Want to replace bushings in rear leaf spr and shackles

[70 RAG TOP]

Can you replace the bushings in the leaf springs and shackles with the springs still in the car and mounted to the rear end? In other words, can you just remove the bolts, and raise the car up and press the bushings out and the new ones in.  Or is it more involved than that?  Also is it a ***** to get the bushing out of the shackle(the end that is hooked to the rear frame rail)? 
Thanks.

[high perf mopar]

Can you replace the bushings in the leaf springs and shackles with the springs still in the car and mounted to the rear end? In other words, can you just remove the bolts, and raise the car up and press the bushings out and the new ones in.  Or is it more involved than that?  Also is it a ***** to get the bushing out of the shackle(the end that is hooked to the rear frame rail)? 
Thanks.

i cant,,those old bushings need alot of force to remove,,espeacially the front..theres a metal sleeve that needs to be removed to install poly bushings,the ones u want anyway,,the rears almost weld themselves to the hole and shackle.a large pry bar to even get the shackle to slide out..much easier to remove the spring and remove them on the bench,,i had to drill the old rubber bushing from the front eye socket to remove and torch cut the sleeve..

then after installing the poly bushings hone the holes out so that the shackles will go in and out reasonably easy for an easier install.also turn/grind down the outer diameter of the bushings so that when they slip in with force they wont crimp down so tight that u cant slide the shackle bolt in,,because they will,,just did it.. .my 

[anlauto]

At the rear of the leaf spring and 4 rubber bushings that just "fit" into the hole in the spring and the hole in the frame of the car. The rear shackle may be hard to get out as mentioned, you can use a little heat. Once the shakle is out you should be able to pry the bushings out with ease.

The bushing at the front of the spring is more involved. It needs to be pressed in and pressed out. Pretty impossible to do while mounted to the rear axle in my opinion.

It's only my personal choice, but I would stay far away from poly bushings 

[high perf mopar]

It's only my personal choice, but I would stay far away from poly bushings 



why????less chance of suspension deflection.better handling due to the stiffness of the bushing.rubber bushings spongy and collaspeable..bolts stay where there suppose to..explain..just installed them..lol..

if its a noise issue u wont here them over the motor..

[Topcat]

At the rear of the leaf spring and 4 rubber bushings that just "fit" into the hole in the spring and the hole in the frame of the car. The rear shackle may be hard to get out as mentioned, you can use a little heat. Once the shakle is out you should be able to pry the bushings out with ease.

The bushing at the front of the spring is more involved. It needs to be pressed in and pressed out. Pretty impossible to do while mounted to the rear axle in my opinion.

It's only my personal choice, but I would stay far away from poly bushings 

Alan,

Can you give details as to why you believe that?

I'm about to get my leaf springs ready to install so I'm interested in hearing opinions on stock busings vs. Poly/Prothane.

[anlauto]

Hey I didn't mean any disrespect....We all enjoy our cars and the hobby differently.

As I said, it's just "MY" personal choice. I don't like the "stiff" ride that comes with poly bushings and they have the tendency to squeak like heck.... You can't just change one set either. You need to run ALL poly or ALL rubber and not mix them.

I also don't run radial tires on my cars either.....Mine have to have the original PolyGlas or it just won't do.....Like I said personal choice...

 

[high perf mopar]

Hey I didn't mean any disrespect....We all enjoy our cars and the hobby differently.

As I said, it's just "MY" personal choice. I don't like the "stiff" ride that comes with poly bushings and they have the tendency to squeak like heck.... You can't just change one set either. You need to run ALL poly or ALL rubber and not mix them.

I also don't run radial tires on my cars either.....Mine have to have the original PolyGlas or it just won't do.....Like I said personal choice...

 

its all good..using the supplied lube theres no squeaks..personally i think as far as the back end is concerned they ride like buckboards on the street any way..front torsion bar is great..

then again how much of a diff is the bushings as far as ride quality going to make..just a thought...

[Topcat]

When I was going to re build my 340 I used to have, I bought all my suspension.
With that kit, I received Poly rear leaf spring bushings.

Today I found the kit and found the poly eye bushings.
Looking at my leaf spring rubber bushings today; the rubber is cracking.

Doesn't seem they are durable against the elements and dry rot.

[high perf mopar]

When I was going to re build my 340 I used to have, I bought all my suspension.
With that kit, I received Poly rear leaf spring bushings.

Today I found the kit and found the poly eye bushings.
Looking at my leaf spring rubber bushings today; the rubber is cracking.

Doesn't seem they are durable against the elements and dry rot.

poly vs rubber..i'll take the poly..grease em up and install..removing the rubber bushings 2 days ago was no fun..burnt soft wasted mess..it might as well been metal to metal..new tech,,i'll have some of that..

durable agains't the elements..what is..as little as we drive them,,,good to go..

[wiging19]

I bought all new springs when I replaced mine.  After 30 plus years and the addition of two heavier engines it needed it.  I went poly because for me they keep their form over time better.  If they squeak I can't hear that over the sound of my engine and tires squealing so no big deal to me.  Plus for me I only drive my car May thru September so knowing they won't rot during the down time is important to me.  Other than that I only drive the car around the block when the weather allows me too drive it once a month to keep the key parts lubed up.  Knowing my suspension is solid is the most important thing to me.

[Topcat]

I bought all new springs when I replaced mine.  After 30 plus years and the addition of two heavier engines it needed it.  I went poly because for me they keep their form over time better.  If they squeak I can't hear that over the sound of my engine and tires squealing so no big deal to me.  Plus for me I only drive my car May thru September so knowing they won't rot during the down time is important to me.  Other than that I only drive the car around the block when the weather allows me too drive it once a month to keep the key parts lubed up.  Knowing my suspension is solid is the most important thing to me.

I agree with you.

I just found out that I actually had in my possesion Poly eye busings I bought years ago when I was just planning doing the 340. So those are going in.

I remember when I did the first half a$$ resto on my car back in the early 90's, that the eye bushings developed cracks. One of the springs started to tilt due to wear. They were the originals but they just don't seem to last as long I would expect. In fact, the rubber one's that I bought back then are cracking.