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Rear Bushing Frame Shackle dimension

jeff in co

jeff in co

1/2 ton status
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Probably a noob question but......I'd like to get some new Energy Suspension bushings but they list two sizes. The two offered are:

- With 1-1/2" OD Frame Shackle
- With 1-3/8" OD Frame Shackle

I don't know where to take this measurement. Is it the diameter of the leaf spring and I will need to unbolt to get the true diameter or is it the width of the shackle? Probably an easy answer but I don't want to order the wrong one.....

They look to be stock springs with add-a-leaf and blocks to make up the 4" lift. The rubber is pretty shot!

DSC_0920.jpg


DSC_0919.jpg
 
Maybe this is the dimension......

Bottom looks to be 1-3/8, measuring the rubber diameter
and the upper 1-3/4

DSC_0922.jpg


DSC_0921.jpg
 
The width is going to be the same which you are trying to measure. OD means Outside diameter as in the round part. Most of the time it is 1.5" for the half ton blazers. Later models like your could have the bigger bushings.

The easiest way to measure it is with a pair of dial calipers, so you can sneak it between the shackle and the shackle mount.
BTW, on chevys, you measure to the outside of the steel sleeve which gets replace with the poly bushing. To clarify, there is a steel sleeve pressed into the shackle. Don't measure OD of the shackle. That would be wrong.
 
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It looks like Energy Suspension (delete) is what you are looking for.
Strangely enough, that P/N lists for a 3/4 ton, but I've heard that last of 88/91 blazers came with the larger spring bushings.

Edit-for a heads up, the energy suspension catalog does not list the 1.7 spring bushings the later model blazers came with in their catalog that ORD list.
 
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Thanks for the part number, that really helps! It looks like the upper one is larger than was expected so that threw me off. I was expecting 1-1/2" for the upper for sure. Thanks again!
 
jeff in co said:
Thanks for the part number, that really helps! It looks like the upper one is larger than was expected so that threw me off. I was expecting 1-1/2" for the upper for sure. Thanks again!
Click to expand...
I would double check that upper dimension. By looking at the ORD site, They say there could be a 1.7 bushing. The p/n I gave you is for a 1.75 bushing.
 
JDNobodi said:
The width is going to be the same which you are trying to measure. OD means Outside diameter as in the round part. Most of the time it is 1.5" for the half ton blazers. Later models like your could have the bigger bushings.

The easiest way to measure it is with a pair of dial calipers, so you can sneak it between the shackle and the shackle mount.
BTW, on chevys, you measure to the outside of the steel sleeve which gets replace with the poly bushing. To clarify, there is a steel sleeve pressed into the shackle. Don't measure OD of the shackle. That would be wrong.
Click to expand...

So I will need to press that sleeve out?
 
If you can. Most people burn the bushing out, and split the sleeve with a saw.
 
Got the new bushing set and have taken out the first rubber sleeve and metal sleeve. I may have the wrong one now that I have taken a second measurement.

All the way inside, I get about 1.65" and the new bushings are right on at 1.75". Energy suspension only offers the 1.5" and the 1.75" so is ORD my only source now? I assume I can't spread each eye enough to make the 1.75" ones work correct? It just may be sqeazing it too much. :rolleyes:

DSC_0054.jpg


DSC_0055.jpg
 
Looks like you have metric spring eyes, the very last few years of the K-series trucks sometimes got them. IIRC I had ~1.7" written down so that sounds close. This is for the '89 right?
 
38377k5 said:
Looks like you have metric spring eyes, the very last few years of the K-series trucks sometimes got them. IIRC I had ~1.7" written down so that sounds close. This is for the '89 right?
Click to expand...

Yea, and it looks like energy suspension doesn't carry that size.

Do you by chance?
 
I did remove the other two bushing to be sure on all the measurement.....

The opposite end of the main leaf is identical to the front and the smaller one is shown below.... (1.38")

DSC_0926.jpg
 
Damn, these later model stuff have all kinds of different sizes. For the shackles, could be 1.375" (1 3/8") which energy suspension sells a bushing for. It is only .004" different between your measurement. Heck I wouldn't be surprised if the shackle bore to be out of round.
 
If you are dead set to get your rig going, and have asses to a lathe, you could stick your bushings in the freezer for a while then machine them to size real quick.
 
Whats all this talk about bushing sizes... i recently changed mine...and i think i bought them for 1-1/2" I.D., mine is a truck dont know if it matters. the sleeve is no longer needed...
 
You're lucky. Mine was also 1 1/2" but there are some that have different size bushings out there. A look at bushing catalog would tell you that there are different bushings.
jeff in co is one those unfortunate to have the different bushings.
 
just a fyi for others that might find this in a search later.

direct from rear bushing page on ord website

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]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.[/FONT]​
 
JDNobodi said:
If you are dead set to get your rig going, and have asses to a lathe, you could stick your bushings in the freezer for a while then machine them to size real quick.
Click to expand...

I already thought about a Lathe but after further review, Energy Suspension actually sent me 3 different bushing sizes. 1-3/4, 1-3/8 and another size in between the two (edit: 1-1/2"). To make a Lathe work, I would need 8 each of the 1-3/4......I only have 4 in the kit. So it's definitely NOT workable with the kit I have. I can spread the eye a little bit so the 1.7" does seem to be the correct size. I just can't spread it far enough to get the 1.75" ones to work.

I want to be sure I get an "RA" number for returning and then call up ORD. It looks like I have the special, unusual size....:dunno:
 
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