Leaf spring bushing replacement

[@teaganuh13]

9 years for this video, it's a dame good video 👍

[@jjhenson5047]

This video is amazing. My friend and I had been working at removing a leaf spring bushing for 12 hours. After watching this video it took us five minutes. Thank you so much for the video!

[@americanguy4646]

Good to hear!! Glad it helped. You are welcome.

[@PerilNotion]

Pi p9

[@einarreitz3571]

Nicely done bro...I've been a professional mechanic for 30 years and I've done spring bushings this way forever. If I was going to do a youtube video on this repair..it would have been done this way by the tee... 5 stars!

[@americanguy4646]

Thanks!!

[@BettinHuge]

Good helpful video. I could see your kid videoing in the chrome bumper. Saw he had his earmuffs on. Good call. A lot of times we just go at the work and not think about. The hazards till too late. Teach 'em safety while they're young and they do retain the lesson. I used your air hammer idea and it helped immensely Thanks a bunch.

[@americanguy4646]

Bettin Huge Good eye seeing that in the reflection. :) I agree completely with regard to the safety especially since it is tough to find good help-gotta take care of them! Glad the video helped.

[@elitecystuning]

Thanks man I’m finishing mine later today the steel bushing race needs come out thanks🤘

[@Tigersfan829]

Of course nothing ever goes as easy as when people in tutorial videos do it, I spent 6 hours trying to get mine out alternating between heat, a jigsaw (I was doing the back one, no room for a sawzall), and an air chisel. It kept coming out in chunks at first but it finally slipped out as one piece. Thanks for the video, never would have gotten it out without your technique!

[@americanguy4646]

Awesome, glad it helped!

[@Claps1775]

Thank you! I was wondering how to remove my bushing in my leaf spring. I never thought about what you did but now I know.

[@americanguy4646]

Glad it helped!

[@Claps1775]

American Guy Now I need to press in the 1/4 that is not moving by a hammer. Home made press. sockets, threaded rod, washer, and wrenches. It worked great. the metal around the bushing took the longest to get out.

[@jonathonbaum2654]

One thing I’ve done worth mentioning is take a drill bit you can afford to lose and work it between the leaf spring and the bushing “usually” you can get it to work around the bushing freely loosing it up in there then take your air hammer or BFH and they pop right out

[@waynepiaskowski7655]

thanks a lot for the ideas fellas. Great video. I was looking for a better way to remove the rubber from the spring. I wont use fire because that ruins the temper of the metal causing possible metal fatigue fracture down the road. I really like the hole saw idea!

[@SnakeRiverFishing]

my 35 dollar ebay deal on the very basic ball joint C press tool kit pushes the center sleeves of these bushings right out using no cups like it was made for it then the rubber is much easier to pry out with just a couple flat screwdrivers

[@jethrothomas3345]

This helped me big time, thank you. Doing a 1970 f250.

[@americanguy4646]

Jethro Thomas Awesome, I am glad it helped. BTW, cool truck-I love the Fords from that era, especially the crew cabs.

[@zerchdafirst5994]

Wait!!! it's that a Red underwear that you used to clean after remove the sleeve! That's Soo Cool!!!!! Never saw that before 👏👏👏👏🖖

[@americanguy4646]

Haha, it was an old T-shirt of mine but I did watch that part again and it does look like it!

[@zerchdafirst5994]

@@americanguy4646 Great video Sr,it will help me to fix my bushings on My 95 Chevy also clever idea to replace them with the polyurethane,now got a ❓ Are the same size the rear ones and the front ones from the leaf?👍

[@americanguy4646]

@@zerchdafirst5994 On this truck both the front and rear bushings on the front leaf springs were both 2". The shackle bushing was much smaller. The rear leaf spring bushings were much smaller in diameter than the front bushings. As far as your '95 Chevy, I don't know if they are the same size; if you go to some of the polyurethane bushing company websites, they offer that information on their site as an aid to parts identification.

[@zerchdafirst5994]

@@americanguy4646 thanks for the info,i will check it out before,I star work on it 👍👍🖖

[@kvf8457]

I just pushed mine out with a clutch pack compressor for rebuilding transmissions, took a couple minutes and they come out in one piece.

[@pickles1st]

i use map gas to heat up the sleeve then i usr a bolt to pull the sleeve out it takes about 2 mins

[@RalphSampson...]

Eaton Detroit has a KZbin video. They say heat beyond 400 will challenge the integrity of the leaf steel. Does the map gas not get that hot?

[@Hf0205]

Hello, Question. Im trying to install front sway bars for my motorhome. It says the bracket bushing attaches to the front eye bolt leaf spring. How do i go about removing the eye bolt to install the bracket inbetween and re install the bolt. Do i need to jsck up the axle or can i do this with the vehicle on ground front end tires touching ground. Just unbolt add brackket and then re install bolt? Thank you

[@americanguy4646]

Is this regarding the 2008 4200? I would need more information. This might be a good question for the manufacturer of your sway bars as it sounds like an aftermarket add-on. If you are talking about pulling the bolts that hold the leaf spring to a mount/shackle, be very careful as those bolts are part of what is holding up the vehicle. If you pull those bolts, the vehicle will fall, unless supported.

[@Hf0205]

@American Guy yes sir. It's for 2008 4200 motorhome international. Pulling the bolts out to add a shackle that will support and hold the front sway bars. Aftermarket add on. So that being said, I'll have to bottle jack the front end lift the truck off the ground? And thank you for getting back to me.

[@americanguy4646]

@@Hf0205 If I understand this correctly, you will want to place jacks under each frame rail to support the motorhome. The vehicle will need to be raised to take the weight off the springs/axle. Then you should then be able to pull the bolts and everything (axle and vehicle) should stay put allowing you to add on your shackle. This is a good time to inspect the bolts and nuts. Being a motorhome, the miles are likely such that the bolts will be in good shape, but I would consider replacing the nuts with a new locking nut. I say this not having worked on one of those Internationals, so use good judgement and wisdom when making these decisions. You can also refer to the manufacturers repair manual.

[@getzfan1258]

Thanks for posting! It was a big help!

[@americanguy4646]

Awesome! Glad it helped!

[@johnwi8256]

Awesome video, well explained. Thanks for posting.

[@americanguy4646]

+John Wi Absolutely, I am glad it helped. Thanks for the feedback.

[@laymensgrowing2032]

if you use a torch and saw it goes rather quick ive seen. you first cut the mushroomed head off then torch the leaf so it losens from the rubber bushing, then pop it out. nice vid though and thanks for showing. I would have just bought oem but these bushings look sick.

[@johnnylaw9840]

If you take a small propane torch and heat the metal tube bushing up be carful not the breath in the burning rubber fumes the metal collar will push thru fairly easy then Using a piece of round stock

[@jeffquinn5653]

Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.

[@americanguy4646]

Thank you!

[@alexanderdejarnette874]

I can't find the service manual anywhere. Where did you get it

[@americanguy4646]

I got it at helminc.com but I just went there and checked and all that shows is a link to a Ford online data subscription site. Looks as though the paper manuals are no longer available. I would try ebay or a website along those lines. Good luck!

[@darrinsiberia]

Would a 1997 Explorer Rear of Rear Leaf Spring Bushing be easier than this?

[@americanguy4646]

Shouldn't be too bad, but the smaller the bushing, the more difficult it is because you have less room to get tools in there to remove bushing material. Good luck!

[@mark109s]

Great video, helped me out a lot

[@americanguy4646]

Good to hear, thank you.

[@aubrey5939]

Great work 👍

[@americanguy4646]

Thank you!

[@cliff-ranger4879]

I have no pneumatic tools. do you think just melting the rubber out with a blowtorch would work? if so, then how would I tackle the metal sleeve? I'm guessing a flathead and a hammer are out of the question.

[@americanguy4646]

+Cliff-Ranger48 Sorry, I do not have a solid answer for you. You will need to do some more research to get your answers. The way I understand it, the springs are heat treated, and if so, a torch would change the temper of the steel, most likely weakening it-something like a cracked leaf spring stack as I go down the interstate is an unacceptable risk to me. A flathead and a hammer are not out of the question, as long as you have A LOT of time. Like months. Maybe you could look into renting a compressor and air hammer from one of the local equipment places? Best of luck.

[@25BEDFORD]

I can tell you from experience this weekend that hammer and screwdriver will not punch the metal sleeve out. I tried 5# hammer, chisels, punches but no luck. I tried ball joint press with collars, washers, and sockets, and still no luck after 6 hours!!! I finally went to Home Depot the next day and bought an air hammer and reciprocating saw, but found I was most successful with air hammer with punch bit, as it chiseled and punched those sleves right out. These were original bushings, so metal to metal bonding. Take steps by pushing out inner metal sleeve, then rubber bushing, then finally working on outer metal sleeve, your job will be much easier. May be worth investing in a Harbor Freight pancake compressor and air hammer as a "Budget Alternative", since you do not have pneumatic tools. Best of luck to you..

[@ItsMeJbird]

what size is the outside diameter of that bushing? And he size od the bolt hole in the sleve? Thanks

[@americanguy4646]

The front leaf spring eyelet bushings are 2" on this pickup. The front shackle bushings are smaller. If you buy the 2" bushing kit from Energy Suspension the correct sized shackle bushings are included. As far as the bolt hole goes, I don't know. The book would have it, or you could check when you take your vehicle apart.

[@ItsMeJbird]

+American Guy thanks man, I got mine apart and I am having a hard time finding them for my 97 E-150 for the rear spring front eye. They are 1 5/8 o.d. with a 5/8 bolt hole, 2 1/2 spring. Just trying to find some that will work.

[@americanguy4646]

No problem. I went to Energy Suspension's website and they do make a kit for the '97 Econolines, but only the E-250's and E-350's. I wonder if a phone call to the company would get you the answer you need (they could tell you if they make a kit for that vehicle-if they don't call one of the other bushing manufacturers).

[@alb12345672]

there is a kit to remove upper control arm bushings to rent at advance. it has a smaller c clamp than a ball joint kit. perfect for these jobs. take 10 seconds with an impact.

[@nicholaselias8542]

To remove the spring bushing' after getting the rubber core out, do you think a press tool using a screw and various cups would also work?

[@americanguy4646]

+nicholas elias If I understand your question correctly, you are asking about using a press tool to remove the steel sleeve that is left in the leaf spring eyelet after removing the rubber. That would work fine, but you will need to make sure your "cup" is sized close to perfect as the steel sleeve is very thin. I hope this helps.

[@mchl8]

one piece bushing is so simple, getting put of shackle is the worst after that drill out rubber if or as necessary it will push out or fall out after center sleeve removed . afterwords 2 cuts lightly of outer sleeve . curl it over done at that point.

[@LisaEppler]

All i need is a video showing me the correct way to put it back together. Been fighting it all morning. Rear are all done. Lining up the front bushing to the frame is a motherf****

[@americanguy4646]

Try some big pry bars or even a come along to bring the spring back into alignment with the shackle. Just be careful when doing so, as you are elevating the risk of injury.

[@LisaEppler]

What i had tondo was completely take it all back apart, meaning unhook the shock as well as the axial bolts holding down the frame, then take bolt out from the rear shackle, then using the jack lift the axial to to the frame Mount in front before bolting the rear of the shackle. Figured i did it ass backwards, but was being lazy about taking it all back apart. Only spent 3 hours being lazyand 20 minutes to line it up and put back together correctly.

[@colinnakano2127]

Did the shackle bushing have a metal sleeve between the rubber the shackle?

[@americanguy4646]

+Colin Nakano No, there is not a metal sleeve between the shackles and the shackle bushings. Makes it that much easier. :)

[@colinnakano2127]

American Guy awesome thanks did you replace the rear bushings in the front leaf also

[@americanguy4646]

+Colin Nakano Yes, I did replace them. Actually, I replaced all the spring and shackle bushings on the truck-front and rear axles included. I just felt that it was unnecessary to include all that in the video. You will want to replace the rear bushings in the front leaf because after the shackle bushings, they get the most wear since they are attached solid to the frame. Most manufacturers put the shackle at the rear of the leaf and that allows for some movement and less stress and strain on the bushing as you hit bumps or holes in the road. As I see it, Ford should have put the bushing at the rear of the leaf. There are a couple of manufacturers out there that make shackle reversal kits if one decided to put the shackle at the rear of the spring.

[@einarreitz3571]

This works but I think I'll just replace spring assemblies, shackles and hardware all at the same time...I know the parts will cost more but it's all new again, if the front end has 150k on it..I'm also going into all the steering components, ball J's, T-rod,...piece of mind is what matters.

[@patrickfitzwater5511]

How much psi did you have set? Trying to get my bushing out of a 2001 jimmy and my air chisel doesn't seem to want to push anyrhing

[@americanguy4646]

My compressor is still at the factory setting-I think it is 155 PSI, but I was at a neighbors house once and used a little compressor and I had no trouble aside from having to let the tank fill up every so often. I would look more at your air chisel. I would think that it would be the culprit. Possibly your air hose is small and does not allow for a good airflow from compressor to the tool? I hope this helps.

[@patrickfitzwater5511]

American Guy gotcha it's defiantly small tank. I'm using 3/8 hose. I'm thinking they are just so rusted on it's causing problems. I started using a cold chisel and hammer and making a little more improvement

[@americanguy4646]

Good to hear.

[@franciskomagum5276]

it is a nice lesson bless your heart

[@americanguy4646]

Thank you!

[@franciskomagum5276]

you are welcome,i did it when i move for my industrial training and am still in school i know your lesson is my life changing thank you so much

[@americanguy4646]

I am happy to help brother.

[@franciskomagum5276]

thank you

[@youthmanrecords420]

What brand of air chisel did you use ?

[@americanguy4646]

NAPA brand. $65 or so. My local NAPA had it in stock.

[@96powerstroke19]

Did your drivers side shackle pop out to the side after you got it out of the frame?

[@americanguy4646]

Was the shackle still attached to the spring? If so, yes. The springs will move once they are removed from the attach points and can be a chore to get back into place. I have used big bars to pry and even a come-along to move them back in place so that I could install the bolts. I haven't tried it, but removing the track bar to get the springs bolted back up might make it easier. However, putting a track bar back on is a chore as well unless yours is adjustable, but then you need to know how to adjust it once it's back on too. It's pretty much a case of pick your poison.

[@96powerstroke19]

@@americanguy4646 ok thank you it still was

[@everardogarcia1271]

did you have to loosen the front shocks and u-bolts? Or did you just loosen one part of the leaf spring at a time?

[@americanguy4646]

+everardo garcia I did not loosen the shocks or the U-bolts. I just pulled the bolts on the ends of the springs as shown in the video.

[@jd5179]

thnx - helped me a lot!

[@americanguy4646]

Absolutely. I am glad it helped.

[@chrisrye9128]

very helpful information, thank you

[@americanguy4646]

+Chris Rye Glad it helped. :)

[@DarrelllCampbelll]

Sand the poly bushing thoroughly and grease it and it won't squeak

[@danielvan7424]

thankyou,, Learned a lot..

[@americanguy4646]

+Daniel Van Awesome, glad it helped.

[@truebengalsfan]

What issues did the worn leaf spring bushing give you

[@americanguy4646]

Extremely bad outside tire wear on the front right tire and an overall looseness in the steering wheel and the looseness was felt as I would go down the Interstate. I did the bushings on the front axle first and the rear a month or two later, and I noticed that the truck tracked better down the Interstate with each repair, but by far the most noticeable were the bushings on the front axle's leaf springs and shackles.

[@truebengalsfan]

American Guy I had bad tire wear on Both front tires on the inside close to the wheel well wasn't sure if it was from bad alignment and lack of tire rotation

[@americanguy4646]

It sure could be a lack of alignment and rotation, but I think you would have to have your rotation checked to determine if it truly is. The alignment and rotation are basic, important things that need to be done anyway. Over the years, I have been surprised many times by how many seemingly big, complicated car troubles are fixed by simply catching the car up on routine maintenance. I would start with the alignment and rotation and then go from there.

[@ericcuellar7188]

samuel Allen

[@Usmanthemecano]

take a torch and you're done in a few seconds

[@brokeasdope]

I've never replaced leaf spring bushings so I'm not trying to correct your method just trying to ask an honest question. That being said, can't you just press the whole sleeve, bushing and all out of the leaf spring?

[@americanguy4646]

I have never tried it. Give it a shot and let me know how it works out.

[@nicholasdoran]

As someone who's also worked a project like this, most often times no you can't. They are usually bonded and have to be cut, torched, and/or pried out. They can be a real bitch sometimes.

[@threemilesout]

Excellent video! Thanks. I have basically the same shop setup at home as you. How long did the job take from start to finish? I have an 05 excursion diesel, same setup. Thanks again

[@americanguy4646]

Kyle Boyd Hi Kyle, I am glad the video helped. To do the part you saw (front leaf spring bushing and shackle bushing) was about an hour from removing bolts to torquing the bolts back down (does not include time putting vehicle on lift). Using this method removing the old bushings is pretty slick and takes little time. Often times the most difficult and time consuming part is aligning the holes to put the bolts back through. Plan on using various tools like a big punch, prybars, or even a come-along to move the axle forward or rearward. Also, the bushing diameter on these front leaf springs is 2 inches. Other vehicles have smaller diameter bushings which require the use of smaller drill bits (they break) and makes it tougher to get air hammer attachments in there so they can be very difficult. However, like in a lot of cases, persistence will always over come the obstacle, so keep at it!

[@masonc5503]

Very good video! By the way how are the bushings holding up so far? Any noise?

[@americanguy4646]

Thank you! So far, they are holding up just fine. No noise whatsoever, except on one, where a fuel leak basically washed out all the grease I put on the bushing during installation. I should take it apart and re-grease the bushing. I expect that would fix it. The noise is minimal, however. I am still happy with the move to polyurethane bushings.

[@lyetorres3681]

Gracias!!

[@luisnoriega4428]

Gracias 👍👍👍

[@darrinsiberia]

haha I like when it shoots outta there should have dubbed a cat screeching sound or window shattering sound over that.

[@Rocker6478]

Thank you

[@americanguy4646]

You're welcome!!

[@stevenwelland9586]

Looks like that helm.com is something else now (?)

[@americanguy4646]

This will work: www.helminc.com

[@robertlee3734]

if you rap ptf tape around the bushing no squick look on youtube fella

[@komoru]

I'm not sure if you realize you how often you say "Uh" or "Um".

[@jamesburris9539]

Get a touch heat it up and melt the rubber and it comes right out in a lot less time

[@عباس_2011]

كود

[@uscorg]

What size are the 10.9 bolts needed? Mine are gonna have to come out being cut out so I want to be accurate in diameter and length when I order.