The Ford Barn

JDD_0485 · 01-01-2020, 12:57 PM

Which will give me less fits: Rubber bushings or the original style metal ones? Thanks.

Werner · 01-01-2020, 01:13 PM

I think, if you grease time to time, the shackle with brass or bronze bushings is the better variation.

ryanheacox · 01-01-2020, 02:04 PM

I think when I rehab my front end I’m going to make some oil-lite bushings for the shackles rather than use the steel ones. I wasn’t impressed with the quality when I replaced the rears in June. I haven’t heard of rubber spring shackle bushings for an A.

Purdy Swoft · 01-01-2020, 02:17 PM

The ones with rubber bushings came in sets and didn't use the original spring shackles . The spring shackles with rubber bushings were mostly a cheap after market part . The rubber bushings were often used as a get by when the spring perches were worn past the bushing point .

Werner · 01-01-2020, 02:42 PM

Just have a look:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Rubber-Front...YAAOSw44BYL0LT

Tom Endy · 01-01-2020, 03:06 PM

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I have encountered the rubber bushing type rear shackles several times while installing Mitchell overdrives. I believe they were from the J. C. Whitney era. The rubber was always found torn up. I would certainly never install them.

Tom Endy

mike657894 · 01-01-2020, 08:13 PM

Many vehicles use rubber. And yes they fall apart after 20 years(of road use). I would think they would need bigger holes or smaller pins or would be weak if they were as thin as the bushings. I put new stuff in my A out of the catalogs. If mine were to wear out I would try the rubber. I put rubber in my classic truck 10 years ago and they are still good. probably will need replacement in another 10 years. It was 30 years old when I got it and they were toast.

Mulletwagon · 01-01-2020, 08:15 PM

I'm with Tom. Spring shackle bushings are heavily loaded on transverse systems. Steel, bronze, or brass will likely withstand the elevated stress better than synthetic material. As Werner suggested, regular grease injection will extend bushing/shackle life dramatically.

CWPASADENA · 01-01-2020, 11:08 PM

Original type, not rubber.

My opinion,

Chris W.

Pete · 01-02-2020, 12:05 AM

I put moly filled Delrin bushings in mine 40 years ago and they are still good. You just have to grease them about once a year.

01-01-2020, 12:57 PM	#1
JDD_0485 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Illinois Posts: 10	Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original? Which will give me less fits: Rubber bushings or the original style metal ones? Thanks.

01-01-2020, 02:04 PM	#3
ryanheacox Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northwest CT Posts: 1,092	Re: Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original? I think when I rehab my front end I’m going to make some oil-lite bushings for the shackles rather than use the steel ones. I wasn’t impressed with the quality when I replaced the rears in June. I haven’t heard of rubber spring shackle bushings for an A.

01-01-2020, 02:17 PM	#4
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original? The ones with rubber bushings came in sets and didn't use the original spring shackles . The spring shackles with rubber bushings were mostly a cheap after market part . The rubber bushings were often used as a get by when the spring perches were worn past the bushing point .

01-01-2020, 02:42 PM	#5
Werner Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Germany, near Aachen Posts: 1,153	Re: Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original? Just have a look: https://www.ebay.de/itm/Rubber-Front...YAAOSw44BYL0LT __________________ Beste Gruesse aus Deutschland, Werner Ford Model A, Roadster, 1928 Citroen 11 CV, 1947 Hercules W 2000, 1976; (with NSU-Wankel Rotary Engine), Canadian version

01-01-2020, 03:06 PM	#6
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have encountered the rubber bushing type rear shackles several times while installing Mitchell overdrives. I believe they were from the J. C. Whitney era. The rubber was always found torn up. I would certainly never install them. Tom Endy

01-01-2020, 08:13 PM	#7
mike657894 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bay City Michigan Posts: 1,050	Re: Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original? Many vehicles use rubber. And yes they fall apart after 20 years(of road use). I would think they would need bigger holes or smaller pins or would be weak if they were as thin as the bushings. I put new stuff in my A out of the catalogs. If mine were to wear out I would try the rubber. I put rubber in my classic truck 10 years ago and they are still good. probably will need replacement in another 10 years. It was 30 years old when I got it and they were toast.

01-01-2020, 08:15 PM	#8
Mulletwagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 585	Re: Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original? I'm with Tom. Spring shackle bushings are heavily loaded on transverse systems. Steel, bronze, or brass will likely withstand the elevated stress better than synthetic material. As Werner suggested, regular grease injection will extend bushing/shackle life dramatically.

01-01-2020, 11:08 PM	#9
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,882	Re: Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original? Original type, not rubber. My opinion, Chris W.

01-02-2020, 12:05 AM	#10
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,407	Re: Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original? I put moly filled Delrin bushings in mine 40 years ago and they are still good. You just have to grease them about once a year.