Front Shackle w/ Poly Bushings

[SeventyOne]

I spend today torquing down some suspension bolts that were just finger tight. In my haynes/chiltons it says 45lbft for the front-leafspring-shackle-bolts. Unfortunately I was never able to reach that torque value because the poly bushings just kept bulging out - A LOT.

So, question...should I just loosen the nuts, apply some locktite, and then get the nuts tight to a point where the poly bushing bulge just slightly?

Here's pics - these are before I tried to torque them...

[liftlawssuck]

If I remember right there are sleeves that go in the bushings. The shackles will tighten up against the sleeves bulging the bushings out a little. Every time I changed bushing that's how they have been. Hope this helps. By the way. That frame and area looks awesome!!! Would love to see more pics of frame.

[SeventyOne]

I do have the metal sleeve in there. It just seems no mater how long I crank on the bolt/nut the bushing just bulges more and I don't reach the desired torque setting...

here's a link to my build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=385110

[e rock]

Regardless of what Haynes/Chilton says, the real-world answer is that the nuts should be tight enough to be snug on the bushing shoulders, but not overly tight and bulging. Over-tightened shackle bolts WILL make it ride worse.

It's hard to tell for sure from your picture, but it looks like those are distorted-thread locknuts? If so, just back them off to the right spot and check them after a few miles. If not, I'd just get some nylock nuts to replace them.

[maskale]

U need longer sleeves.

Are u using the factory sleeves? If so they are a half inch to short. Those bushing are a 1/4" thicker on each side then the factory ones.

Ur bushings may tear without the right sleeve, I imagine ride quality will be degraded also, more sway.


EDIT:

Well now I see that ur bottom bushing are thicker then the top, are they supose to be that way?

Either way ur sleeves need to be as thick as ur bushing, maybe just a tad shorter (1/16) so u put some preload on the bushings.

[SeventyOne]

Using the sleeves/bushings provided by Alcan spring when I bought my leaf springs. They are prothane brand.

I don't think I have the wrong parts - I'm more inclined to set the nut up where the bushing just starts to bulge and just loctite it and check it often.

anyone else?

[BLAZERMAN]

I agree with maskale..you need longer sleeves. can you show us how far in the sleeve ends when centered in the bushing? I know Alcan is a very reputable spring company but it could be a mix up on Prohanes part.

[TheWhiteElephant]

First off, I'm not an expert, nor do I play one on TV, but I just re-did all the bushings on my suspension and also found that the factory torque settings were too tight. I also replaced my rubbers with poly bushings. I would tighten as much as you saw fit and check them every once in a while. You don't want to overtighten the polys, and the torque specs in the factory manuals are for rubber bushings, not polys.

The nuts are lock nuts anyhow, no?

[maskale]

Regardless of material the torque is applied to the sleeve, not the bushings. Polly or rubber they don't stand a chance against the torque, so are of no consequence.
Posted via Mobile Device

[maskale]

Just to show, this is what over torque will do. I also only use DOM sleeves, you will probably have to buy separately.

[liftlawssuck]

I'm with maskale. You need longer sleeves. I just did mine on the front springs and they tightened fine with just a bit of preload on the bushing.

[SeventyOne]

Maybe I do need new sleeves but at this point I really don't want to take that shackle assembly apart.

It was a bear to get the new bushing and sleeve into the frame hole and then another hassle to get the new leaf spring to get into the exact position to get all the bolts through their holes.

I'm just going to loctite the bolt and tighten until I see a slight bulge on the bushings then recheck the nuts often. I really can't see how this will affect anything in the long run.

[OLDCHEV4X4]

It might feel a little loose going around corners on the road.

[SeventyOne]

It's also a lifted '71 Blazer on 37" tires. I'm not expecting much in the handling dept.

[Rack Man]

Originally Posted by SeventyOne

Maybe I do need new sleeves but at this point I really don't want to take that shackle assembly apart.

It was a bear to get the new bushing and sleeve into the frame hole and then another hassle to get the new leaf spring to get into the exact position to get all the bolts through their holes.

I'm just going to loctite the bolt and tighten until I see a slight bulge on the bushings then recheck the nuts often. I really can't see how this will affect anything in the long run.

You will ruin the bushing guaranteed....you need longer sleeves!.....But do whatever you want!

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by Rack Man

You will ruin the bushing guaranteed....you need longer sleeves!

How?

Originally Posted by Rack Man

.....But do whatever you want!

.....thanks?