Leaf spring bushings: Am I missing something obvious here, or... do I have major disassembly ahead of me?

[meezy]

 

Hi, guys.

I replaced the passenger side leaf spring bushings in just a few minutes... but the driver's side has my scratching my head. The fuel tank blocks removal of the shackle. Am I missing something here? How have y'all dealt with this?

Thank you in advance.

[Adam H P15 D30]

Looks like you're going to pull the tank.  Make sure to reverse the install when it goes back together.

-OR- you can cut the shackle and replace, they were available new a few years back when I purchased a set.  Maybe Posie has them.

Are those Posie Superslide springs?  sure looks like them.

[Plymouthy Adams]

been so long since I visited the rear stock shackles as inserted at the rear between the tank and frame.  I tend to recall one could remove the bar on the one side....remove the bushings and then remove the inner bushing when pushed out of the tube and cut from the shackle.  I cannot say for certain due to the long ago venture but am thinking I did get room to then angle the shackle from the frame...but you have to remove the lower spring by way of levering it out first.  Again, been so long since doing this step without just dropping the rear axle as I usually do for a modern brake and ratio upgrade.  As suggested, reverse the shackle.  Others have cut the shackle for renewal once bushing are out and you observes hammered flat pins....then others just cut and renew as suggested above.   Last time I looked shackles were running quite a bit more in cost and one would look carefully at cutting a good set.  One may not need to full drop the tank but loosen its straps and shift to the side a bit.

[Sam Buchanan]

7 minutes ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

been so long since I visited the rear stock shackles as inserted at the rear between the tank and frame.  I tend to recall one could remove the bar on the one side....remove the bushings and then remove the inner bushing when pushed out of the tube and cut from the shackle.  I cannot say for certain due to the long ago venture but am thinking I did get room to then angle the shackle from the frame...but you have to remove the lower spring by way of levering it out first. 

 

That's pretty much what I did when replacing the bushings. Remove a top bushing then patiently work the shackle out at an angle. Yes, the spring needs to be disconnected first so the shackle can be maneuvered.

[Racer-X-]

On other vehicles where I've encountered this kind of issue with a fuel tank and leaf springs, it's been possible to loosen the tank, possibly remove the bolts holding the part of the tank closest to the point of contact, and shift the tank out of the way just enough to get to the spring parts and remove them without completely removing the tank. YMMV, and I haven't tried it on one of these post war Mopars.

 

21 hours ago, Adam H P15 D30 said:

Maybe Posie has them.

Are those Posie Superslide springs?  sure looks like them.

 

I'm also interested in those springs.  I'm doing CalTracks on Elvis (our 1947 DeSoto) next week, and disassmebling, painting and reassembling the spring leaves using the liner stuff from Speedway. His leaf springs are old and tire. They don't have much curve to them at all when car is on the ground, with the full weight on the springs.

[Sniper]

I think the multiple leafs in the older spring packs make up for the lack or arch.

[kencombs]

4 hours ago, Sniper said:

I think the multiple leafs in the older spring packs make up for the lack or arch.

Not just older, but remember the springs on 60s/70s Mopars?  1/3 of the spring in front of the axle and very little arch.   Really good design.

[Sniper]

Just now, kencombs said:

Not just older, but remember the springs on 60s/70s Mopars?  1/3 of the spring in front of the axle and very little arch.   Really good design.

 

Why yes I do remember them, I have a new set to put on my 65 Cuda in fact. 

[Racer-X-]

Does anyone have a part number or source for the front leaf spring bushing?

 

I finally pulled one of Elvis's springs out (the right side), and the shackle bushings I have (from RockAuto.com) are a perfect fit.  The front eye, however, is somewhat larger than the rear.  I got extras of the shackle bushings hoping they would work.  They won't.  

[Sniper]

I come  up with part number 306458 for a 47 DeSoto silent block

 

https://www.ebay.com/p/19036910499

 

https://www.hiltopautoparts.com/product/nos-mopar-rear-spring-front-pivot-bushing-1935-52-models/

 

 

[DJ194950]

Is that a possible use as was supposed to be in the front ends in rear springs of the mid? 40's thru mid 50's all Mopars .?

 

Dayton RB-1 ?

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/dayton,RB1,leaf+spring+bushing,7488

 

DJ

[Sniper]

10 minutes ago, DJ194950 said:

Is that a possible use as was supposed to be in the front ends in rear springs of the mid? 40's thru mid 50's all Mopars .?

 

Dayton RB-1 ?

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/dayton,RB1,leaf+spring+bushing,7488

 

DJ

 

That actually list the part number, 1134486, that supercedes to one I posted above, so it should work?  Good find.  This link gives dimensions as a double check

 

https://www.truckspring.com/products/Rubber-Leaf-Spring-Bushing-Chrysler__RB-1.aspx

[meezy]

On 11/3/2022 at 10:11 AM, Adam H P15 D30 said:

Looks like you're going to pull the tank.  Make sure to reverse the install when it goes back together.

-OR- you can cut the shackle and replace, they were available new a few years back when I purchased a set.  Maybe Posie has them.

Are those Posie Superslide springs?  sure looks like them.

I got these springs from Espo Springs n' Things a loooooog time ago. I believe they're still in good shape.

[meezy]

Thank you everybody for your answers.