Budget Shackle Bushings

[Jasons72]

I'm running Hotchkis 3 inch drop leaf springs on my 72 Nova and no matter how much i grease the shackle bushings they squeak and squeak and squeak. I'm also running a fairly tall tire on a 15" wheel that needs about a half inch more backspacing (they are temporary until i can afford 18's). I'm going to make a new plate for the shackle to raise the rear about a half inch to get the tire bulge from rubbing, its not really bad but if i hit a really bad bump it will graze just enough to leave a brush mark. I want to go with new bushings but i don't want to spend 180 plus on the global west bushings when i'm not even going to use the plates. Are there any solid bushings available for the rear of the leaf spring and the frame?

[Vegas69]

If your bushings are Poly using the wrong grease can make them squeak. They reccomend a silicone based lubricant. I've got a spray can of it and have used in on my bushings and end links. Cured a squeak I had.

[Jasons72]

Not sure if it was silicone based, that could be the problem, but i still wanted to go with a solid bushing to keep the rear from moving too much, i'm still keeping the rubber front eye bushing though.

[Jasons72]

Anyone? Bueler, Bueler

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by Jasons72

Not sure if it was silicone based, that could be the problem, but i still wanted to go with a solid bushing to keep the rear from moving too much, i'm still keeping the rubber front eye bushing though.

don't half cheek it, go all in or don't. Just get an energy suspension poly kit. Put the lube where it needs to go.

The problem with the energy suspension and other bushing companies is there is no grease track to keep the grease in the rear shackle bushings.

You can cut a channel into the bushing with a small skinny hand saw or cut a few small grooves into the through bolt. Also don't over tighten the bolts

vince

[Jasons72]

The shackle bushings are poly already, i may remove them and put slots into them to help hold more grease, but the front needs to stay rubber from what i'm told.

[SLO_Z28]

You can buy some "delrin" acetal materiel and take it to a machine shop and have them toss it on a lath and make your own bushing. Its what most solid bushings are made of.

http://www.cncplastics.com/acetals.htm