I'm restoring a'66 F-100 Styleside longbed to original specs. How can I tell if the leaf spring bushings need to be replaced? Additionally, is this a difficult job, and are there any secrets to the replacement?

 

If the bushings are dried out or bulging that is an indication they are going out. Also the bushings will not be centered correctly or a sag means they are gone. Changing them out varies though. Some come out easily while others you have to set the rubber on fire to get them to let go. It all depends on how long they have been in there. A 8 inch vise will do to install them or just take them in to a shop and have them press them in. It may cost you a few hours and $50 to do so but you wont be at home cursing them. If you decide to change them yourself spray all the hardware the night before and go to bed. Wake up and swap them. Some people use grease or vasaline to help the installation but calling the place that supplied them would be wiser.

 

If the bushings are original or even 10 years old they need to be replaced.
They can be easily pressed in and out if you have access to a press, if not your local parts house or engine shop should have a press.

 

How long does this take a shop to do? I ordered a half-dozen hockey puck lookin' rubber-baby-buggy bumpers from Mac's a while back, I have a shop replacing the clutch next month - a good shop, they always set the valve lifters and anything that needs doin. Hell, the shocks are a few years old already and my 15-20k on them now.

Dad drove a truck for a little while years ago, and he said the owner of the fleet always made them unload completely every night, to keep the weight off the springs and such. I keep firewood and sandbags this time of year.