Suspension Problems, need some advice

[Aloha Jen]

Hey guys! Had a quick question about some suspension related issues and need some names of suspension parts so I can get this fixed.
I have an OME set up that the PO put on, but I do not know how old it is. It has some weird clunking when turning, which I have read on here is sometimes heard with the OME. But I noticed this on the front yesterday and took some pictures of it....it doesn't look good:
DS

PS

It looks like the rubber disc that cusion the shackle is all cracked and falling off on one end and is completely gone on the other side of the DS. And on the PS, they are just starting to crack. My question is, can I replace these rubber/plastic spacer pieces? And if so, what is there proper name?
My next question is, what is involved with changing these out? Does the entire suspension need to be removed?
I guess I'm hoping to hear this is an easy fix and will be back on the road soon. Can/should I be driving it with these cracked and missing pieces, or will I be doing more damage??? I apologize for butchering the names of these parts, thanks for any advice!

 

[CaptClose]

You need new bushings it looks like. Pretty simple fix. Pull the pin, pop out the old bushings, put new ones in.

 

[CaptClose]

Here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/271706540248

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

I get clunking when turning. drove me nuts and took forever to find it. in my case, the leaves are twisting in their pack and hitting the clamps. a result of a home brewed OME AAL to OEM LSP union. your bushings need replaced, which could be the cause of your clunk, but might check to see if there is any room between the side of the leafs and the clamp.

 

[White Stripe]

Yes it's still fine to drive. You have to Jack up the vehicle by the frame but not to the point the tire comes off the ground. U want their to be no pressure on it when u take it apart. Usually jacking up the frame 3 or 4 inches is enough. Might as well check the condition of all the spring shackle bushings while your at it and replace as needed. Lube the new bushings b4 replacing.

 

[Aloha Jen]

Yes it's still fine to drive. You have to Jack up the vehicle by the frame but not to the point the tire comes off the ground. U want their to be no pressure on it when u take it apart. Usually jacking up the frame 3 or 4 inches is enough. Might as well check the condition of all the spring shackle bushings while your at it and replace as needed. Lube the new bushings b4 replacing.

Thanks! So just jack up the frame to take pressure off the springs, then Unbolt and pull the pin, pop out the old bushings, put new ones in like @CaptClose said? Sounds easy enough, is there any other steps I am missing?
Looks like the replacement bushings (OME SB1) come in packs of 6 to do one complete spring. I will get 2 packs and redo all the bushings for both front springs.

 

[White Stripe]

Seriously? Only 6? I just bought a pack a few weeks ago to install soon. I better double check whats in the package I was under the impression their was enough for a pair of springs. Yes thats it. I use a floor jack to lift each corner either by the bumper depending how strong and level the bottom of the bumper the rig has or on the frame behind the rear spring hanger. Sometimes you gotta put a big block of wood under the frame to get more height. Its a tad on the sketchy side, so keep an eye on the floor jack that it isn't shifting or slowly sinking down if it has a small hydraulic leak. And don't put yourself in a position where if the jack slides off that you get your hand squished or worse. Just a little warning but its not that bad really Likely you will need to raise or lower the jack a little when removing and installing the shackle. You will likely need a punch and a mallet or hammer (a long 3/8" socket extension will work) to get the shackle bolts to come out of the frame spring hanger and leaf spring eye.

 

[lovetoski]

Thanks! So just jack up the frame to take pressure off the springs, then Unbolt and pull the pin, pop out the old bushings, put new ones in like @CaptClose said? Sounds easy enough, is there any other steps I am missing?
Looks like the replacement bushings (OME SB1) come in packs of 6 to do one complete spring. I will get 2 packs and redo all the bushings for both front springs.

That's basically the procedure. Make sure you've got the truck well stabilized, chocks on the rear wheels, level ground, etc.
I had to futz with how much load I took off the spring...using the jack to get the right lift on the frame. The ideal is that the shackle and spring stay pretty well aligned after you pull out the pin.
The bushings are a wear item. However in 40,000 miles on my OME lift, I've replaced the front shackle bushings, but all the rest look fine to me so I've left them alone.

 

[Aloha Jen]

So finally getting around to taking care of this. Got the 2 front PS ones on no problem following the above instructions. But the one on the rear of the front ps won't come off at all. No matter what amount it is jacked up, it won't come off the mount. Any secrets to getting the rear bushing off the front leaf spring???

 

[Cruiserdrew]

If the front is still attached, it puts a ton of pressure on the rear. Normally when replacing bushings, you pull the shackle end off, then the frame end. Re-assemble in reverse order.

Resist the temptation to hit the thread end of the pin to force it through. You will damage the thread and make the pin unusable. Don't ask why I know that.

One other tip-sometimes the pin is corroded and stuck fast. To get it out, yo will need to heat it really hot until the bushing starts to melt/smoke. Then you can pry out the pin.

In the pic above, you need to remove that locator bolt, then pry behind the plate and it should get it out.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Those rear can be really tough. Of course, one can buy new pins and just destroy the old ones to get them out.

Looks like only one side of that pin had a new bushing put on it when the lift was done (?)

 

[Aloha Jen]

If the front is still attached, it puts a ton of pressure on the rear. Normally when replacing bushings, you pull the shackle end off, then the frame end. Re-assemble in reverse order.

Resist the temptation to hit the thread end of the pin to force it through. You will damage the thread and make the pin unusable. Don't ask why I know that.

One other tip-sometimes the pin is corroded and stuck fast. To get it out, yo will need to heat it really hot until the bushing starts to melt/smoke. Then you can pry out the pin.

In the pic above, you need to remove that locator bolt, then pry behind the plate and it should get it out.

Thanks! I think that is the problem. When the front bushings were replaced, we put the shackle back on and that must have put pressure on the rear.
After not being able to get it off, we moved on to the DS. Removed the front shackle/bushings, then removed the rear bushing/pin before replacing and installing the fronts. Was able to get the DS rear bushing/pin out, but now the angle to get rear bushings installed and get the pin back in is way off center! Almost like the front axle has moved forward an inch or so?? Our plan to deal with this is to put a ratchet strap around front and rear axle to try an squeeze the front back a bit to line it up. But won't be able to try that until later this afternoon. Also need to figure out some way to drop the rear of the front spring to insert the back bushings.
Ugghhh! This seemingly easy project has become quite the frustrating ordeal....

 

[roma042987]

it's heavy work so it can definitely be frustrating. ive used ratchet straps before also and they work quiet well. I'll second that the key is to do the rear bushings while the front is completely loose then move to the front