The Ford Barn

40cpe · 09-07-2013, 03:37 PM

I have a Chassis Engineering front tube shock conversion kit. It came with the hard plastic bushings for the spring shackles. I installed the bushings with a light coat of grease on the pins and it was quiet for a while but now both sides are squeaking.

Is there a better plastic bushing that doesn't squeak, and who sells them? I can't go back to the OE type because the shackle is the lower shock mount and requires this type bushing. It takes a lot of effort to change these so I would like to put a good bushing in there and be done with it.

rotorwrench · 09-07-2013, 07:03 PM

Polyurethane bushings are famous for their ability to talk to you. The old rubber bushings were silent till you could hear them rattling from wear. If a person could get some Delrin or Nylon stock about the right dimension, they could be machined the rest of the way to fit. Materials stock like these are available from McMaster Carr in several forms. I can't guarantee it would be silent but it might be better if the ones you now have are polyurethane.

ford38v8 · 09-07-2013, 07:27 PM

Speedway has nylon shackles. No squeeks.

Marv · 09-07-2013, 07:32 PM

I can't say it will cure it but i would try graphite powder on them if i took the shocks off.

flatheadfan · 09-07-2013, 07:43 PM

What I have been using for more than 20 years on my '35 without a problem or squeak is rubber bushings. This was an approved Ford repair.

Tom

Andy · 09-07-2013, 07:45 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Get some flanged oilite bronze bushings at a bearing supply shop. I replaced the plastic ones 23 years ago and the bronze ones are still great.

40cpe · 09-07-2013, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatheadfan

What I have been using for more than 20 years on my '35 without a problem or squeak is rubber bushings. This was an approved Ford repair.

Tom

Tom, your kit looks like an old stock item, are rubber bushings still available?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

Get some flanged oilite bronze bushings at a bearing supply shop. I replaced the plastic ones 23 years ago and the bronze ones are still great.

While looking at Speedways nylon bushings I saw these bronze bushings. They don't say oilight but they might be.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/search...hackle+bushing

Are there any negatives (other than cost) to the bronze bushings? There must be a reason they were not OEM.

TJ · 09-07-2013, 08:28 PM

There is a special grease for nylon bushings. Check the website for Energy Suspension. I believe they have it.

Andy · 09-07-2013, 09:15 PM

Are there any negatives (other than cost) to the bronze bushings? There must be a reason they were not OEM.[/QUOTE]

Rubber is quieter and cheaper. I used to buy the oilite ones for a buck apiece. Probably a couple of bucks now. Just call and see what the local guys say. I am sure they are less than $4 apiece.

BILLF/TRF · 09-07-2013, 09:35 PM

I am wondering if anyone has experience using both the rubber bushings and the nylon or poly bushings? Do the rubber bushings--especially when new, tend to give the car a "stiffer" ride compared to others? I have the rubber bushings and I have a very stiff suspension. Wondering if it could be due to the bushings?

ford38v8 · 09-07-2013, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILLF/TRF

I am wondering if anyone has experience using both the rubber bushings and the nylon or poly bushings? Do the rubber bushings--especially when new, tend to give the car a "stiffer" ride compared to others? I have the rubber bushings and I have a very stiff suspension. Wondering if it could be due to the bushings?

Bill, I haven't used both, but I'd guess that one type of bushing would not be distinguishable from another based on the stiffness of the ride. Wgat yiou might see is more sway from one to another, but it's the springs and shocks that determine the stiffness of the ride.

I'd think a more likely cause of your stiff ride would be your houdaille shocks are froze up. Check them and have them rebuilt and you're good to go.

flatheadfan · 09-08-2013, 04:20 AM

40cpe-

I don't know anyone specifically who is selling the rubber bushing kits. However, they frequently pop-up on ePay for about $10. As I recall, there wasn't anything different or special about the rubber composition and they were easy to install. Oh yes, I haven't experienced any unusual sway problems with their use.

Tom

09-07-2013, 03:37 PM	#1
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Hard plastic spring bushings squeak I have a Chassis Engineering front tube shock conversion kit. It came with the hard plastic bushings for the spring shackles. I installed the bushings with a light coat of grease on the pins and it was quiet for a while but now both sides are squeaking. Is there a better plastic bushing that doesn't squeak, and who sells them? I can't go back to the OE type because the shackle is the lower shock mount and requires this type bushing. It takes a lot of effort to change these so I would like to put a good bushing in there and be done with it.

09-07-2013, 07:03 PM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,425	Re: Hard plastic spring bushings squeak Polyurethane bushings are famous for their ability to talk to you. The old rubber bushings were silent till you could hear them rattling from wear. If a person could get some Delrin or Nylon stock about the right dimension, they could be machined the rest of the way to fit. Materials stock like these are available from McMaster Carr in several forms. I can't guarantee it would be silent but it might be better if the ones you now have are polyurethane.

09-07-2013, 07:27 PM	#3
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,635	Re: Hard plastic spring bushings squeak Speedway has nylon shackles. No squeeks. __________________ Alan

09-07-2013, 07:32 PM	#4
Marv Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 875	Re: Hard plastic spring bushings squeak I can't say it will cure it but i would try graphite powder on them if i took the shocks off.

09-07-2013, 07:45 PM	#6
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,769	Re: Hard plastic spring bushings squeak Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Get some flanged oilite bronze bushings at a bearing supply shop. I replaced the plastic ones 23 years ago and the bronze ones are still great.

09-07-2013, 08:28 PM	#8
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,029	Re: Hard plastic spring bushings squeak There is a special grease for nylon bushings. Check the website for Energy Suspension. I believe they have it.

09-07-2013, 09:15 PM	#9
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,769	Re: Hard plastic spring bushings squeak Are there any negatives (other than cost) to the bronze bushings? There must be a reason they were not OEM.[/QUOTE] Rubber is quieter and cheaper. I used to buy the oilite ones for a buck apiece. Probably a couple of bucks now. Just call and see what the local guys say. I am sure they are less than $4 apiece.

09-07-2013, 09:35 PM	#10
BILLF/TRF Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Thief River Falls, MN Posts: 155	Re: Hard plastic spring bushings squeak I am wondering if anyone has experience using both the rubber bushings and the nylon or poly bushings? Do the rubber bushings--especially when new, tend to give the car a "stiffer" ride compared to others? I have the rubber bushings and I have a very stiff suspension. Wondering if it could be due to the bushings?

09-08-2013, 04:20 AM	#12
flatheadfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: West Michigan Posts: 1,218	Re: Hard plastic spring bushings squeak 40cpe- I don't know anyone specifically who is selling the rubber bushing kits. However, they frequently pop-up on ePay for about $10. As I recall, there wasn't anything different or special about the rubber composition and they were easy to install. Oh yes, I haven't experienced any unusual sway problems with their use. Tom