The leaf spring bushings need replacing

[Raider L]

Tuesday I finally got in my leaf spring bushing set I have been waiting on. I originally ordered the wrong size. I found my original receit that was when I had the suspension rebuilt. That way I could see the size I needed for the size leaf spring I have on my truck. So if anyone is needing leaf spring poly bushings for their truck, I guess '73-'80, although the one's for my truck are for the 4x4 leaf springs, 1 1/2" eye.

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This is the part number.

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This is what you get in one set, enough to do both sides, each eye on each end of the spring, and the shackle links. If you go to the Energy Suspension site it's....difficult to say the least to come up with the exact set of bushings for you truck. On the site there are leaf spring bushings sets for '73 to '74 trucks, but it's a little different number for '73 - '80 trucks. That's why I usually call them. They are very helpful. Then you take the number they give you and go to Summit and get the one's you need. I don't think you can buy straight from Energy Suspension. I should know since I've bought so much from them, but it slips my mind if you can buy from them right now.

 

[Raider L]

@Grit dog, @Bextreme04, @bucket, @Bennyt, @Hotrod PC, any of you guys, @RecklessWOT, @Frankenchevy, @nebeshin, and if I forgot anyone, and I'm sure I did, please forgive me,

The weird thing is the picture I was looking at, same as above pic, on both the Energy Suspension site and the Summit site showed a box set that had four bushings in it and two sleeves. That's enough to do both eyes but not the shackle link. So I knew I needed two sets, one package for each side but a third package so I could do the shackle links. So I ordered three sets. I didn't pay any attention to the price, I needed them and I bought them. Except only when I got the box I thought it was kinda big for three little packages, four bushings and two sleeves each, of bushings. So I open the box and there must have been some kind of mix up on the pictured product on their site because each package of bushings was the entire set, enough to do both sides including the shackle links in one package! Now I've got three of them!!

Soooo, would any of you like to buy these extra sets of bushings? If you have 1 1/2" i.d. eye leaf springs contact me at my email and you can send me a money order and I'll pay shipping. I want what I paid Summit for them, or $57.12 ea. or if you want the two extra sets I have, for you guys with more than one truck, I'll let you have them for a even $100.00, and I'll cover the shipping. Each set is enough to do both sides of springs including the shackle. And if you don't mind Red, it's the old saying, you can have any color so long as it's Red.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I don’t need any bushings. I have an extra complete set of ORD greasable bushings/shackle bolts worth about $200 sitting around collecting dust.

 

[Raider L]

@Frankenchevy,

Okay, that's fine and yeah I understand.

So is there anyone else? The only thing I'd do is send them back to Summit for a refund, but I'd rather give someone else a opportunity to do their leaf springs.

 

[Bextreme04]

@Frankenchevy,

Okay, that's fine and yeah I understand.

So is there anyone else? The only thing I'd do is send them back to Summit for a refund, but I'd rather give someone else a opportunity to do their leaf springs.

I’d just return them to summit if I was you. it’s less headache for everyone. If someone I else gets them and they don’t fit or they don’t like them, they can’t return them now and only saved a few bucks. I just got all my stuff on tonight for the rear. Shackle flip, 97 K2500 60” rear leaf packs and all new ORD greasable Kevlar bushings.

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[AuroraGirl]

Hah, actually I've been told it rides like a lumber wagon. But I just like to think it rides like a 4 wheel drive full size truck from the 80s on leaf springs.

Sure it does "wiggle and swerve", but I expect it to do so especially with the stock steering shaft so I just kind of plan for it and captain it down the road like the boat that it is. I still typically outpace most people with "normal" vehicles without even thinking about it as that's my normal driving style, and something about being familiar with the way my vehicle feels when I drive it .

Hah, seriously if the suspension geometry ever suddenly changed while I was driving it it might be a surprise, but even on vehicles I've owned that had completely snapped springs (coils or leafs) if I'm used to the way it feels it's a non-issue to me as I can predict the way it will react to my input.

You're right, these trucks would probably feel noticeably better with new bushings, but honestly the thought of changing leaf spring bushings on any truck that I wasn't also in the process of lifting has never once crossed my mind. I'd probably consider changing rear brake shoes before I did that lol

I wouldn’t know what to do if I rode in a square without it being like a lumber wagon. Ever since being in dads 75 k25 400, np203, th350 to my 80 K25 350 np208 sm465 and shot everything on private land, I wouldn’t know what to do. Also brakes, haven’t drove a square with rear brakes yet. I drove the 75 when I had my permit... kinda freaky lugging that large of an object to a stop sign and when you press the brake it just doesn’t really do much LOL esp as a 15 year old girl who has spent about 5 hours driving.

also wouldn’t be complete with having to count the detents to get into gear because
“dad it says between referees and neutral and it’s going forward”

lol

did appreciate the sloppy 1 finger steering and he sound and the feel. Was kinda bad ass

drove a 2015 Silverado and it took about 15 seconds and I felt bored

 

[Bextreme04]

I wouldn’t know what to do if I rode in a square without it being like a lumber wagon. Ever since being in dads 75 k25 400, np203, th350 to my 80 K25 350 np208 sm465 and shot everything on private land, I wouldn’t know what to do. Also brakes, haven’t drove a square with rear brakes yet. I drove the 75 when I had my permit... kinda freaky lugging that large of an object to a stop sign and when you press the brake it just doesn’t really do much LOL esp as a 15 year old girl who has spent about 5 hours driving.

also wouldn’t be complete with having to count the detents to get into gear because
“dad it says between referees and neutral and it’s going forward”

lol

did appreciate the sloppy 1 finger steering and he sound and the feel. Was kinda bad ass

drove a 2015 Silverado and it took about 15 seconds and I felt bored

Mine wasn't too terribly harsh before, but it definitely wasn't smooth either. The 13x3.5" drums in the back make this thing stop on a dime, even with 3 or 4,000lbs in the back.

There are really two things that I don't skimp on with any vehicle, steering and brakes. Engine, trans, cosmetics... whatever, it might leave you stranded but no one is going to die from peeling paint. Its just not worth killing yourself or others with a 6,000lb vehicle you can't control.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Mine wasn't too terribly harsh before, but it definitely wasn't smooth either. The 13x3.5" drums in the back make this thing stop on a dime, even with 3 or 4,000lbs in the back.

There are really two things that I don't skimp on with any vehicle, steering and brakes. Engine, trans, cosmetics... whatever, it might leave you stranded but no one is going to die from peeling paint. Its just not worth killing yourself or others with a 6,000lb vehicle you can't control.

I agree. Lol. My dad is the one who’s not super on it.. I won’t bring my square on a road till I fix the back brake line and wheel cylinder and the forward hoses(rear hoses prob need some love too). They may work technically but I can’t stop that if it starts rolling and I live on top of a big hill lol. And I also am not dumb. My car has good brakes. Only if the trans worked...

 

[Raider L]

I've taken @Bextreme04's advice and I shipped them back To Jegs for a refund. Thanks.