Rear leaf spring bushings

[ShuttlePilot]

Originally Posted by pjpvi

Did you buy extra silicon grease or did they come supplied with enough to apply a generous amount?

They only supplied one of those little half ounce tubes with the kit. I bought the small tub, which will be a lifetime supply, so I didn't have to worry about running out. I used Energy Suspensions waterproof grease just to guarantee the best outcome i.e. no chemical reaction with the urethane, etc.

- Eric

[pjpvi]

Originally Posted by ShuttlePilot

They only supplied one of those little half ounce tubes with the kit. I bought the small tub, which will be a lifetime supply, so I didn't have to worry about running out. I used Energy Suspensions waterproof grease just to guarantee the best outcome i.e. no chemical reaction with the urethane, etc.

- Eric

I just ordered the same and will instruct the shop to slather the bushings with it.

Thanks

[arctictraveller]

Originally Posted by pjpvi

Here's photos of passenger and driver side rear spring front mounts. Can see both springs have "slid" to the inside of the van. ...

I installed Alcan springs and had a similar result. In the rear, the spring eye slid over the bushing until it was rubbing on the hanger, as though the bushing was a loose fit in the eye. The front set came with a small tack weld holding the bushing from sliding. Since the bushing center sleeve is wider than the spring eye, if the spring eye can’t slide over the bushing it can’t end up rubbing on the hanger. Also, if the bolts are so tight that the bushing is pinched between the sides of the hanger, the only possible movement is the twisting of the urethane, (and possible tearing) rather than some rotation around the lubricated bolt / bushing interface. Locking nuts will stay tight without the need to over tighten. I recently saw a buddy’s van where the spring shop used an impact to tighten those bolts which resulted in the suspension being sorta bound up, but loosening the bolts improved the situation.

[pjpvi]

Originally Posted by arctictraveller

I installed Alcan springs and had a similar result. In the rear, the spring eye slid over the bushing until it was rubbing on the hanger, as though the bushing was a loose fit in the eye. The front set came with a small tack weld holding the bushing from sliding. Since the bushing center sleeve is wider than the spring eye, if the spring eye can’t slide over the bushing it can’t end up rubbing on the hanger. Also, if the bolts are so tight that the bushing is pinched between the sides of the hanger, the only possible movement is the twisting of the urethane, (and possible tearing) rather than some rotation around the lubricated bolt / bushing interface. Locking nuts will stay tight without the need to over tighten. I recently saw a buddy’s van where the spring shop used an impact to tighten those bolts which resulted in the suspension being sorta bound up, but loosening the bolts improved the situation.

Good input and something I'll look for after I have this done.

[pjpvi]

Does anybody know the torque specs for the spring to hanger, hanger to frame, and spring to frame for the rear? I decided to install these myself.

TIA

[ShuttlePilot]

Posting my response here from a PM conversation as a reference for everyone.

The quick answer looks like both bolts in the shackle 85 lb-ft and the forward spring bolt 295 lb-ft . I just tightened that front one as tight as I could, probably 160 lb-ft which was the highest my big torque wrench went to. This would also be known as many "ugga dugga's" with an impact gun to some engineers. Also I checked torque on all the bolts after driving around town 50 ish miles and again after 300 ish highway miles. Doesn't say that anywhere that's just my preferred practice.

This is a copy from the Ford Service Manual for 2004 models. Thank you to member Geofff for sharing this years ago.

- Eric

[pjpvi]

Thanks Eric! I won't be able to get to 295 either. Maybe I'll do a few ugga dugga's with the impact wrench to top off the 140 that my torque wrench goes to.

[pjpvi]

Eric -

Since I can't seem to attach this in our PM thread I'll post here regarding item #2 in my message.

[ShuttlePilot]

Ok gotcha Phil,


When I was doing various projects on suspension I have utilized several floor jacks, bottle jacks, (the little gear drive bottle jack that came with the van is great for this action) ratchet straps, blocks of wood, and the weight of the van/vehicle to persuade stuff to line up. I probably did all that when I did this project as well, I just don't remember the details. I know that I did not trim the urethane bushing or the bushing flange to complete this. Sometimes the correct answer is to just use all the available thrust. Phil, just please be careful of stored energy in the springs if your using jacks and blocks to move stuff around.

Eric

[pjpvi]

Yep, I needed to use a ratchet strap to align the front bolt hole on one side and I'm using all the other methods you mentioned. I'll get back to it tomorrow probably. Been a busy last few days on non van stuff.