Leaf springs shot?

[agnes the dog]

I'm chasing down a rear vibration following an axle swap. I've found that there is some lateral movement in both rear leaf springs, with more on the passenger side. I can grab it by hand and move it back and forth about an inch, maybe a little more. It seems to be rocking on the spring mounting pins, front and rear. I'm assuming the bushings and pins may be shot, but haven't had the time to completely pull the springs. Anyone else run into this? If so, how did you fix it?

[OrrieG]

New bushings unless its bad enough that the spring eyes have been damaged too. When you pull them you will find the existing are an oval instead of circle. Comes from not keeping them lubed. My truck has about 250K on the springs. I bought it in 1976 and lubed it every 90 days (daily driver) and repacked the wheel bearing once year and my spring bushings are still in good shape. A lot of times the grease gets hard in the zerk or inside passage and guys think they are lubing but not so.

[agnes the dog]

Thanks Orrie. I will try to get them out and post pics. The front pins were worn down to about 2/3 of the original diameter. I'm guessing the rears are just as bad. I did have that problem - thinking that I was lubing. New grease fittings and I'm certain they are getting lubed now.

Is there a sleeve/bushing inside the rearward spring mount, where the shackles attach to the truck frame? I know it's threaded, but I have movement it that area as well. Is it possible that the entire mount will need to be replaced?