How do you replace leaf spring bushings???
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: PHOENIX
How do you replace leaf spring bushings???
I bought new spring bushings for the rear of my front springs because they were shot.
It took hours with air chisels etc. to get it out.
How do I put the new ones in?
The spring eye ID is about 1.359 while the bushing OD is 1.375, making it a VERY tight press.
I'm thinking the only way is taking the springs off and using a hydraulic press?
Anyone else have to do this yet?
steve
It took hours with air chisels etc. to get it out.
How do I put the new ones in?
The spring eye ID is about 1.359 while the bushing OD is 1.375, making it a VERY tight press.
I'm thinking the only way is taking the springs off and using a hydraulic press?
Anyone else have to do this yet?
steve
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 164,379
Likes: 82
From: MA
Originally Posted by Super Steve
I bought new spring bushings for the rear of my front springs because they were shot.
It took hours with air chisels etc. to get it out.
How do I put the new ones in?
The spring eye ID is about 1.359 while the bushing OD is 1.375, making it a VERY tight press.
I'm thinking the only way is taking the springs off and using a hydraulic press?
Anyone else have to do this yet?
steve
It took hours with air chisels etc. to get it out.
How do I put the new ones in?
The spring eye ID is about 1.359 while the bushing OD is 1.375, making it a VERY tight press.
I'm thinking the only way is taking the springs off and using a hydraulic press?
Anyone else have to do this yet?
steve
What I learned is if you can't stand a little aggravation pay some one else to install them.
What finally work for us was to use bearing grease and smooth out the inside of the spring with a die grinder. I am sure you roughed it up taking the old one out.
We damaged the first bushing and 2 hydraulic jacks trying to get them in.
It went in real easy using the grease and a 5/8" threaded rod.
We used the rod with nuts and washers on both ends to tighten and pull in the bushing. Worked great until the last 1/2"..
The problem is the bushings inner sleeve is slightly longer than the outer. To get the rest of the bushing in we used a 1 1/2" socket as a spacer to allow the bushing to slide in.
Hope this helps...
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: PHOENIX
Donjamer, thats one thing I was thinking of last night, except with a u-bolt that I had laying around. A u-bolt just fits in the bushing but I would have to do something to the u to make it work. But I didn't think it would be able to pull the bushing in considering how hard it was to get the old one out.
steve
steve
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: MA
Originally Posted by Super Steve
Donjamer, thats one thing I was thinking of last night, except with a u-bolt that I had laying around. A u-bolt just fits in the bushing but I would have to do something to the u to make it work. But I didn't think it would be able to pull the bushing in considering how hard it was to get the old one out.
steve
steve
Grease is the key...
Our first attempts without grease cause a broken 4 ton and 8 ton hydraulic jack.
With the grease we did not need a jack..
It was not very expensive to get the rod nuts and washers....
Good luck...
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From: Long Island USA
It's usually easier to remove the spring, and bring it to an auto shop with a press.
Even at $100/hr, it's worth the $50 to get them pressed in. (1/2 an hour max).
Then you need new u-bolts
Even at $100/hr, it's worth the $50 to get them pressed in. (1/2 an hour max).
Then you need new u-bolts
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From: MA
Originally Posted by EnviroCon
Are you guys replacing your bushings with stock rubber ones or polyurethane?
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From: MA
Originally Posted by krewat
It's usually easier to remove the spring, and bring it to an auto shop with a press.
Even at $100/hr, it's worth the $50 to get them pressed in. (1/2 an hour max).
Then you need new u-bolts
Even at $100/hr, it's worth the $50 to get them pressed in. (1/2 an hour max).
Then you need new u-bolts
Cost of the bushings was $30.00 for 2... Then a little time to install
Cost to pull the springs would be
Bushings $60.00 for 4.. (If you have them out may as well replace both ends)
Labor $50.00 as stated. Maybe more...
4 U bolts about $15.00 each totalling $60.00...
So total to have them pressed in would be $170.00
That is why we opted to just manually install the 2 bushings on the truck..
Spent $30.00 versus $170.00
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: PHOENIX
I got the driver side in last night. Lubed it up with anti-seize and pulled it in with 1/2 inch bolts. Thanks for the tip donjamer.
Now if only I could find where I put the passenger side bushing so I can replace that one too.
I used bushings from superlift since I have superlift springs. Rubber inner, 1.375 OD, I don't know if they are the same as stock or not.
steve
Now if only I could find where I put the passenger side bushing so I can replace that one too.
I used bushings from superlift since I have superlift springs. Rubber inner, 1.375 OD, I don't know if they are the same as stock or not.
steve
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