Leaf spring bushings

[FroggyMcNasty]

Has anyone had to change their bushings? Mine are worn out pretty bad. I was wondering how you did it and what tools were needed.

 

[usaf2006]

Once I re-do my front end, I'll probably pick up some rear bushings. Shouldn't take more than a jack, some jack stands, a ratchet, some sockets, maybe an extension or two, a torque wrench, and some sort of tool to get the old bushing out of it's stuck. BFH and a punch, manual press (like the ones to install ball joints), something to that affect. Beyond that, it's just some elbow grease and maybe some penetrating oil. Youtube probably has a few videos on it. I'd check there first if you need a kick-start.

 

[FroggyMcNasty]

YouTube was a bunch of hillbillies burning them our and they will not let me do that at the hobby shop on the AFB here. But thanks man that should all work then. They have a manual and hydraulic press.

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[Bullitt5339]

I had to do mine without burning them out as well, here's the method that I used:

I used the press to get the center eyelet and the majority of the rubber out. I drilled around the rubber as much as possible so that was possible. Then I used a sawzall to cut a slot in the inserts that were left behind and then used an air chisel to fold the inserts over a bit and then drove them out with the air chisel.

I know that sounds easy, but it's actually an irritating job. I can only imagine if my truck had any rust holding those sleeves in.

 

[usaf2006]

Where are you stationed? I'm in the AF, but an at Fort Gordon in Georgia.

 

[FroggyMcNasty]

Mine are almost gone. No rubber at all. So I am hoping it is a bit easier. I guess a whole can of PBblaster should work haha. And I am stationed at Malmstrom up here in Montana.

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[hotkarl]

Ugh. What a crap job. I threw up the white flag and installed new springs and shackles. Around 800 bucks for everything installed. Certain tasks I just don't have it in me anymore to be laying out in the driveway in the cold with torn up knuckles. I pick my battles these days.

 

[Bullitt5339]

Ugh. What a crap job. I threw up the white flag and installed new springs and shackles. Around 800 bucks for everything installed. Certain tasks I just don't have it in me anymore to be laying out in the driveway in the cold with torn up knuckles. I pick my battles these days.

It's a crappy job, but for me it's not $800 worth of crappy job. My worst case scenario was to take them to the machine shop to have them pressed out for $40 or so if my method didn't work.

 

[hotkarl]

Well I had a cracked leaf so I would've had to pull the spring, send it out for repair, whatever. I just bit the bullet and farmed it out. I lost most of my tools in Hurricane Sandy so the thought of laying on my back in the driveway dicking around with crap tools in March didn't sit too well with me. Believe me it sucked shelling out the cash but worth it because I didn't have to deal with it.

 

[Bullitt5339]

Well I had a cracked leaf so I would've had to pull the spring, send it out for repair, whatever. I just bit the bullet and farmed it out. I lost most of my tools in Hurricane Sandy so the thought of laying on my back in the driveway dicking around with crap tools in March didn't sit too well with me. Believe me it sucked shelling out the cash but worth it because I didn't have to deal with it.

Well, that's completely different.

 

[FroggyMcNasty]

Well I paid a total of $16 to do it. But when getting ready to install the new energy suspension bushing. I accidentally ordered 1500 mega cab ones. So threw my old ones back in and am ordering the right set. Crappy for me being down a vehicle for a week. But all in all not that bad with the correct tools and no rust haha

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[FroggyMcNasty]

Actually I cannot even find the bushings for a non mega cab model 1500.

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[Bullitt5339]

Actually I cannot even find the bushings for a non mega cab model 1500.

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Wow, everywhere I've checked doesn't list anything but the factory style rubber ones. I'll keep searching a few other manufacturers though, they've got to be out there for your model. I wonder what the difference is between the 2005 and 2006's?

 

[Bullitt5339]

Found this for you, it may help you out:

http://www.ramforum.com/f46/any_difference_leafsprings_between_05_06_a-38190/

 

[FroggyMcNasty]

Leaf spring cab be interchanged to my understanding. So nothing I know of. All I can find is factory mopar ones and they run $50 a piece for the fonts and $40 a piece for the tears and you have to buy new most shackles at another $40 a piece. I only paid $100 for all the energy stuff.

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[Bullitt5339]

The '03-05 Bushings are around $60. It looks like they'll work with a possible tiny modification from that other thread. The part number is 5.2115 from Energy Suspension. Those are the ones I used on my '04.

 

[FroggyMcNasty]

Thanks Bullitt

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[FroggyMcNasty]

Does anyone have part numbers of their bushings? The dealership here have me and invoice for the parts but gave me four of the same ones on the invoice and on mopar parts online it lists different part # for front and rear bushings.

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[xb1230]

The technique that is used in this video (Zip Gun/bushing splitter and Press) can be leveraged for your bushings :

Eric The Car Guy

The method used is at 13m20s. Will keep you from having to listen to the whole video.
Be prepared for a little fight, especially if they are crusty!

Hope this helps

 

[FroggyMcNasty]

Thanks xb. I used a 20 ton hydraulic shop press and pressed out the centers then used a chisel and ball peen hammer to get the casings out. And they were rusty.