Front Spring Bushings On 22' Touring

[Shawn_P]

OK i think they need to make a manual on how to restore these cars because i have a ton of questions and i think shortly people are gonna tell me to shut up... Just kidding.. OK here is my question, well i have two, First one is this. My bushings on my springs are shot.. No surprise, Now with the leaf springs themsevles, is it easier to take them to a spring shop and have new bushings put in? Secondly, How do i go about changing the bushings on the Front spring rear Hanger, the one that is attached to the car frame. Do i drill it out and get a new one made? Are they sleaves or one piece unit?

Thanks guys!

Shawn

[Jan Arnett]

Shawn: The bushings are pressed in Bronze busing. You can get them from Romar or I purchased mine from sears. I removed mine by getting a long threaded bolt which will go from one side to the other of the eye. Get a socket which will just fit in the eye and put the bolt through it. Take another socket which has and inside diameter large emough to allow the old busing to be pulled into the socket. Take your bolt put a large washer on then the smaller socket put thru the spring eye then the larger socket, then a large washer and then a nut. When you tighten the nut it will pull the socket thru the eye and the bushing will go into the large socket. You can press the bushing back in with a reverse process. There is a Dodge Mechanics manual that you should purchase. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

[Shawn_P]

Thats ingenious! I actually have that book, as well as book of information... I didnt even think to look in that book, silly me serves me right lol. Thanks again for the input Jan... I take it you have restored one yourself? any other tidbits you would like to share? I am starting with the chassie and working my way up.. anyhting to look out for with the rear end? also What do people use now for mufflers? or none?

[Jan Arnett]

Shawn: I staqrted working on cars at 14 and I am 61 now so I have been through a few. How you restore it depends on how much time, money and patience you have. If you have the room I like to remove the springs from the frame and rebush the springs and then put teflon between the leafs to make it ride a little better. Unless you know that you have problem in the rear end I usually just flush out the old grease and put it back together. In a Model T you need to replace the bushing but not a dodge. I would replace the grease seals and if you are real driven you can put modern seals in. I would reline the brakes and make sure there is not excessive wear on the clevis pins. Unscrew all the clevis pins and grease them so they will turn later. Make sure you get the serial number off the frame before you paint it. make sure you run your new wire before you put the body back on and if you decide to do turn signals put the wire in for them. Check your king pins for play and replace them while you have the front end apart. Clean out all grease fitting holes and run a clean up tap through them to make sure all threads are good. Check your outboard bearings in the rear end. Hope this helps. Take lots of pictures both still (digital) and movies. i set up a camera on a tri pod next to me and film the diasambly in case something get dropped. Build a baby book of your progress. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Shawn_P]

Well im sure glad you dont mind me asking questions, I guess it must bring back good memories then if you have been at it for that period of time. Good to know about the Teflon... I remeber reading somewhere that they use to use graphite inbetween the springs.. both products will do fine im sure!