Energy Suspension frustrations - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ckhd · 06-23-2005, 10:34 AM

Ugh... I'm changing out all the 33 year old worn out stuff in my suspension & steering on my 'burb. Part of that is E. S. poly bushings for the front and rear.

When I went to put the front back together, the factory spring bolts don't fit inside the new bushings, they are so close, but the bolt is too big around for the new bushing.

Anyone have any ideas on what I can do to get my 'burb back on the road?

Bamm · 06-23-2005, 11:11 AM

Does your bolt have any rust buildup or anything on it? Maybe run it through a wirebrush on a bench grinder, smooth it up a little? Just an idea........Jerry

Russell · 06-23-2005, 01:04 PM

I had the same problem, and it was a buildup of rust on the bolt as Bamm_24 suggested

**Hart_Rod** · 06-23-2005, 01:12 PM

did you buy a complete kit from ES? What was the part number? Are you talking about the body bushings?

Rob

Americanrider · 06-23-2005, 02:38 PM

Have you thought of using a new greaseable shackle bolt? Just do a goggle search and something like this will pop up.
http://www.tellico4x4.com/catalog/in.../cPath/91_2737

tomatocity · 06-23-2005, 05:22 PM

Are you speaking of the bushing bracket? All ES poly bushings come with washers. Does the bolt fit through the washer? I guess the slot in the bushing bracket is approx the same size as the washer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckhd

Ugh... I'm changing out all the 33 year old worn out stuff in my suspension & steering on my 'burb. Part of that is E. S. poly bushings for the front and rear.

When I went to put the front back together, the factory spring bolts don't fit inside the new bushings, they are so close, but the bolt is too big around for the new bushing.

Anyone have any ideas on what I can do to get my 'burb back on the road?

ckhd · 06-23-2005, 05:43 PM

I found a number for E. S. and called them. They asked me a few questions that I have to go figure out and get back with them. It sounds like they are ready and willing to fix whatever is wrong.

I'm talking about the metal sleve that goes through the spring bushings. The outside diameter seems to be fine, but the inside diameter is too small, and my bolts won't fit.

The bolts aren't rusty. Remember I live in (what used to be until two years ago) salt-free Arizona. They are clean too, I think. I'll double check and make sure that's not the problem, but I don't think it is... If it were dirt, wouldn't the threaded part at least fit?

BubbaGreen · 06-23-2005, 06:32 PM

are you using the "original" bolts? I had similiar issue with my originals, they weren't rusted at all, but I went and purchase new grade 8 bolts and what do ya know, they fit without any issues. the difference was extremely slight, but they worked perfectly.

ckhd · 06-23-2005, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubbaGreen

are you using the "original" bolts?

Yes, the 1972 bolts from Chevrolet. I'll go by NAPA and see if a 'new' one is different.

ckhd · 06-30-2005, 05:40 PM

Wanted to post an update.

Come to find out, I had the same problem BubbaGreen had. New bolts that are supposed to be the same size are slightly smaller in diameter and fit. I think E.S. used new bolt deminsions to make the sleeves.

Now to find cross drilled bolts...

jamis · 06-30-2005, 08:41 PM

why cross drilled bolts? If your talking about the bolts with grease fittings, It wont do you any good with the poly bushings because the movement is between the bushing and the sleave, not the sleave and the bolt.... I think????? from what I can remember many years ago, please correct me if I'm wrong. I usally install them with some heavy silicone grease.

ckhd · 07-01-2005, 12:52 AM

E.S. includes some grease and instructions to grease between the bolt and the sleeve. I figured that since it has to be greased, it would be nice to be able to re-grease them.

They do also instruct to grease between the sleeve and bushing. I don't know what moves.

I do know on the rubber ones that the sleves moved in the bushings, because my bolts had absolutely no wear, and the sleeve had cut almost completely through the bushing.

06-23-2005, 10:34 AM	#1
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Energy Suspension frustrations Ugh... I'm changing out all the 33 year old worn out stuff in my suspension & steering on my 'burb. Part of that is E. S. poly bushings for the front and rear. When I went to put the front back together, the factory spring bolts don't fit inside the new bushings, they are so close, but the bolt is too big around for the new bushing. Anyone have any ideas on what I can do to get my 'burb back on the road? __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

06-23-2005, 11:11 AM	#2
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	Does your bolt have any rust buildup or anything on it? Maybe run it through a wirebrush on a bench grinder, smooth it up a little? Just an idea........Jerry __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

06-23-2005, 01:04 PM	#3
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	I had the same problem, and it was a buildup of rust on the bolt as Bamm_24 suggested __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

06-23-2005, 01:12 PM	#4
Hart_Rod ************* Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 17,858	did you buy a complete kit from ES? What was the part number? Are you talking about the body bushings? Rob __________________ Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3

06-23-2005, 05:43 PM	#7
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	I found a number for E. S. and called them. They asked me a few questions that I have to go figure out and get back with them. It sounds like they are ready and willing to fix whatever is wrong. I'm talking about the metal sleve that goes through the spring bushings. The outside diameter seems to be fine, but the inside diameter is too small, and my bolts won't fit. The bolts aren't rusty. Remember I live in (what used to be until two years ago) salt-free Arizona. They are clean too, I think. I'll double check and make sure that's not the problem, but I don't think it is... If it were dirt, wouldn't the threaded part at least fit? __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

06-23-2005, 02:38 PM	#5
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	Have you thought of using a new greaseable shackle bolt? Just do a goggle search and something like this will pop up. http://www.tellico4x4.com/catalog/in.../cPath/91_2737

06-23-2005, 06:32 PM	#8
BubbaGreen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 686	are you using the "original" bolts? I had similiar issue with my originals, they weren't rusted at all, but I went and purchase new grade 8 bolts and what do ya know, they fit without any issues. the difference was extremely slight, but they worked perfectly. __________________ 71 Chevy C-10 SWB Fleetside RamJet-350/4L60e & Compushift/3.73Posi See it at www.prismnet.com/~grzanich

06-30-2005, 05:40 PM	#10
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Wanted to post an update. Come to find out, I had the same problem BubbaGreen had. New bolts that are supposed to be the same size are slightly smaller in diameter and fit. I think E.S. used new bolt deminsions to make the sleeves. Now to find cross drilled bolts... __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

06-30-2005, 08:41 PM	#11
jamis F.A.S.T. president Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 1,883	why cross drilled bolts? If your talking about the bolts with grease fittings, It wont do you any good with the poly bushings because the movement is between the bushing and the sleave, not the sleave and the bolt.... I think????? from what I can remember many years ago, please correct me if I'm wrong. I usally install them with some heavy silicone grease. __________________ F.A.S.T. President and Founder Fabricators for the Advancement of Sawsall Technology "A fear of the Sawsall is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." ~Sigmund Freud, "General Introduction to Psychoanalysis"

07-01-2005, 12:52 AM	#12
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	E.S. includes some grease and instructions to grease between the bolt and the sleeve. I figured that since it has to be greased, it would be nice to be able to re-grease them. They do also instruct to grease between the sleeve and bushing. I don't know what moves. I do know on the rubber ones that the sleves moved in the bushings, because my bolts had absolutely no wear, and the sleeve had cut almost completely through the bushing. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

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