i installed new leaf springs on my dart about 3,000 miles ago. i was looking at them today and noticed that one of the bushings on the shackle bolt is crushed and has ripped nearly off!

i tightened them to exact spec, which is 30ft/lbs. but the bushings are not evenly compressed on either side, (they work in pairs) on all four pairs (2 pair per spring) one side is more compressed than the other.

what does this mean about my cars suspension and am i going to have to drop that stupid thing and put on a new bushing? it takes a long time and i had the luxury of 3 jacks back when i did the work, i now only have one.

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God took you away, then brought you back to me.

Just an idea: Did you torque down the fasteners with the weight of the car on them?

yep, followed chilton, got the nut on, put the weight on the tires, bounced the car, then torqued to 30 lbs.

is there any way to just take off the shackle pins and put in new bushings without dissasembling the whole spring assembly?

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God took you away, then brought you back to me.

The JC Whitney spring set we got had absurdly poor rear bushings with it. They are easy and cheap to replace. Even Dennis will tell you this is a good place for some poly bushings.


Plan on 2 hours with 1 jack,,,do one side at a time.....leave the fronts connected.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

where can i find polyurethane bushings?
and should i use the jack on the underbody of the car or on the axle?
should i leave the u-bolts connected or just the front of the spring?
if you could give me a little procedural outline your time might be rewarded by good car karma from the cosmos!

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God took you away, then brought you back to me.

Summit Racing lists the Energy Suspension poly bushings for 62-76 "A" body cars.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

i'm pretty sure there are two sizes for these bushings. you may want to measure the spring eye to be sure.

-james

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There are two sizes, 2" and 1.5" (not positive on second). I have used the 2" ones, which are the standard for later Mopars without modification.

I recently bought a set of the "small" spring eye bushings and the fronts were too big by about 1/8". They must be for an early Mustang or something and I had to turn them down to get them to fit.

1975 car should have the 2" bushings, so probably no worries.

FYI...

Lou

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