Leaf Spring Bushings?
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New User
Joined: Sep 2005
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Leaf Spring Bushings?
Since I had such a good response to my last question I now have another. What is the best way to replace the leaf spring bushings on my 95 F150 4x2? Any problems to look out for, any tricks to make it easier and lastly, poly or rubber? You people have been very helpful and I thank you in advance.
Tom
Tom
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
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From: West Cornwall, CT
Those springs are not easy to remove since the spring eye bolts are likely rusted in place. The rubber spring eye bushings take some work to remove especially with the spring pack still under your truck.
I'd remove one spring pack at a time. This will probably require cutting the spring eye bolts. Once the spring pack is out, carefully remove the bushings with an ox-acetylene torch (or have it done for you). Clean up the spring pack while it is out and install new bushings. Rubber spring eye bushings are OK for the rear springs - poly bushings work well but squeak after a while.
When you reinstall the spring pack, use new U-bolts and spring eye bolts.
Lou Braun
I'd remove one spring pack at a time. This will probably require cutting the spring eye bolts. Once the spring pack is out, carefully remove the bushings with an ox-acetylene torch (or have it done for you). Clean up the spring pack while it is out and install new bushings. Rubber spring eye bushings are OK for the rear springs - poly bushings work well but squeak after a while.
When you reinstall the spring pack, use new U-bolts and spring eye bolts.
Lou Braun
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
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From: Lakewood, Ohio
also get a new centering bolt, you can get the stock one from ford or npd, or match the bolt but the problem is that it rusts away so it is hard to size. when in doubt make sure it is tight in the spring hole.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
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I am about to do the same thing. I am going to be using poly. The rubber stuff always wears out and rots etc. I never buy the rubber stuff if I can help it. Do you really have to replace the leaf spring bolts that run through the eye bushings? I checked with Ford and they want over 100 bucks for the set. Thats rediculous! I didn't have that problem with my 65 Mustang.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
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From: Spokane, WA
I replaced all my bushing on my 81 spring set about 6 months ago. I know stock rubber bushings will last as long as anything in that position. Mine were 24 years old and still very servicable. I used my press with the appropriate sized driver (ok I used a socket) to drive out the old and in the new ones, it worked slick and took less than 1/2 per set. Getting them out and cleaned up took much longer than the bushing replacement. I would suggest a new center bolt also, and head down to the local spring maker and get a bunch of new spring sliders (plastic that goes on the end of the springs), they are cheap...I think I bought 25 of them for $5. Clean them, paint them and reassemble the springs and they will be quiet and smooth, just like stock. Don't use any lube, assemble them dry!
Just my thoughts
Kenny
Just my thoughts
Kenny
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 11,289
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From: Lakewood, Ohio
Originally Posted by TexasGuy001
I am about to do the same thing. I am going to be using poly. The rubber stuff always wears out and rots etc. I never buy the rubber stuff if I can help it. Do you really have to replace the leaf spring bolts that run through the eye bushings? I checked with Ford and they want over 100 bucks for the set. Thats rediculous! I didn't have that problem with my 65 Mustang.
and you really should put new shackles on if they are rusty.
parts are not cheap, but if you do it yourself at least you do not have to pay labor.
New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16
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On my 93 F150 my bolt were wore considerably. Everytime I took a corner I could hear a loud thump I cheked it out and it was the bolts. the truck only had 100,000kms on her too.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 155
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From: hebron, ct
With all the drawbacks to attempting this on your own, what should one expect to pay for a commercial spring shop to replace both sets of leaf springs? I was quoted anywhere from 450.00 to 580.00 and not certain what new parts (bolts, bushings, shackles, etc) are included. I did specify new u-bolts however. This all seems a bit high since I can get the leaf springs for 116.00 ea. uninstalled. Any comments, or is the price range fair for what needs to be done?
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New User
Joined: Nov 2004
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On mine I just used a balljoint press(hand tool) and some right size pipe to accept the bushing and pressed them out right on the truck. i think I pushed the rubber out of the casing and just chisled the tin casing and pressed the new one in. It took probably about 2-3 hours to do all of them. for both shackles and 6 bolts I don't think it was much more than $150 canadian.