front leaf spring questions

[joshkbomb]

I'm going to be replacing the bushings in the front leaf springs (truck has broken bushings that cause it to wander around the road) on my '87 Blazer with a stock suspension and I have a few questions before I jump in:

1. I'm worried about the angle that the frame will sit on the jackstands (front of truck pointed up) to get the front of the truck high enough to remove both springs. Is this a problem or should I not worry about it? I assume also that I should position the jackstands right behind the shackles?

2. How do I make sure everything lines up when I go to install the springs? I have to remove both of them to take them to a spring shop, so I can't do one at a time. Is the truck probably going to need an alignment after this?

3. Are urethane bushings (greasable maybe?) worth the extra cost given my truck doesn't get much wheeling in anymore ($45-50 vs $95)?


I'm also in the process of deciding whether or not it's worth doing all this myself. The spring shop said they would do everything for $360 which, given how motivated I am right now, sounds pretty tempting. Doing it myself would cost $170-200 in parts/tools. What would you do?

 

[sweetk30]

if thay will do all labor and parts for 360 that dont sound bad at all.

but if me i would make sure that all spring bushings are new and the ultra comon forgoten frame bushing for the shackles.

and if me i would run some like this http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/hdshackles.htm thay seem to last longer.

and if doing all this work i would just do a small lift kit and be done. all new no sagey springs bla bla. you would get 4 new shocks/all new ubolts/ new bushings for new front springs/ and a cooler look. you can do as little as 2" lift to 4" and not affect much. http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/TuffCountry.htm

and as for alignment only thing you can realy set with little work is toe. and center the wheel. you can do both with a tape measure by your self basicly.

 

[joshkbomb]

I haven't forgotten about the frame bushing and all amounts I gave included all 6 bushings for the front suspension.

I thought about the HD shackles, but I won't be wheeling this truck much until I do a lift so I didn't see the point.

Speaking of lifts, I've thought about it and until this truck isn't my only vehicle, I would prefer it to be stock. I do plan on the lift though (how could I own this vehicle and not want to turn it into a monster truck?), it's just a few years away when i get more time and money.

The saggy spring thing brings up a good question: How do I know my springs are still good after 22 years? The truck sits level and that's all I really cared about, but is there supposed to be a certain amount of lift they provide or something?

 

[sweetk30]

o.k. just hate to see wasted money . good luck .

 

[joshkbomb]

I know, I almost feel like I'm wasting the money, but sometimes a few hundred more dollars is a few hundred too much.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

By the same right, if its not broken why fix it?

 

[joshkbomb]

It is broken. The front bushings are in two pieces.

 

[6.2Blazer]

I guess I don't understand how you are willing to spend $360 to just get new bushings on the front springs, but a mild lift kit is too expensive? You can buy complete kits (front springs, rear blocks) with shocks in the same price range. Or buy a brand new set of springs and bushings through LMC.