Springs, Shocks & Bushings Replacement

[Tbaumer]

Started with the front right - Removing the old shock required cutting the bottom nut off. You can see how bad the shock bushings were. I left the top attached to the tower, as I'm replacing it as well. The old shock was surprisingly easy to depress by hand, with no push back.

 

[Tbaumer]

Exposed part of the chassis that went untreated for rust, so a bit of prep with a wire wheel, naval jelly & POR15 (with rinses in between) was needed. New parts in. The lean of the truck shows the difference between the old worn out components on the drivers side & new.

 

[Napalm00]

looks great ! next time instead of using the death dealers (spring compressors) just stand on the end of the axle hub . Spring will slide right in .

 

[Tbaumer]

I'll try the last one without the spring compressors. Here's where I'm at so far - Drivers (left) side was going smoothly, until I broke one of the spring seat bolts off, then broke my undersized extractor & had to run to the auto store for the right one .

 

[Tbaumer]

More rust prep & the front end is done! Took her for a little drive & convinced myself it already feels better.

 

[Tbaumer]

Drivers side rear - Trying to address the rust in areas that I won't be able to get to later. Cleared a bunch of debris out of one of the many mud traps in the chassis & sealed.

 

[LostChord]

Nice work...on my to do list too. What springs and shocks did you go with?

 

[Tbaumer]

Rear shock - The old one had a sleeve inside the bushing that was in really poor condition. Looks like it has the remains of a previous bushing & someone pressed a new one over the crusty sleeve. The inside of the old bushing is smooth & in good condition. I cleaned up the sleeve, but I'm not sure it is used with the OME shock bushing. I think I will ruin the OME bushing if I try to press the sleeve in. Trying to finish this tonight. Any advise?

 

[Napalm00]

If it's a push on fit without the bushing you don't need it. I really don't recall whether or not they one used one. Make sure you grease the shit out of all these bushings with some silicone based lube. I think it comes with a couple tubes

 

[Tbaumer]

Thanks Napalm00. I suspected as much. It's a pretty snug fit with out the sleeve, even lubed up I think it would destroy the new bushing to try to press it in.

Nice work...on my to do list too. What springs and shocks did you go with?

I went with OME Nitro-charger sport shocks & Heavy Duty original springs normally used without a leveler (I'm not convince mine works).
NRC6389 - LH Rear HD
NRC6904 - RH Rear HD
NRC9448 - LH Front HD Variable Rate
NRC9449 - RH Front HD Variable Rate

 

[LazyRabbit]

I'm doing the exact same project right now. I'm afraid of the spring retainer bolts will be a bear to take off or require cutting. I got new shocks, new springs, shock towers to go in.

 

[evilfij]

There is no need to take off the spring retainer bolts. You can stick a prybar in the spring and spin it over the retainer.

 

[Tbaumer]

If you don't take the retainer bolts out, you can't remove the spring seat & you'll never see the rust beneath ! How could you sleep at night?!?
...Exploring the unknown until I have disassembled every part, fixed it & put it together again.