Leaf Spring bushings, big improvement....

[stratusrt01]

For all my static dropped brothers, check out your leaf spring bushings. I had some clunking when taking turns and going over bumps, and saw that my bushings were shot one day when I was working under the truck. Replaced them today, and you wouldn't believe the difference in the ride, handling, and noise in the truck.

The only thing I'd suggest is if you buy the energy suspension bushings, which are the cheapest to find, there's an insert that is in your leaf springs that has to come out. I didn't even realize it was in there until we tried to stick the new bushing in and it wouldn't fit. Coincidently, there was a tiny piece of paper folded up in the box that said it had to come out. It took about 10 minutes with an air hammer to get them out of my truck, so if you don't have access to one, you may want to take them all the way off and have someone zap them out for you, because there's no way I would have gotten them out working with a hammer and chisel.

[tattoos&minitrucks]

where did U pick them up...how much were they and about how long did it take to do .....thanks for info ....I am sure mine need to be done being from 86 and all....

[iRay808]

hmmm... i think im gonna need to do this cuz my truck makes a clanking noise everytime i hit bumps on the road...thanks for the INFO Bro!

[stratusrt01]

You can get the energy suspension kit from Autozone for $32 for both sides. We did it like this:

o Lifted the truck up, and jacked up the axle slightly to take the tension off the springs.
o removed the rear shackles and the old bushings, mine pretty much fell out....lol
o using an air hammer, removed the thin sleeves that were left in the rear eyes of the springs.
o installed the new sleeves on the shackles that come in the kit. If it's like mine, you'll see exactly which 2 to replace, the kit only comes with 2 sleeves, and mine definately needed them, the other 2 were perfect, I guess that's a common thing, since it only came with 2. Putting the shackles in a vise and using vise grips to twist them off worked pretty good.
o reinstalled the new bushings into the springs and the rear spring perches. Just pay attention, because 4 of the new bushings have grooves cut in them, 4 don't. The 4 with grooves go into the spring perches, which is where the new sleeves go also. There is nothing about that in the instructions either, it's just something we kind of figured out.
o reinstall the shackles
o removed the front bolt from the springs
o used vice grips and a punch and hammer to remove the old bushings.
o installed the new bushings and bolted it back together.

Tips:

Definately easier with 2 people. Use plenty of the moly lube on reinstallation, it's a tight fit going back together.

Total time was under an hour for both sides, but that was using a lift, axle stands and air tools. I'd say the most difficult part was getting those sleeves out, definately something I wouldn't want to do in the driveway with a hammer and chisel, although I guess it could be done.

[JRock]

i've read about/seen people using torches to get the metal inserts out of control arm bushings...would that be easier here too?

[stratusrt01]

I don't think so, because it's just a tiny metal sleeve, very very thin that sits directly on the steel of the leaf springs, so it's metal to metal. Maybe heating up the metal will allow it to come out easier, but it wasn't that difficult with the air hammer at all.

The rubber bushings came right out with no problems with vise grips, and hammer and punch, and a screwdriver. Some fell out, some had to be nudged a bit, but it really wasn't difficult at all.

[1sick94hb]

the clunking comes from the rear hanger bushings being worn out letting the shackle rub on the mount on the frame. So if you make a turn and hear something in the back pop or rubbing then you need leaf spring bushings

[tattoos&minitrucks]

thanks for the info