By: ‘BlackBII’
Every found yourself having to replace the the bushings in your leaf springs? This can either be because the bushings are bad, or the bolt has rusted inside the bushing and won’t come out. If that’s the case, cutting the bolt with a sawzall or cutoff wheel to to get the spring out of the hanger is going to be the biggest obstacle.
Removing The Bushing:
Forum member ‘BlackBII’ used a hole saw to cut the bushing from both sides.
There’s still going to be some rubber left. You can burn out what’s left. Some people torch these out which is even quicker, just be sure to not damage the spring itself.
You’ll likely end up with the bushings metal sleeve still in the spring.
You can drive that out with a chisel and hammer. If you cut it, it makes it even easier. You can cut it with a sawzall, or with a hacksaw. If you use a hacksaw, you’ll have to remove the blade, slide it through the bushing hole, and then re-attach the hacksaw to the blade.
When you chisel out the bushing, just fold it in on itself.
And then install the new bushings.
Forum member ‘Shran’ says:
“My method – use a hole saw to cut through the rubber, have to hit it from both sides, then use an old kitchen knife to cut out the rest (easy.) Sawzall through the outer sleeve, chisel it out. Grease new bushings and use a press (preferred) or ball joint tool or bench vise to push the new bushings in. I’ve torched them out too, never again.”
What Bushings Do I Need?
1983-1997 Ford Ranger (Moog)
Moog-K200129 (Rear Hanger)
Outside Diameter (in): 1-1/4 Inch
Inside Diameter (in): 9/16 Inch
Length (in): 3 Inch
Moog-SB340 (Front Hanger)
Outside Diameter (in): 1-5/8 Inch
Inside Diameter (in): 9/16 Inch
Length (in): 3 Inch
1983-2003 Ford Ranger (Dayton)
Dayton RB159 (Front Hanger)
A-Outer Diameter: 1-5/8 inch
B-Length: 2-1/2 inch
C-Length: 3 inch
D-Inner Diameter: 9/16 inch
Dayton RB131 (Rear Hanger)
A-Outer Diameter: 1-1/4 inch
B-Length: 2-9/16 inch
C-Length: 3 inch
D-Inner Diameter: 9/16 inch
Note:Replaces RB-160
2004-2001 Ford Ranger (Dayton)
Dayton RB296 (Front Hanger)
Dimensions unknown
Dayton RB297 (Rear Hanger)
Dimensions unknown
1991-1994 Explorer Leaf Springs
Dayton RB-159 (Front Hanger)
A-Outer Diameter: 1-5/8 inch
B-Length: 2-1/2 inch
C-Length: 3 inch
D-Inner Diameter: 9/16 inch
Dayton RB-131 (Rear Hanger)
A-Outer Diameter: 1-1/4 inch
B-Length: 2-9/16 inch
C-Length: 3 inch
D-Inner Diameter: 9/16 inch
Can use Energy Suspension 4.2124 kit for polyurethane bushings.
1995-2001 Ford Explorer Leaf Springs
Dayton RB-237 (Front Hanger)
A-Outer Diameter:1-7/8 inch
B-Length: 2-1/2 inch
C-Length: 3 inch
D-Inner Diameter: .551 inch (14mm)
Dayton RB-131 (Rear Hanger)
A-Outer Diameter:1-1/4 inch
B-Length: 2-9/16 inch
C-Length: 3 inch
D-Inner Diameter: 9/16 inch
Can use 3.2125 for the front bushings by leaving the outer shells in the spring and order 2x 2086 and sleeves for the rear bushings.
The rear bushing is the same as a 1991-1994 Ford Explorer.
And as a general Explorer spring note, the holes for the plastic pads is 1/2″ diameter, springs are 2-1/2″ wide.