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ORD rear bushings*Update*10-26-07

johnnychimpo

johnnychimpo

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]*Update*

I ordered new metric bushings for my springs from ORD. They do not have greasable rear metric 1.7" bushings.(don't get your hopes up). I went to install them & were a really tight fit (had to beat them in w/ a mallet). After I got one side in, the fit was so tight I couldn't push the sleeve in because the hole in the bushing was so distorted. Anybody else had this problem if so what was your solution?[/FONT]


I followed ORD's instructions from their site on removing the old bushings in my rear springs (1990 1/2t Sub) : "[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The factory rubber bushing consists of an inner steel sleeve, the rubber and a thin outer steel sleeve. The urethane bushings fit directly against the leaf spring so all 3 components of the factory bushing must be removed. There are several methods to removing factory rubber bushings. The safest is to use a small diameter drill bit to drill out the rubber around the inner sleeve until it is loose enough to be driven out. After it is out, the rest of the rubber can be "chunked" out with a chisel or screwdriver and the outer sleeve split and driven out. Install the new poly bushings with plenty of grease or anti-seize on the outside and inside. They should be a snug fit but shouldn’t need to be pressed in."

The new poly bushings are 1.5" in dia. My spring eyes are about .100 too big now that I removed the outer sleeve in the spring eyes. I spent about 3hrs beating/burning the living sh!t out of these. Anyone have any suggestions what I can do to make up the .100.


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I seem to recall (some? all?) later trucks having a slightly larger bushing ... I am thinking you need the next larger bushing. Call ORD tomorrow and ask 'em.

EDIT: That would be for the 1 3/4's though... I think. If yours are 1.5 ... ack, I donno. I still say to call 'em.

-- A
 
Also from ORD's website under the rear greaseable bushing section:

We have encountered some '88-'91 Blazers and Suburbans with a metric spring eye bushing size. These will measure about 1.7". ORD has the proper bushings to fit these springs if you call us.
Click to expand...
 
I remember reading that also! Like everyone has said, call them tomorrow. They have always been good to me as far as customer service.
 
I saw that after I posted. I guess I got to excited about chiseling out the old bushings.:o I'll give them a call. Thanks for the replies.
 
I think the best method is burning them out with the torch. It's kinda cool, the inner sleeve will pop-up like a toaster. Course it's still a pain to remove the outer sleeve.

DSCF1622.jpg
 
I used my 12 ton shop press and a socket to press the bushings out. I have the DIY4X poly bushings (I ordered the greasable bolt and bushing kit a while back) and I didn't need to remove the outer sleeves.
 
I just had this problem a couple days ago, and since i ws running out of time and i'm cheap, i just pounded 1.75" tube into the spring eye cut it flush and popped the 1.5 bushing into it, That'll at least get me through a weekend of wheeling.
 
I burned mine out with a MAPP torch. The sleeves popped out & the rubber loosened from the eye & rolled out prying with a scredriver. The sleeves that I shouldn't have removed were a bitch w/ a hacksaw.
I called ORD today & had to buy new larger bushings. They said I could send the old ones back for a credit. I'll have to see of its worth the shipping cost of buying two sets & sending one back.
 
mrk5 said:
I think the best method is burning them out with the torch. It's kinda cool, the inner sleeve will pop-up like a toaster. Course it's still a pain to remove the outer sleeve.

DSCF1622.jpg
Click to expand...

Torch the outer sleeve as well. Turn the heat down just a bit and heat just the edge of the sleeve at the main leaf split or end of the wrap. Once ya get it hot enough hit the high pressure and chase it down the hole. If ya do it just right the main leaf warms up a bit. Not hot at all.
 
Hopefully I'll never do that again. If I do I'll try your method. By the way the spring perches I got from you are uber-stout! Thanks for swapping the shackles too.
 
johnnychimpo said:
Hopefully I'll never do that again. If I do I'll try your method. By the way the spring perches I got from you are uber-stout! Thanks for swapping the shackles too.
Click to expand...


No prob. bud! All in the guarantee!
 
update in post #1 & here.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]*Update*

I ordered new metric bushings for my springs from ORD. They do not have greasable rear metric 1.7" bushings.(don't get your hopes up). I went to install them & were a really tight fit (had to beat them in w/ a mallet). After I got one side in, the fit was so tight I couldn't push the sleeve in because the hole in the bushing was so distorted. Anybody else had this problem if so what was your solution?[/FONT]
 
Just got off the phone with James at ORD (every bit as helpful as Stephen) James told me that they also sell 1 3/4" bushings & I may have received them instead of the metric ones. Was assured that they would fix my problem. Good customer service! I'll def be ordering more from them.
 
Measured the bushings & they're 1.7" my spring eyes from a '90 Sub measure 1.6" So I'm Sh!t out of luck! Guess I'll be buying some springs. On the bright side I have two sets of new poly bushings to ogle.
 
johnnychimpo said:
Measured the bushings & they're 1.7" my spring eyes from a '90 Sub measure 1.6" So I'm Sh!t out of luck! Guess I'll be buying some springs. On the bright side I have two sets of new poly bushings to ogle.
Click to expand...
Why not take some heat to the eye of the spring and open it up a little? Shouldn`t be too hard. I had to wedge something in the edge of the spring eye to open it up enough to put my new bushings in...
 
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