How to replace spring eye bushings

[griesel72]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

Jeff

[msgross]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

O.K. .....

maybe a few HARD raps from a hammer!

[msgross]

Originally Posted by OldCreek

O.K. .....

maybe a few HARD raps from a hammer!

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

[GMCStepside]

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,