Question on installing polyurethane leaf spring bushings

[E.D.75GMC]

I purchased the shackle bushing kit from Energy suspension, and I've gotten to the stage where it's time to install a new bushing. Now, it says in the instructions that you have to remove the old metal sleeve that goes between the bushing and the leaf spring shackle eye. I have no easy way or pneumatic tools to remove this sleeve and my question is; is it a bad thing to leave this sleeve in? The new bushings fit inside it well and the sleeves are in good condition and clean inside.

[enaberif]

Sleeve needs to be removed. Get a hacksaw if need be and cut it then use a chisel and punch to get it out of there.

If you don't no bushing will fit.

And good to see another Calgarian

[E.D.75GMC]

Thanks for the quick response, got the first two sleeves cut and pulled out now. Oh hey yeah awesome haha what part of the city are you in?

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by E.D.75GMC

Thanks for the quick response, got the first two sleeves cut and pulled out now. Oh hey yeah awesome haha what part of the city are you in?

sw off bow trail

[E.D.75GMC]

I removed the sleeves off of the lower shackle where it pivots.. but the bushings are VERY loose inside it. Was I supposed to leave the sleeve in this piece??

[jjmorrse]

It has been a long time since I replaced those in a camaro I used to have. Please verify, but I think that if it fit in the sleeves, it probably was meant to have them there, especially if it is now sloppy. Those things should not bind, but they should not have a lot of slack. There is an image of how they are centered in the hole, and how this guy drilled out the rubber. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/chevy...sas-build.html

[enaberif]

Those bushings may not work properly with those springs. This is usually why I measure out before I order for.

You may find by going to Energys site how to measure properly for your springs and see how close yours are to what they recommend.

[E.D.75GMC]

Thanks guys
I found the size chart on Energy Suspensions website and it appears that I ordered the correct set... #3.2126... although I'm not 100% sure the measurements did seem correct with what they had online. The upper shackle bushings fit perfectly. Here's a better picture of what's happening with the lower shackle bushing:

[E.D.75GMC]

And another

[E.D.75GMC]

Contacted Energy Suspension and they told me that you must leave the sleeves in the lower shackle.. would have been nice if they mentioned that on the instructions page where it said to cut the upper ones out!

[Ski-me]

Those look too loose. Site says 1-3/8" eye hole and you may need the 1-1/2" eye hole (slightly larger).

May need 3.2116 or 7803.

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/greasebushings.htm

Look down in the lower paragraph of the Off Road page and you'll see them recommend removing the thin, inner sleeve. So if nothing else, you could source if from ORD. These are the ones I use and yes, I did remove the inner sleeve too.

Also, as you can see it's not a 100% for every truck and sizing does differ from year to year and truck to truck. Hard to pin it down exactly without trying it out.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by E.D.75GMC

Contacted Energy Suspension and they told me that you must leave the sleeves in the lower shackle.. would have been nice if they mentioned that on the instructions page where it said to cut the upper ones out!

Well that is just silly. Those inner sleeves should always be removed and 99% of instructions say otherwise.

[E.D.75GMC]

So went to Napa and picked up a set of sleeves with the bushings already pressed into them for the lower part of the shackle. Does it matter which way the sleeves face? You can see it has a lip around one end which the old ones didn't have. Does this lip go on the outside or on the inside by the frame?

[E.D.75GMC]

Here's what I mean:

[Ski-me]

I'd install it like the second picture. It looks like it would be more flush with the hanger.

[Aaron_L]

I have the Prothane kit on my truck. The instructions said all the sleeves needed to be removed, so I did. They fit very snug without them. Maybe you could get just the Prothane for the shackles.

[77K10Silverado]

Nice thread, thanks for the info.

[Ski-me]

Originally Posted by Ski-me

I'd install it like the second picture. It looks like it would be more flush with the hanger.

Edit: I mean the first pic....sorry!

[E.D.75GMC]

All good Jeff, my father insisted they probably go on the way in the first pic so that's how we did it!

[Ski-me]

Originally Posted by E.D.75GMC

All good Jeff, my father insisted they probably go on the way in the first pic so that's how we did it!

Great to hear. I just posted and then never went back to double check..... Felt bad!

Anyways, glad you got it back together!