Dobinsons front springs install question (4 Viewers)

[georgebj60]

I’ve searched all over, but can’t find the info I need. I’m in the middle of installing Dobinsons springs on the front of my truck. The pin on the springs is smaller than the hole in the the u-bolt plate. Pin is 14mm, plate is 17mm. All the info I can find with this issue relates to the rear springs and the rubber isolator. Do I need to get a bushing for this issue on the front?

I haven’t tackled the rear yet but should I assume I’ll need some bushings there too?

 

[jclark]

When I installed mine there was a bushing that went in the plate. I’d contact the shop that sold it to you. Otherwise, you can probably pick that up from Valley Hybrids/Terrain Tamer (@orangefj45) or Cruiser Outfitters (@cruiseroutfit ) I’ve purchased suspension parts from both. Great customer support before, during and after the sale.

 

[georgebj60]

Thanks. Thats the info I assumed but good to know for sure. I’ve reached out to the vendor to see if they can supply the bushings, both front and rear.
I for sure would have purchased my whole kit from @cruiseroutfit (I’ve purchased from them in the past), but the exchange rate and uncertainty around tariffs make that too risky.

 

[jclark]

The exchange rate is what it is, but there are no Canadian tariffs currently on individually imported auto parts. There’s a 25% tariff on certain US goods and fully assembled vehicle vehicles. That does not apply to parts.

Don’t take my word for it though, check with CBSA.

Hope that helps, and good luck.

 

[georgebj60]

So just to circle back on this, Dobinsons USA says I need to buy the rubber isolators. See attached email from Dobinsons (the measurements they reference are mine saying the hole in the u-bolt plate is 17mm, and the spring pin is 14mm).

Though from what I can tell most people delete the isolator and just install a bushing.

 

[BurntToast]

Did the bushing on mine, no rubber

 

[toy_tek]

[edit] deleted... sorry I missed this was referencing the front

 

[georgebj60]

Yep that's my plan. Does anyone have the bushing part numbers handy? I'm searching but haven't found it yet. When I do I'll post it up here.

Ah. I found it. OME-CBS01. But at $30 plus, I'll be making one out of some stock bushing material. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[toy_tek]

on the rear wrap of your front springs, are they centered? I had issues with mine being off center, and eventually needed to swap the left spring to the right side and vice versa. Not sure if they're all like that or I got some that were made at quittin time. Info here. Hope yours are correct.

 

[georgebj60]

Ok, so my original post was completely daft. I confused the orientation of the parts when I tried to figure out what was wrong when I was assembling the parts under the truck. The pin on the leaf spring does not go through the u-bolt plate at all, The plate is under the spring. The pin goes into the spring perch on the axle housing. What screwed me up is that, upon closer inspection tonight, the hole in the axle housing on the left side has been carved out into a bit of an oval. There is a good 4-5mm of front to back movement of the spring pin in the perch. Not so much side-to-side. The passenger side seems to be good.

So, I don't know how this happened. The axle is out of the donor HJ60 I used to 2H swap into my FJ60. I only drove that truck a few times before tearing it down. I guess something was loose and the axle was moving around a bit. I never felt anything driving it, but who knows.

Anyway, my plan now is get the axle back out from under the truck, flip it over and try to open up the hole to a perfect circle again, and find or fabricate a bushing to get the spring tight and centred again. Unless someone has a better idea?

Anyway, apologies for the waste of everyone's time. Live and learn!