:59 AM

Rosati

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From: Texas

Contact Energy Suspension to see if they have some that fit. You might have to supply them with an OEM bushing to measure it though.

Jul 20, 2004 | 08:17 AM

DPhillips

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I just replaced the bushings in my 65 and scoring them and chiseling them out is the simplest way to do it. I would go woth polyurethane bushings for the replacements. They just slip into the spring eye after the old bushing and sleeve are removed. Good luck.