Leaf spring bushings....

firehonomichl

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Well it’s that time fellas I gotta do leaf spring bushing... what is the consensus on rubber vs polyurethane? I want to do a solid front axle when I can afford to so idk if I want to sink a ton of cash into this set up but it needs to be done to hold me over..
 

franklin2

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Poly lasts longer but gives a rougher nosier ride. Everything is a compromise isn't it?
 

mblaney

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I put poly in mine and the ride is just as rewarding...

Getting the old bushing out is a PITA but putting poly in is easy peasy. If you are doing rears, I would recommend replacing the whole spring.
 

u2slow

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The shackles are one step - and you'd re-use those with a D60 unless going RSK. Another thought is if you re-bush the existing springs, you might be able to cut them out of the spring eyes for your D60 springs later.
 

Scotty4

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I just did the energy suspension poly bushings in mine at the same time as new shocks. Ride is great. Talk about a pain though.
 

1mouse3

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Removing the old bushing is not to bad, just perforate old the bushing so the core can be punched out and then take a saw of some sort to the outer sleeve. The hard part is dealing with a frozzen bolt if is the case that is 9 out of 10 what happens around salt, a big cut off disk works better than saw sawzall blades.



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firehonomichl

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Removing the old bushing is not to bad, just perforate old the bushing so the core can be punched out and then take a saw of some sort to the outer sleeve. The hard part is dealing with a frozzen bolt if is the case that is 9 out of 10 what happens around salt, a big cut off disk works better than saw sawzall blades.



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Thanks that’s good to know. I’ll be doing them and the pivot bushings this weekend.
 

franklin2

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Thanks that’s good to know. I’ll be doing them and the pivot bushings this weekend.

When I went to install the new pivot bushings, I could not get them pounded in there. What I had to do was get some all thread, and some large washers and a metal cup, run the all thread through everything and then squeeze the new bushings in place by tightening the nuts on the all thread.

You can make a "cup" by using pieces from a balljoint press kit if you have one. Or if you happen to have a really large socket. The ID has to be large enough to let the bushing stick through.
 
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