Dropping Leaf Springs to Re-grease Bushings

Hey guys,

Wondering if anyone has first hand experience with this.

Running OME EL095R leafs, with Wheeler's Poly bushings. They need to be regreased, its been a while. Trying to do this without completely dropping each pack.

Is it possible for me to unbolt the shocks and brake line from the axle, loosen all 4 bolts holding in the leafs, and then work one side at a time, unbolting it one at a time, lowering the axle until the bushing drops out of the hanger, re-greasing, then jacking it back up into place and running the bolt back thru?

I'm worried it won't be that simple, and Ill have trouble getting the bolts back thru, particularly the front if I leave the rear bolt in, as I seem remember when doing the leafs the front bolt goes in first.

Has anyone done it? Is it possible? Or should I just commit to pulling each pack out, overhauling them, and reinstalling?

Thanks!

 

I have the same leafs. You can do one bushing at a time. Just jack up the whole rear end of the truck (I usually jack from the dif) then put jack stands under the frame. Then just use the jack to lift/lower the rear axle as needed. The rear bushings you need to lift the axel, the front you need to drop it.

I find the noise comes from the side of the bushing rotating against the mount or shackle. Trying to remove the metal center sleeve in the bushings is a whole different challenge lol. I have never needed to grease that part though so I don't even go down that road.

The shackle makes it so the leafs have some play to get the bolts aligned. It's actually pretty easy. Getting the front bolt back in is much easier when the rear is already bolted in place too.

I find the best grease to use is the white Energy Suspension Formula 5 grease that usually comes with poly bushings. Lasts much longer than your standard moly used in the u-joints and ball joints.

 

Thanks!

It's been 3 or 4 years and besides the obvious creaks and groans it seems like at times I feel them binding up a little bit

 

Bump. Didnt work for me. Gonna have to drop the packs. Ended up using Boeshield T-9 liberally, everywhere. Now its quiet. We'll see how long it lasts.

 

Check that your bushing bolts rotate freely too. I had a set of bushings stretch/fail and that ended up bending the bolt in the sleeve which made it a super bitch to get out. Wasn't my favorite task.

 

I unbolted one of the front bushing bolts and was able to get the bolt to push back and rotate freely. I was unable to get tension off the spring pack sufficiently to push the bolt out, and didnt want to force it fearing that I wouldn't be able to line it up and get it back in without dropping the packs

 

That's where a pry bar is your friend. The leverage really helps making tiny placement adjustments that require high force. That's how I've done it in the past to get them in the right position.