How to replace spring eye bushings - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

griesel72 · 02-06-2008, 02:16 AM

any one know how i could replace the spring eye bushings in the front of my K10. Is there any particular bushing that i should buy

thanks
David

cobinder · 02-06-2008, 03:48 AM

Take your drill with 3/16" bit. Drill as many holes as you can in the rubber. When it's weak enough you can punch out the rubber. Then take your sawsall or hacksaw and cut the steel bushingdown one side. Tip: cut it where the spring meets it's self to form the circle. That way you have more working room with your blade so you don't cut the spring, and you have room to drive a screwdriver behind the cut so you can fold the cut bushing towards the center and it will fall out.
Then wire bottle brush (like plumbers use) the inside of the spring and spray it the color of your springs and install these http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/greasebushings.htm

And you'll never have to worry about them again.

1969K10 · 02-06-2008, 03:49 AM

Unbolt spring, and let down slowly. with any luck, you can pry/poke/convince the bushing out. otherwise use a torch and a nose plug. You can find replacements thru vendors on this board, or other places. rubber vs poly, it's all up to you & your checkbook.

msgross · 02-06-2008, 12:48 PM

I took mine off, torched out the rubber, and then used an air chisel on the outer sleeve. Then replaced with energy suspension urethane bushings....

it's a big pain in the butt... I would just replace the springs if they are shot, unless you like a few hours of nasty work and still spend $40 for bushings...

chipflyer · 02-06-2008, 01:31 PM

Hey guys, it might be a silly question but can it be done without completely removing the spring?

Jeff

msgross · 02-06-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipflyer

Hey guys, it might be a silly question but can it be done without completely removing the spring?

Jeff

i doubt it would be very easy... the factory bushings are pressed in. The outer sleeve (inside the eye) is very, very stubborn. And I doubt that you want to burn the rubber out while attached to your truck. Once you start it then you are committed to getting it done until you can move the truck.... Might be better to take it to a shop to press them back out.... It's only 8 more nuts to take both springs off all the way.

va_tlc · 02-06-2008, 08:56 PM

i agreee with msgross, most trucks still have the metal cage thing that keeps the front of the spring from coming down completly, i used a torch and a big hammer and alot of a$$,t o remove em,

cobinder · 02-07-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobinder

Take your drill with 3/16" bit. Drill as many holes as you can in the rubber. When it's weak enough you can punch out the rubber. Then take your sawsall or hacksaw and cut the steel bushingdown one side. Tip: cut it where the spring meets it's self to form the circle. That way you have more working room with your blade so you don't cut the spring, and you have room to drive a screwdriver behind the cut so you can fold the cut bushing towards the center and it will fall out.
Then wire bottle brush (like plumbers use) the inside of the spring and spray it the color of your springs and install these http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/greasebushings.htm

And you'll never have to worry about them again.

Try this method, it won't burn your truck up and doesn't require a lot of BFH to remove the old bushings.

OldCreek · 02-07-2008, 11:20 AM

I've got removing a sleeve/bushing down to a few minutes a piece!

Take your torch and get the sleeve sizzling hot. The rubber around it will melt and the sleeve will slide out... as slick as.... You'll then be able to get the rubber out almost as easy. However, the rubber will probably catch fire and will, at the minimum, stink horribly. I just pat it with my gloves to extinguish it. The rubber will need to be replaced. It's a touch messy as the rubber turns to an oily mess... permanently.

Try not to let the neighbors see you... you might get some dirty looks.

msgross · 02-07-2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCreek

I've got removing a sleeve/bushing down to a few minutes a piece!

Take your torch and get the sleeve sizzling hot. The rubber around it will melt and the sleeve will slide out... as slick as.... You'll then be able to get the rubber out almost as easy. However, the rubber will probably catch fire and will, at the minimum, stink horribly. I just pat it with my gloves to extinguish it. The rubber will need to be replaced. It's a touch messy as the rubber turns to an oily mess... permanently.

Try not to let the neighbors see you... you might get some dirty looks.

I agree that it's easy to get the rubber out, but the outer sleeve is a PITA without a press

OldCreek · 02-08-2008, 03:38 PM

msgross,
agree with you too. I took a sawzall and cut the outer sleeve where the leaf wrapped over to itself. There's a small relief at that spot so that you're not cutting into the leaf itself. Then I pryed the outer sleeve away from the leaf with a flat blade screwdriver and soon enough you'll be able to knock it out with a few light raps from a hammer.
Hopefully, there's not much rust holding those pieces together!

OldCreek · 02-08-2008, 03:40 PM

O.K. .....

maybe a few HARD raps from a hammer!

msgross · 02-09-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCreek

O.K. .....

maybe a few HARD raps from a hammer!

yeah, i needed a bigger hammer too....

GMCStepside · 04-27-2008, 07:23 AM

i usually use a sharp punch to cut the inner sleeve and a big hammer hitting down on it, AFTER I TORCH THEM OUT AND LET THEM BURN , im going to attempt to press mine out at work...70 ton press,

02-06-2008, 02:16 AM	#1
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	How to replace spring eye bushings any one know how i could replace the spring eye bushings in the front of my K10. Is there any particular bushing that i should buy thanks David __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

02-06-2008, 03:48 AM	#2
cobinder Everything is work in progress Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 326	Re: How to replace spring eye bushings Take your drill with 3/16" bit. Drill as many holes as you can in the rubber. When it's weak enough you can punch out the rubber. Then take your sawsall or hacksaw and cut the steel bushingdown one side. Tip: cut it where the spring meets it's self to form the circle. That way you have more working room with your blade so you don't cut the spring, and you have room to drive a screwdriver behind the cut so you can fold the cut bushing towards the center and it will fall out. Then wire bottle brush (like plumbers use) the inside of the spring and spray it the color of your springs and install these http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/greasebushings.htm And you'll never have to worry about them again. __________________ Good luck with your truck! How much?! It's just an old truck part!! 49 International on a 80 GMC 3/4ton 4x4 chassis 48 International KB-5 2 ton dump bed 04 Honda CRF "500" 09 Honda CRF450 fuel injected rocket 03 Suzuki hayabusa carbonfiber wheeled monster. 02 Ford diesel stretch van (toy hauler) 01 38' Monaco diesel pusher motorhome Last edited by cobinder; 02-06-2008 at 04:27 AM.

02-06-2008, 03:49 AM	#3
1969K10 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Clarks Hill, Indiana Posts: 733	Re: How to replace spring eye bushings Unbolt spring, and let down slowly. with any luck, you can pry/poke/convince the bushing out. otherwise use a torch and a nose plug. You can find replacements thru vendors on this board, or other places. rubber vs poly, it's all up to you & your checkbook. __________________ 1969 K10 - V8, 465, 205, 12 bolt, D44 2002-current 1969 K20 - V8, 465, 221, Eaton, D44 2012-current Nothin' but drums on all 4 corners! past horses in the stable 72 C10-short step (97-02), 68 C10-long fleet (06-12)

02-06-2008, 12:48 PM	#4
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: How to replace spring eye bushings I took mine off, torched out the rubber, and then used an air chisel on the outer sleeve. Then replaced with energy suspension urethane bushings.... it's a big pain in the butt... I would just replace the springs if they are shot, unless you like a few hours of nasty work and still spend $40 for bushings... __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

02-06-2008, 01:31 PM	#5
chipflyer Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Topeka, Ks Posts: 2,293	Re: How to replace spring eye bushings Hey guys, it might be a silly question but can it be done without completely removing the spring? Jeff __________________ I'm not a pessimist, I'm just optimistic that bad things are going to happen. 1971 Cheyenne Super K10 - tilt, cruise, air, am/fm, tow hooks, factory buckets! 1986 Jeep J10 pickup, - 5.3L Vortec with 4L60e and NP241.

02-06-2008, 08:56 PM	#7
va_tlc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: VIRGINIA Posts: 905	Re: How to replace spring eye bushings i agreee with msgross, most trucks still have the metal cage thing that keeps the front of the spring from coming down completly, i used a torch and a big hammer and alot of a$$,t o remove em, __________________ 1969 rs 1966fastback 1969swbc/10 2006gt 1972swb4x4

02-07-2008, 11:20 AM	#9
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: How to replace spring eye bushings I've got removing a sleeve/bushing down to a few minutes a piece! Take your torch and get the sleeve sizzling hot. The rubber around it will melt and the sleeve will slide out... as slick as.... You'll then be able to get the rubber out almost as easy. However, the rubber will probably catch fire and will, at the minimum, stink horribly. I just pat it with my gloves to extinguish it. The rubber will need to be replaced. It's a touch messy as the rubber turns to an oily mess... permanently. Try not to let the neighbors see you... you might get some dirty looks. __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263

02-08-2008, 03:38 PM	#11
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: How to replace spring eye bushings msgross, agree with you too. I took a sawzall and cut the outer sleeve where the leaf wrapped over to itself. There's a small relief at that spot so that you're not cutting into the leaf itself. Then I pryed the outer sleeve away from the leaf with a flat blade screwdriver and soon enough you'll be able to knock it out with a few light raps from a hammer. Hopefully, there's not much rust holding those pieces together! __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263

02-08-2008, 03:40 PM	#12
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: How to replace spring eye bushings O.K. ..... maybe a few HARD raps from a hammer! __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263

04-27-2008, 07:23 AM	#14
GMCStepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Langley BC Posts: 13	Re: How to replace spring eye bushings i usually use a sharp punch to cut the inner sleeve and a big hammer hitting down on it, AFTER I TORCH THEM OUT AND LET THEM BURN , im going to attempt to press mine out at work...70 ton press, __________________ 1980 stepside project, all original, 77,000KM, 292 / 4 speed soon to be dropped, and on 295/50 15s out back 1981 long box, 9 inch all susp, 38s, 1 ton 4:56. awaiting trans/tcase and work! Last edited by GMCStepside; 04-27-2008 at 07:24 AM.



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