The Ford Barn

vern hodgson · 05-26-2020, 09:35 AM

When inserting rear shackle bushing I get a loose fit. Spring eye reads .735 and old of bushing is .720. Is this acceptable? Or do I need a new spring eye leaf?

SSsssteamer · 05-26-2020, 11:18 AM

The spring shackle bushing has to be a tight fit in the spring eye for it to wear properly. If your spring is still safe to use, build up the bushing with a little solder for a tighter spring eye interference fit. Or make a new over sized bushing. Ideally a replacement main leaf spring with proper fitting shackle bushing holes should be used. The old bushing is loose. How does a new bushing measure up?

bavArian · 05-26-2020, 11:23 AM

You could try using "liquid metal", I'd guess it would still work with 0.015" play. And if it doesn't, make a new bushing later.

Big hammer · 05-26-2020, 03:22 PM

Neural the OD of the bushing, some carefull center punching around the OD of the bushing will make the fit tighter !

Mulletwagon · 05-26-2020, 08:22 PM

The bushing/spring eye fit is critical. Really need a press fit for proper performance. If keeping the car for the foreseeable future, might consider biting the bullet and getting a new spring. They normally come with the bushings pressed in but reaming may be required.

Sunnybrook Farm · 05-26-2020, 08:30 PM

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daren007 · 05-26-2020, 09:53 PM

Solder, Jb weld? I don’t see either as a permanent fix.

Jacksonlll · 05-27-2020, 05:40 AM

Just hit it with a punch or something to rough up or Knurl the outside and put it in. It won't rotate under load.

deuce5wndw · 05-27-2020, 07:01 AM

Tighten up the spring eye with a hammer. If you have the spring off hold it on a anvil or something solid and tighten the roll up on the eye.

katy · 05-27-2020, 09:45 AM

[QUOTE Really need a press fit for proper performance.][/QUOTE]

Solder or knurling won't last.

05-26-2020, 09:35 AM	#1
vern hodgson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: langley, wa. Posts: 645	Rear spring eye When inserting rear shackle bushing I get a loose fit. Spring eye reads .735 and old of bushing is .720. Is this acceptable? Or do I need a new spring eye leaf?

05-26-2020, 11:18 AM	#2
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Re: Rear spring eye The spring shackle bushing has to be a tight fit in the spring eye for it to wear properly. If your spring is still safe to use, build up the bushing with a little solder for a tighter spring eye interference fit. Or make a new over sized bushing. Ideally a replacement main leaf spring with proper fitting shackle bushing holes should be used. The old bushing is loose. How does a new bushing measure up?

05-26-2020, 11:23 AM	#3
bavArian Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Germany Posts: 221	Re: Rear spring eye You could try using "liquid metal", I'd guess it would still work with 0.015" play. And if it doesn't, make a new bushing later.

05-26-2020, 03:22 PM	#4
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,430	Re: Rear spring eye Neural the OD of the bushing, some carefull center punching around the OD of the bushing will make the fit tighter ! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

05-26-2020, 08:22 PM	#5
Mulletwagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 626	Re: Rear spring eye The bushing/spring eye fit is critical. Really need a press fit for proper performance. If keeping the car for the foreseeable future, might consider biting the bullet and getting a new spring. They normally come with the bushings pressed in but reaming may be required.

05-26-2020, 08:30 PM	#6
Sunnybrook Farm Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 409	Re: Rear spring eye Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) JB Weld

05-26-2020, 09:53 PM	#7
daren007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Saint Cloud Mn Posts: 745	Re: Rear spring eye Solder, Jb weld? I don’t see either as a permanent fix.

05-27-2020, 05:40 AM	#8
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Rear spring eye Just hit it with a punch or something to rough up or Knurl the outside and put it in. It won't rotate under load.

05-27-2020, 07:01 AM	#9
deuce5wndw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liberty, KY Posts: 987	Re: Rear spring eye Tighten up the spring eye with a hammer. If you have the spring off hold it on a anvil or something solid and tighten the roll up on the eye.

05-27-2020, 09:45 AM	#10
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,712	Re: Rear spring eye [QUOTE Really need a press fit for proper performance.][/QUOTE] Solder or knurling won't last. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!