Mid install help (1 Viewer)

[lmajor32]

Hoping you guys can help with a couple q’s...

How hard should it be to get the springs into the spring hanger? I had to literally beat them in with a rubber mallet and now that they are in they squeak like crazy when I move them up and down. Frame is powder coated so wondering if that’s the issue...

Does the shackle angle below look like it will end up in the right place when there’s weight on it?

 

[Curt]

If i remember correctly mine were a bit snug. After removing my original bushings i pryed the mounts open just a shade to make it easier for me to install using the supplied lube. No squeaks with the skyjacker 2.5" kit. Not sure about the shackle angle its hard to tell until there is weight on it.

 

[lmajor32]

If i remember correctly mine were a bit snug. After removing my original bushings i pryed the mounts open just a shade to make it easier for me to install using the supplied lube. No squeaks with the skyjacker 2.5" kit. Not sure about the shackle angle its hard to tell until there is weight on it.

Thank you Curt. Did you put grease between the outside of the bushings and hanger? What I’ve read on here I’ve read no

 

[pb4ugo]

I grease my bushings & bolts inside and out periodically. I h8 squeaks.

 

[Living in the Past]

Not sure about the shackle angle its hard to tell until there is weight on it.

The front of the spring is laying on a cart. Imposssible to tell anything until both ends are installed.

 

[lmajor32]

The front of the spring is laying on a cart. Imposssible to tell anything until both ends are installed.

The spring is connected at both ends but hanging and not connected to the axle yet..was hoping to avoid having to pull this thing back apart if possible!

 

[Jdc1]

Once you start adding weight, it’ll start to move back. You can get an idea in my pics. The pic with the exhaust, the hard top, doors and seats haven’t been installed yet.

 

[lmajor32]

Once you start adding weight, it’ll start to move back. You can get an idea in my pics. The pic with the exhaust, the hard top, doors and seats haven’t been installed yet.

View attachment 2517060View attachment 2517059

Perfect thank you! Other side went in pretty easy so feeling better about it.

 

[TheHardWay]

Maybe stupid question, but to remove the springs, do you disconnect the mounting plates or the shackles first? I have nightmares of removing the shackle bolt first, and getting banged in the head

 

[Mark Jennings]

This was mine...front and rear, with axles mounted. Frame was powder coated like yours and and bushings were very tight....lubed inside and outside. My springs are skyjacker 2.5’s

 

[lmajor32]

Maybe stupid question, but to remove the springs, do you disconnect the mounting plates or the shackles first? I have nightmares of removing the shackle bolt first, and getting banged in the head

Maybe stupid question, but to remove the springs, do you disconnect the mounting plates or the shackles first? I have nightmares of removing the shackle bolt first, and getting banged in the head

If I remember correctly I put jacks stands under the frame and a floor jack under the axle then unbolted the u-bolts first...if I remember correctly haha

This was mine...front and rear, with axles mounted. Frame was powder coated like yours and and bushings were very tight....lubed inside and outside. My springs are skyjacker 2.5’s

View attachment 2517226
View attachment 2517227

Looks just about like mine now so I think I’m good. Thanks!

 

[TheHardWay]

If I remember correctly I put jacks stands under the frame and a floor jack under the axle then unbolted the u-bolts first...if I remember correctly haha

Oh-h-h-kay, thanks... I think...

 

[Downey]

Polyurethane spring bushing "Gee Whiz" information: The red and yellow spring bushings shown above are not graphite impregnated, graphite is black, would turn those bushing black, that's why the Energy Suspension black bushings that are graphite impregnated are so popular. Next, polyurethane can have inhibitors blended-in so that the bushings can tolerate lubricants, otherwise the bushings just soak up the grease, turn soft, , then you can peel them with your thumb nail. Moral of this story is; ask your bushing supplier if your bushings can tolerate lubricants so that they do not squeak.

 

[Curt]

Thank you Curt. Did you put grease between the outside of the bushings and hanger? What I’ve read on here I’ve read no

I am sure some lube got on the outside of the bushing i dont think i was very careful putting them in.

 

[lmajor32]

Oh-h-h-kay, thanks... I think...

Lol. I tore the truck down about 6 months ago or so, which is why I say “if I remember correctly.”

 

[Mark Jennings]

Polyurethane spring bushing "Gee Whiz" information: The red and yellow spring bushings shown above are not graphite impregnated, graphite is black, would turn those bushing black, that's why the Energy Suspension black bushings that are graphite impregnated are so popular. Next, polyurethane can have inhibitors blended-in so that the bushings can tolerate lubricants, otherwise the bushings just soak up the grease, turn soft, , then you can peel them with your thumb nail. Moral of this story is; ask your bushing supplier if your bushings can tolerate lubricants so that they do not squeak.

That’s why you use white lithium grease on them there red urethane bushings....so they don’t degrade and turn into jello....the lithium base doesn’t break the urethane down like petroleum based grease.

 

[lmajor32]

That’s why you use white lithium grease on them there red urethane bushings....so they don’t degrade and turn into jello....the lithium base doesn’t break the urethane down like petroleum based grease.

So what you’re saying is I should pull the bushings out and clean off the valvoline palladium grease I put in them??

 

[Mark Jennings]

Did you read the instructions that came with the bushings....if I remember correctly the bushing kit I picked up stated white lithium....petroleum based will eventually soften the bushings.

The white spay can shown in the pictures I attached is a can of white lithium spray I got at AutoZone.

Downey has a point, but the black graphite bushings are a bit of overkill for the use my rig sees...mall crawls, soccer mom missions and easy trail drives......and besides, I like a bit of red against the black powder coat....contrast (lol).

 

[lmajor32]

Did you read the instructions that came with the bushings....if I remember correctly the bushing kit I picked up stated white lithium....petroleum based will eventually soften the bushings.

The white spay can shown in the pictures I attached is a can of white lithium spray I got at AutoZone.

Downey has a point, but the black graphite bushings are a bit of overkill for the use my rig sees...mall crawls, soccer mom missions and easy trail drives......and besides, I like a bit of red against the black powder coat....contrast (lol).

I did read the instructions but all they say is “lubricate polyurethane bushings well before installation.”

 

[Mark Jennings]

Google it up, 2 lubes are common for urethane...silicon based and lithium based (doesn’t have to be white, just lithium). And as a side note, the white spay lithium..the lithium soap is just a thickener...still uses mineral oil as the actual lube.

My experience...I greased them up JUST for the assembly...like you mentioned, they’re tight. None of my shackle pins have grease fittings...so I don’t routinely lubricate...the white lithium spray probably washed out on the first 100 degree day the first summer I had the rig on the road.

As for as squeaks, the 40 is so loud anyway, between transfer case, exhaust, tickittty lifters, wind noise....I doubt I’d hear a squeaky spring bushing anyway.

Have fun with your project...



So I wouldn’t loose sleep over whatever you used for an assembly lube....but if you plan routinely greasing...e.g. your shackle pins have grease fittings, then use the choices recommended by the bushing manufacturer.