I was just wondering if there is a way to put the bushings in a shock without using any lube. I have had both of my rear lower shock bushings blow out on me in the last couple of weeks. I used some 75w90 synthetic gear oil to get them in the eyes of the shock and am wondering if that is why they are tearing apart. Also I have been runing the nut down untill it won't go anymore. Is that too tight?

 

You should have a washer that goes on just before the nut if memory serves..My general rule is I tighten em down till the shock can't move. I then check the torque and go from there...You shouldn't have to smash the bushing against the shock eye to have it tight enough.

 

Yes there is a washer that goes just between the bushing and the nut. Is lock-tite reccomended so that the nut won't back off? I just don't want the nut to back off and have the shock come loose while driving down the road! I looked in my FSM and there is no specified TQ for the shocks. What about the whole lubing the bushing thing, is that okay?

 

You could use some mild lock tight but nothing to strong as if ya need to replace em you don't want em to snap or anything. To me if you are blowing out bushings one fo two possibilities...To tight and binding the bushing or to lose and moving around..

 

Use grease to aid in getting the bar pin in. What i do is put it in bit and then flip the shock over and rest the other end of the bar pin against the ground (or in a vice). I push down on the shock moving it up and down and it slides in place. Sometimes when it's stubborn, i use just my ball joints press or a vice. You can round off the sharp corners of the bar pin if they are sharp, to prevent cutting up the bushing. If you keep having problems, opt for bar pin eliminators.

 

It's not the bar pin side that I'm having problems with. It is the axle side in the rear. I think that maybe i'm just tightening them too much like OKC said. I will give that a shot next time.

 

This will sound crazy but I used a little bit of dish soap to get the bushing in. I have also used sweat from the forehead and it worked. I told you it was crazy.

 

Dish soap or hand cleaner work too. GoJoe I think it is called.

 

Those sound like good ideas. I will try them next time I change out the bushings. For now I'm just going to run what I have in there untill they fail on me.

 

Could be the angle of the lower mount. When you lift the vehicle, you have to tilt the axle to keep the driveline happy. This tilts the bolt that the lower shock uses. Mine's tilted and at a funny angle so the bushing gets squashed a little. It's hard to get the shock on that bolt. I have to pound it on and then force it on the rest of the way by tightening the nut.

 

Be careful with some hand soaps if they contain pumice. That grit will work on your bushings and pins and make them loosen up like injecting sand in there. Stick with Dawn or some other plain dish detergent. Works like a charm for fitting up those bushings and tight pins and will wash out with time.

 

I have to drag up an old thread, but where do you get the bushings? one of mine split (top rear)on me and im hoping i dont need to buy the whole shock.

thanks

 

a hammer.

you should be able to get them at your local auto parts store.