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Joined: Mar 2007
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Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
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Chevs of the 40's list rear spring shackles that have rubber bushings and a set that have a steel bushing set. The steel bushing set is more expensive.
Is there any advantage to the steel bushing set?
47 Aerosedan
41 Cabriolet
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
Joined: Jan 2002
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Chevrolet switched to the rubber bushed type in 1949. They require no lubrication and will last for many years and miles. They did offer the "metal" type for taxi service, etc....If were were for my car I would get the rubber.
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Nov 2002
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ChatMaster - 7,000
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ChatMaster - 7,000
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The shackles are also available from some spring shops. I purchased mine from a local shop and they were 1/2 the price of the "specialty suppliers".
Steve D
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 282
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 282 |
I had to replace mine a few yrs ago. I used rubber they weren't too bad to change did it myself.. Come to think of it I do a lot of things myself....
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Hi Fleetboy,
I just had a machine shop press new bushings into my 41 leaf springs. Cost me $60, which I thought was a lot. I tried to do it myself with my large bench vise but thought I would break the vise (I have done that before)and gave up.
The bushings are different prices because they are different bushings. The back leaf spring bushings are all made of metal and are lubricated with a grease fitting. It takes two of these bushings per side. One is mounted in the leaf spring the other in the frame bracket that the leaf spring is attached to. The front bushing is rubber and metal. It should be cheap, it doesn't last do to the deterioration of the rubber.
It is my opinion that the back all metal bushings don't often need replacement if they have been properly greased through the years. You can usually tell their condition by whether you can still get grease to flow through them when you grease them with a grease gun. If your car has been a city vehicle (not exposed to a lot of dirt roads) then they should be in good condition. If your car was on a lot of dirt roads then even regular greasing may have caused some deterioration. I replaced all 6 of mine because I am anal, had everything apart, and bought all the bushings 6 years ago when I didn't know better!!!
If you do try to remove the bushings yourself you will probably find that the ones that are greased can be pressed out with a good large bench vise. This will not necessarily be the case with the front bushing with rubber in it. It will be locked in place by rust due to a lack of any lubrication. I ended up having even quite a time removing one of the front bushings from the car frame. I could not punch out the bolt holding it in the frame bracket, so had to cut the bolt with a hack saw. In fact, I just remembered that I actually still couldn't get it out so cut the whole side off of the bracket because I was junking the frame.
You do want to think through the best way to remove the leaf springs from the car frame. You don't want the rear axle housing, etc. to fall on you or your garage floor. I did this work a week ago and forgot already the best steps to take. If you are interested let me know and I will look at my video tape.
Good luck, Mike
Mike 41 Chevy
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Joined: Jan 2002
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ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
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The front spring eye bushings (Inlox bushings) are rubber encased in steel and with a steel tube inside.
The rubber shackle bushings are jsst rubber, no metal involved, and easy to install.
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 279
Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 279 |
Thanks for all the replies, very helpful
47 Aerosedan
41 Cabriolet
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