Odd leaf spring bushings

[Red-dog]

I am swapping axles and springs from a Rusted out Waggy to a nice Arizona vehicle (both 86 GW’s) and I have a lift kit of unknown origin. I decided to replace the polyurethane leaf spring bushings while I had it all apart. The rear axle went smooth as silk. Used OEM sized rubber bushings to try to soften the ride just a little. When I burned out the rear bushings on the front springs (Take that Captain Planet!) I realized that the standard bushings that I had would not fit. I had 1 1/4” OD bushings PN SB319. The spring eye measures 1 5/32” ID. The only bushings I can find on the web with that OD have a 1/2” ID from Stengel Bros. The stuff I took out had a 9/16” ID. I can’t put a 1/2” bolt through a bracket and a shackle with a 9/16” hole can I? I mean I know it will fit but not a good idea is it? Any good source for funny sized rubber bushings or am I stuck going back with polyurethane?

[tedlovesjeeps71]

Use a bushing sleeve.


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[babywag]

Try looking through Dayton's leaf spring bushing chart/catalog...?

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/bushings/ ... g-bushings

[Red-dog]

That is one nice catalog. First one I have seen that actually lists all the dimensions but I don’t see the one I need. I will call around tomorrow.

[Red-dog]

Use a bushing sleeve.

Do you mean a sleeve around the whole bushing? The ones I installed had a metal outer sleeve already. Do they make something to go around a rubber bushing without an outer metal outer? That would be brilliant.
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[tgreese]

The original bushings should be "silent block" bushings.



Note they have steel shell both inside and outside. That's the original design. I suspect the rubber would not last without both shells.

From the name, I would assume that the rubber was used to reduce noise, not to soften the ride.

[SJTD]

I'm cornfused. Burning out the bushing implies you left a sleeve in the spring??? Why was burning involved?

[tgreese]

Sometimes burning is used to remove the rubber part of the bushing. You still need to peel out the outer steel shell.

[SJTD]

Ah, never had to do dat. I gotta big vice and if something is really giving me trouble a press.

[Red-dog]

Burned out old polyurethane bushings that had no outer shell. I’m looking to put in silent block style. Original equipment on front leaf springs is 1 1/4” OD but my lift kit is different.

[COLORADOCRAWLER]

They could be Rough Country springs. If they ride like an unloaded hay wagon there's a good chance they are RC springs (they don't call them rough for no reason). I just changed mine and had to use RC poly bushings because they use smaller spring eyes than stock.

[COLORADOCRAWLER]

They could be Rough Country springs. If they ride like an unloaded hay wagon there's a good chance they are RC springs (they don't call them rough for no reason). I just changed mine and had to use RC poly bushings because they use smaller spring eyes than stock.

[Red-dog]

They could be Rough Country springs. If they ride like an unloaded hay wagon there's a good chance they are RC springs (they don't call them rough for no reason). I just changed mine and had to use RC poly bushings because they use smaller spring eyes than stock.

That is what I was afraid of.

[Stuka]

Rubber pushes aren't going to change the ride any over poly. Rubber does deflect more, but we are talking 1/8's of an inch difference.

RC springs are notorious for having a terrible ride. Plenty of spring makers that make quality springs that ride well. Stay away from super lift as well, as they tend to be called super stiff

[Red-dog]

Rubber pushes aren't going to change the ride any over poly. Rubber does deflect more, but we are talking 1/8's of an inch difference.

RC springs are notorious for having a terrible ride. Plenty of spring makers that make quality springs that ride well. Stay away from super lift as well, as they tend to be called super stiff

Ha! Super stiff. Hadn’t heard that one before. Called Rough Country and no joy. Polyurethane bushings this size are proving hard to find as well. Beginning to think my Google-Fu is super weak. May order 1 1/8 OD silent blocks just to make sure this isn’t a measuring problem but I’m using dial calipers and measuring things is not usually a challenge for me. REALLY want to call BJ’s and get a Skyjacker lift but I have to make this rig run before I drop that kind of coin. BTW, thanks to all for the help.

[SJTD]

Get bushings a little big and turn em down on a lathe?

[Red-dog]

Get bushings a little big and turn em down on a lathe?

That is what the folks at Energy Suspension suggested. I have yet to convince any of my friends with a lathe to let me try cutting polyurethane on their equipment. I am not too attached to the springs. I think I will get 1 1/8” OD silent block bushings and use a little liquid shim (3M 5200) just until the rig runs. Then I’ll upgrade to a Skyjacker kit.