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SUSPENSION SPRING BUSHING

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by MRMTRANS, Nov 6, 2020.

  1. Nov 6, 2020 #1
    MRMTRANS

    MRMTRANS Medium Load Member

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    Can a spring bushing on Freightliner Airliner be hammered out fairly easily , and a new one hammered in? Or am I most likely going to use a shop press have to remove it and press the new one in?
     
    MRMTRANS, Nov 6, 2020
    MRMTRANS, Nov 6, 2020
    #1
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  3. Nov 10, 2020 #2
    Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I had mine done by a shop that has the portable air hammer press, made just for the job. By the time you buy new U bolts, pay shop to press them in, might as well just have them done. I think it was 4 hrs labor, or less with the Proper tool. Cuts the total cost in half. I used ATRO poly anti walk bushings. Been a few years. So far so good. You could probably get the old ones out, using a sawzall, die grinder, or torch, but getting the new ones in is pretty tough. With the tool, it’s a breeze. Saves a lot of Labor time. Paying a Shop without the tool, will cost twice the Labor time, plus new U bolts.
     
    Rideandrepair, Nov 10, 2020
    Rideandrepair, Nov 10, 2020
    #2
  4. Nov 10, 2020 #3
    MRMTRANS

    MRMTRANS Medium Load Member

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    This was my solution. I finally broke down and bought a cheap 20 ton shop from Harbor Freight. For those who have never done this job themselves and are considering it, you will never hammer them out. And, as you can see in the picture, you are going to need more than just a shop press. Besides a 2nd pair of hands to hold the spring in place (or a lift-which I already had), you are going to need cylinder tube to push out a nd new one one on the bushing wall. I used a large socket.
     

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    MRMTRANS, Nov 10, 2020
    MRMTRANS, Nov 10, 2020
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  5. Nov 10, 2020 #4
    jamespmack

    jamespmack Road Train Member

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    If they go in a Airliner easy, the spring is shot.
     
    jamespmack, Nov 10, 2020
    jamespmack, Nov 10, 2020
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    Rideandrepair and spsauerland Thank this.
  7. Nov 10, 2020 #5
    MRMTRANS

    MRMTRANS Medium Load Member

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    That makes sense now after having just done this job for the first time. I had rust corrosion on the top plate that bushes the axle seat-which the top of the u-bolts sit-from the spring. I believe that's part of the reason why my air bag and spring would slide inward. It would rust more and turn to dust and create more space between the axle seat and spring, loosening the assembly up. I heated that area with one of those huge propane torches, and cleaned off all of the rust with a wire brush wheel on an angle grinder. Then I filled it with JB Weld steel epoxy. I hope this works.
     
    MRMTRANS, Nov 10, 2020
    MRMTRANS, Nov 10, 2020
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    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  8. Nov 10, 2020 #6
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Metal to metal contact between parts is always the goal. No rust or paint.
     
    AModelCat, Nov 10, 2020
    AModelCat, Nov 10, 2020
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    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  9. Nov 11, 2020 #7
    Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    B0BDB949-2078-43B5-885A-36884AE283D9.jpeg 69DF9B35-C68A-4671-9D61-F9DDA848BBC5.jpeg
    Nice. I just had to change my shock bracket. Same issue rusted plate. It’s part of the spring. Too bad, it cant be changed. The bottom block on mine had a bad casting ridge on it. U bolts must have gotten a little loose, and broke the bracket in line with the ridge on casting. I ground it smooth. New u bolts.
     
    Rideandrepair, Nov 11, 2020
    Rideandrepair, Nov 11, 2020
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    Final Drive and jamespmack Thank this.
  10. Nov 11, 2020 #8
    Final Drive

    Final Drive Road Train Member

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    20201111_181906.jpg

    Yes,if I can do it you can do it...
     
    Final Drive, Nov 11, 2020
    Final Drive, Nov 11, 2020
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  11. Nov 12, 2020 #9
    Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    You can burn the bushing out.

    Then you can take your torch and blow a notch out of the ring that's left

    When installing leave the bushings in the freezer at least overnight or for a few days. Then put anti seize on.

    With the right size socket and a heavy Hammer you can drive them in.
     
    Dino soar, Nov 12, 2020
    Dino soar, Nov 12, 2020
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    Rideandrepair and Final Drive Thank this.
  12. Nov 12, 2020 #10
    Final Drive

    Final Drive Road Train Member

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    ^^^^^^
    This technic also works well while installing a ring gear on a flywheel it will almost drop right in...
     
    Final Drive, Nov 12, 2020
    Final Drive, Nov 12, 2020
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    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
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