Leaf Spring Bushing

Replace worn leaf spring bushings on the rear suspension to restore proper spring function and eliminate squeaking or handling issues.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Leaf spring eye bushing (front) × 2 — Use OEM specification or aftermarket equivalent
• Leaf spring shackle bushing (rear) × 4 — Use OEM specification or aftermarket equivalent
• Polyurethane or rubber bushing lubricant × 1 — Specific to bushing material type

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Chock front wheels securely
3. Spray all leaf spring mounting bolts, shackle bolts, and U-bolt nuts with penetrating oil
4. Gather all tools and parts before beginning work

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack positioned on the rear axle housing or frame. Lift high enough to allow the rear wheels to hang free. Place jack stands under the frame rails just forward of the rear spring hangers. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands while keeping the floor jack under the axle with slight upward pressure to control axle movement.
2. 2

   Remove rear wheels
   Remove the lug nuts and both rear wheels to provide better access to the leaf spring assembly and U-bolts.
3. 3

   Support the rear axle
   Position a floor jack under the center of the rear axle housing with a block of wood to protect the axle. Apply just enough upward pressure to support the axle weight without compressing the springs.
4. 4

   Remove U-bolts
   Remove the 4 nuts from the two U-bolts securing the leaf spring to the axle housing on one side. Remove the U-bolt plate and both U-bolts. The axle may drop slightly; control descent with the floor jack.
   ⚠U-bolts may be severely rusted. Use penetrating oil and a wire brush before attempting removal.
5. 5

   Remove rear shackle
   At the rear of the leaf spring, remove the two bolts securing the shackle to both the frame hanger and the spring eye. The shackle has one bolt through the frame bracket and one bolt through the spring rear eye. Remove both bolts and set the shackle aside. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers.
   ℹ️Mark or photograph shackle orientation and washer positions before removal for correct reassembly.
6. 6

   Remove front spring eye bolt
   At the front of the leaf spring, remove the single bolt passing through the front spring eye and the frame-mounted spring hanger. The spring is now free from the vehicle. Carefully lower and remove the spring assembly.
7. 7

   Remove old front eye bushing
   Inspect the front spring eye bushing. If worn, cracked, or compressed, press out the old bushing using a bushing press, C-clamp with appropriately sized sockets or spacers, or a hydraulic press. The outer metal sleeve may be bonded to the rubber; it must be removed with the bushing. Clean the spring eye bore thoroughly with a wire brush.
8. 8

   Install new front eye bushing
   Apply bushing lubricant to the inner bore of the spring eye and the outer diameter of the new bushing. Press the new bushing into the spring eye until it is centered and seated flush on both sides. Ensure the bushing is not cocked or misaligned during installation. If using polyurethane bushings, follow manufacturer instructions regarding lubrication.
9. 9

   Remove old shackle bushings
   The rear spring eye and both ends of the shackle plates contain bushings (4 total per side). Press out all worn bushings from the rear spring eye and from both shackle plate eyes. Clean all bores with a wire brush and inspect for cracks or damage.
10. 10

    Install new shackle bushings
    Apply bushing lubricant and press new bushings into the rear spring eye and both shackle plate eyes until fully seated and centered. Ensure all bushings are oriented correctly with any voids or flats aligned per manufacturer instructions.
11. 11

    Reinstall leaf spring front mount
    Lift the leaf spring assembly back into position and align the front eye with the frame hanger. Insert the front eye bolt through the frame hanger and spring eye. Install the washer and nut but do not fully tighten yet. Leave the bolt snug enough to hold position but allowing movement.
12. 12

    Reinstall rear shackle
    Position the shackle between the rear spring eye and frame bracket, ensuring correct orientation as noted during disassembly. Insert both shackle bolts through the frame bracket and spring eye, install washers and nuts, but do not fully tighten yet. The spring should now be supported at both ends.
13. 13

    Raise axle and install U-bolts
    Use the floor jack to carefully raise the rear axle until the spring seats properly into the axle spring pad. The center bolt of the leaf pack should align with the hole in the axle pad. Install both U-bolts over the axle housing, position the U-bolt plate, and thread on all 4 nuts. Tighten the U-bolt nuts in a criss-cross pattern gradually to prevent binding.
14. 14

    Torque all fasteners with vehicle at ride height
    With the axle supported by the jack at approximately normal ride height (slight upward pressure), torque the front eye bolt nut, both shackle bolt nuts, and all U-bolt nuts to the values specified in the 1972 Ford F-100 shop manual, tightening the U-bolt nuts in a criss-cross pattern. Bushing fasteners must be torqued at ride height to prevent binding and premature bushing failure. Verified detail (The U-bolt torque specification of 60 ft-lbs seems low for a 1972 F-100. Factory specifications for this era F-100 U-bolts typically range from 75-90 ft-lbs depending on U-bolt size. 60 ft-lbs is more typical of lighter-duty applications.): torque the front eye bolt nut to 75 ft-lbs, both shackle bolt nuts to 75 ft-lbs, and all U-bolt nuts to 75-85 ft-lbs
15. 15

    Repeat for opposite side
    Repeat steps 4 through 14 for the opposite side leaf spring assembly. Ensure both sides are completed before lowering the vehicle.
16. 16

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Reinstall both rear wheels and torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Remove jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the ground.

Reassembly

1. All leaf spring mounting bolts and shackle bolts must be torqued with the suspension at normal ride height to prevent bushing bind
2. After 50-100 miles of driving, re-torque all U-bolt nuts and mounting hardware
3. Road test the vehicle and listen for any squeaks or clunks indicating improper installation

Verification

• Visually inspect all bushing installations to ensure they are seated flush and centered in their bores
• Confirm all fasteners are installed and properly torqued
• Bounce the rear of the vehicle to verify the suspension moves freely without binding or unusual noises
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed over bumps to verify proper suspension function and absence of squeaks

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