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| | | 8 1/4 rear axle u-bolt size | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | OP Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | I am going to be replacing the rear leaf springs and rebuilding the rear suspension on my brother's 83 Dodge shorty van. It is a 1/2 ton suspension with an 8 1/4 rear axle. What size u-bolts do I need? I'm too lazy to go outside and grab a measuring tape....
Also, can anyone offer any tips on removing the oval bushings from the front eye of the springs?
Last edited by Reed; November 02nd 2010 1:32 pm.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: 8 1/4 rear axle u-bolt size | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 21,211 Likes: 25 Supreme Master | Supreme Master Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 21,211 Likes: 25 | Try a measuring tape. The one time that I actually changed the fixed bushings, I had to have them pressed out because the bushings are encased in a metal sleeve.
Nate Breece | | | Re: 8 1/4 rear axle u-bolt size | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | OP Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Ha ha. I guess I'll have to go find a tape measure and measure it myself. Dang, you guys sure do make things difficult sometimes... I actually am anticipating pressing the bushings out, I even have an arbor press I intend on using to do it. I was just wondering if anyone else had experience pressing these particular bushings and if they had any tips. Since i am upgrading form the 1400 pound rated springs to the 1800 pound rated springs, my plan was to go get a junkyard set of 1800 pound springs and clean them up and get all the bushings pressed in place and get the new u-bolts ready to go so the actual rear suspension rebuild would go quickly. just drop the old springs, cut the u-bolts, slide the springs out, slide the new springs in, bolt everything back up, and be done. I am hoping to not even have to remove the tires, driveshaft, or crack the brake line. We'll see.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: 8 1/4 rear axle u-bolt size | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 Madman! | Madman! Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 | I have never been able to press out old bushings. Unless you have a 50 ton press with all the right blocks it's near impossible to press old rusty bushings out. I normally burn the bushings out with a propane torch. Once the rubber and center sleeve is out, cut the outer sleeve gently with a hack saw to just about through and using a chisel tap the sleeve in toward the center and down till it rips at your cut and compresses enough to slide it out. | | | Re: 8 1/4 rear axle u-bolt size | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | OP Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Crap. That's just wat I didn't want to hear. Oh well. I'll give it a go anyway. I was able to replace the front control arm bushings on my brother's 74 Duster using my one ton press, so maybe I will get lucky.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: 8 1/4 rear axle u-bolt size | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 Madman! | Madman! Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 28,125 | Good luck, but control arm bushings are a lot different. You never know though, you may get lucky! | | | Re: 8 1/4 rear axle u-bolt size | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 142 member | member Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 142 | 3" axle think was what i bought in perches but too lazy to confirm it | | | Re: 8 1/4 rear axle u-bolt size | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | OP Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | Yup, they were 3 inches inside diameter.
I got lucky- the bushings in the junkyard leaf springs I got were in decent shape, so I let them, be. Because I had all the parts and tools lined up and ready to go, it took a touch under two hours from start to finish to swap both rear leaf springs. I didn't even disconnect the brake lines or driveshaft. Heh!
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