Change the front bushings in your Dakars

It's little things like that that are gems on the web. I can go anywhere and learn how to change brake pads or spark plugs, but things like that are why it's not a bad idea to spend some time reading threads on here. It's pretty easy to spot the bullshit from people that are actually contributing.

 

From what I've seen they are.

 

The stock Dakar bushings also fit 1st gen stock leafs, they're a tight fit but that's good.

 

From what I understand most leaf packs for our application should be about the same size So the bushing will fit. I've admittedly done very little research on the subject, but there really doesn't seem to be too much variance on PU bushing sizes.

 

Make sure to grease the bushing face really well. If they’re dry, that’s where you’ll get binding.

 

i have new full dakar leaf packs that squeek like a mofo,
the bushings are yellow
is this an upgraded bushing set?

 

Yes, older ones were all black. Did you liberally grease the bushings before installing them?

 

Shop did it .
Im about to hose em in ff

 

Lithium grease is actually best.

 

Look carefullly for where the squeak is originating. I chase mine down religiously. I had a situation recently where I though my rear shock had gone bad and could’ve sworn the shock itself was squeaking at the shaft seal. I held the shock with one hand and moved the frame on the truck with the other using my body weight and I could feel the vibration of the squeak in the shock body. Removed the shock and cycled the rear suspension and the squeak was still there. Tracing it down further revealed it was the rubber isolator on the leaf pack retaining bracket that was causing the squeak. Because of the way the suspension moves together it’s important to look carefully for noise sources because the vibration and noises travel through the truck components and the source will be misleading.

Anything you spray will be a temporary fix for noises since they are the result of contact friction and most spays that can wick into the affected area will also eventually evaporate or dry. Once you track down the actual point of origin for the squeak, a high quality grease is your only solution.

 

So the bushing set from wheeler's comes with 4 bushings and 2 sleeves? So order 2 so you can install in the front and rear of BOTH Dakar leaf packs? Also, grease every where possible when it comes to these bushings? I was going to use Valvoline® Moly Fortified Multi-Purpose Grease,

$6 VV633 Valvoline Multi-Vehicle Moly-Fortified Gray Grease 14.1 OZ Cartridge

VV633 tube I got for my SPC UCA's.

 

@GHOST SHIP Make some pullers I'll buy one

 

That's correct, you'll need two sets of bushings to do the front and rear spring eyes on your Dakars. It's been a while, but I think the new Dakars don't come with a front bushing already in place so it kind of makes this thread obsolete, but still good info for those of us that have the old version.
As far as the grease you have, it will work- anything will work really. I've become a fan of Prothane Supergrease since it's super thick and tacky and I can trust that it will stay in place longer than conventional grease. The "ketchup packets" that come with the Wheeler's bushings are the same product so you'll see what I mean when you order. It does come at a hefty price though. Keep in mind, just like your ball joints, you will eventually have to reapply grease as part of your maintenance checklist. Prothane will extend those intervals, IMO, so the cost vs. frequency of use might even out in the long run somewhat.

 

The puller was a homemade I-need-something-in-a-pinch solution and far from something that will fly off the shelf. I've said before if anyone needs it, I'd be happy to forward it to you on the condition that you pass it along to the next guy that needs it, or send it back when you're done.

 

Thanks bud . I'll see what I have lying around might be able to make my own.

 

Did you or anyone swap out the bushings on the other side of the hanger? LowRange has a kit with 12 bushings and 6 sleeves for that reason I think. Also, nothing too much more special about the OME brand, right?

 

Not sure if I understand. This thread is about swapping the front bushing- which previously came preinstalled with the steel-sleeved rubber bushing shown in the first post. The rear spring eye did not come with anything installed so they got the wheeler's bushings when I initially installed. So I'm on poly bushings on all 4 spring eyes. You'll need 4 bushings total. Each "bushing" is comprised of two bushing halves and the steel inner sleeve. If you get the LowRange kit, you'll have an extra pair of bushings (as long as I'm understanding that correctly). Not a huge deal, there's nothing wrong with spare parts.

 

A good starting point for making something is a stub of 1.5" schedule 40 steel pipe with an end cap threaded on. Drill a hole in the cap and a piece of threaded rod with some nuts and washers.

 

The other end of the shackle. I think I read somewhere about someone replacing that bushing also

 

Thanks man