warthog

I have been running Rustys 4.5" full spring packs in the rear for over three years now, they still work as advertised but the bushings are shot. Question is would you just replace the bushings? If so does anyone know a suitable substitute bushing to replace the Rustys bushing. Or would you just replace the full spring pack?
Thanks

jeep.kevin

just replace the bushing. No sense in getting rid of the whole spring. I believe that Rustys uses OEM size bushings so you can just replace them with some from your preferred auto parts dealer. Its weird since I had rustys springs that were about 5 yrs old and the bushings were still good. I donlt know how yours went so quickly.

warthog

All the research I have done says Rustys went from using OEM bushing to a different size around 4-5 years ago. If you look up Rustys bushings. They say OEM will not fit on there spring packs. Do you know the OEM bushing width off the top of your head for front and back?

jeep.kevin

I don't know off the top of my head. What is it that is making you think the bushings are bad? are they just all chewed up? I got my rustys springs used so maybe they were older and they still used the OE bushings.

One thing I'll say about rustys 4.5" springs is that they didn't ride very well. I never noticed until I switched to Rubicon Express springs, but the ride was always kinda harsh in the back end. Do you see the same thing with yours?

warthog

I have a horrible metal on metal noise when it's starts to flex the least bit. I will go out and measure to see what length bushings I have

salad

Sounds like the leafs/leaves are just rubbing together. Lube em up

jeep.kevin

I had the same squeak with my rustys springs. I replaces the little plastic washers and repainted them and lubed em up and then I was good after that.

warthog

Yeah I lubed them down from front to back with marine grease. Still creaking and cracking. Next time I off road I will take a video of the sound. That could be a while though because of work

jeep.kevin

Thats weird. When I lubed mine i just used regular auto grease. Same stuff i used on my steering and other stuff and I didn't have an issue after that. But i also sanded down each leaf and repainted them and then lubed em and put it all back together.

warthog

Ah so you took apart the whole spring pack? How long did that take you minus the painting

jeep.kevin

taking out one leaf pack at a time and doing it. The whole process with paint drying was about 8hrs. But i used a die grinder with a brillo pad on it to sand em down fast. then I used POR15 black on em. Be careful if you use POR wear gloves because if you get it on your skin get ready for a few days of it being on you.