ok started the front end rebuild, and spring repair, and brake system rebuild. got it all aprt this weekend and ordered all the parts. king pins, tie rod ends, drag link, new main springs, shakles, brake rebuild kits.. etc.. went ok, there were inches of build up of gunk on the front end and suspension took a full day of chipping and wire wheeling just to find the actual metal parts and bolts to take it apart.. amazing... i do have a question.. the bolt at the rear of my front spring has wore thru the bushing and ovaled out the spring hole.. so i order new main spring and plan to replace the top main spring on both my front springs.. I have read some things that say i should have my existing springs re-arced.. i am not planing to do this.. i just want to replace the main spring.. any problem doing this? also the front spring front shakle assembly seem to have a threaded bushing in the truck frame.. my threaded shakle pin going thru this bushing is frozen.. can i just drive the bushing and pin out of the frame? thanks
DO NOT re-arc the springs ! EVER !! once a spring is floppy , it's dead . Since most of you alls like the lowered look ,live with it or buy new Eaton or Diamond springs , they're not that expen$ive . I used to take a buncha old springs and take 'em apart , match up the curviest and least worn leaves then re-assemble , using gobs of graphite grease or Teflon tape between the leaves (either will give a buttery smooth ride) . Match up the new spring eye bushings _before_ you press out the old ones ! If they look right , they prolly are . New springs come with new bushings installed . Often the threads are worn right through and leave little shiny marks inside the spring eye ~ at this point any shop or dealer will junk the spring due to liability reasons but all the farmers I've ever known , just press in a new bushing and it's fine . PRESS the bushings in and out , DON'T bang 'em with a BFH !
