Replace Bushings in Leaf Springs?

[mrgrim007]

My 2002 Suburban 2500 has worn/rotted bushings in the leaf springs. Should I get these replaced before we move to a heavier TT? Would it be cheaper or better to just replace the springs (and maybe add an extra)?

Our current TT is 6,000 GVWR and we’re looking at a 34’, 9,995 GVWR.

Thanks

[Grit_dog]

Thought about this thread today when I looked at, and bought, a 34 year old pickup.
3/4 ton Chevy, camper package coincidentally, and it is setup for hauling a TC, which it did in a previous life. And evidenced by the flattened ribs on the truck bed floor being the only appreciable damage to the bed, it was a heavy camper and it was on that truck for more than a little bit.

The spring bushings "look" cracked. But it's tight. No noise over bunks and the springs are hard as a rock and still have all their original arch.

Unless the OPs truck has been beat like a pack mule its whole life, the springs are more than likely just fine.

[CharlesinGA]

mrgrim007 wrote:
My 2002 Suburban 2500 has worn/rotted bushings in the leaf springs. Should I get these replaced before we move to a heavier TT? Would it be cheaper or better to just replace the springs (and maybe add an extra)?

Our current TT is 6,000 GVWR and we’re looking at a 34’, 9,995 GVWR.

Thanks

While the exposed ends of the bushings probably look cracked and bad, I'll bet the rubber further in is perfect. If you want to do something, as already noted, get polyurethane bushings if they are available.

Unless you have been hauling heavy loads, the leaf springs are probably in excellent condition. I have seen the 2500 spring pack, co-worker shopped for a year for a 2500 4wd 8.1 combo. Ended up getting one in Austin. That thing is a hauling beast. His is an '05 with the air shock system and 4.10 gears. Hauled a '70 charger on a trailer back from Indiana to Atlanta and said he could not even feel the trailer back there.

Charles

[BurbMan]

FYI, the secondary fuel tank must be removed to get the shackle bolt that holds the spring on the RR shackle out. Little known fact the 8.1L Suburbans have 2 fuel tanks, both with electric in-tank pumps.

In the 200-2005 years GM used uncoated steel brake and fuel lines, and if you live in a state that likes salt and film spray on the roads, they will rust away and fail. I replaced mine in 2013 with a set of pre-bent stainless brake and fuel lines from Classic Tube. Good PM to change the fuel pumps while the tanks are out, and to your point, change those shackle bushings.

[deltabravo]

agesilaus wrote:
Just replace the bushings, not a big job. Etrailer and Dyers both sell them as well as other places. A lot of times the originals may be plastic/nylon and if so replace them with brass bushings or something newer.

Motor vehicles don't use nylon or brass bushings in the leaf springs.

[K-9_HANDLER]

BenK wrote:
K-9, X2 but not for my Sub yet

All springs wear out over time....most don't keep their vehicles long enough to experience it...also depends how they are used

Overloading and hard usage will greatly decrease their lifespan

Very true. Have broken more then one set as well.

[C_Schomer]

FWIW, I spent $742 at a spring shop, reaching and adding a leaf, last fall and a week later i saw I could have gotten new progressive spring packs from Carli or Thuren for $450. I don't have very much experience with TTs but I would think a weight distribution hitch rated for the trailer weight would take care of it. If your suburban has ratings High enough for the TT you want you could always get that TT and then see if the springs need any work. It still wouldn't hurt to replace your bushings with urethane but I'd wait until I know about the springs . Craig

[C_Schomer]

FWIW, I spent $742 at a spring shop, reaching and adding a leaf, last fall and a week later i saw I could have gotten new progressive spring packs from Carli or Thuren for $450. I don't have very much experience with TTs but I would think a weight distribution hitch rated for the trailer weight would take care of it. If your suburban has ratings High enough for the TT you want you could always get that TT and then see if the springs need any work. It still wouldn't hurt to replace your bushings with urethane but I'd wait until I know about the springs . Craig

[Grit_dog]

Good to ask, but replacing the springs is not a periodic service requirement.
Hard to compare to “new” so to speak so it is a bit subjective and you don’t mention total miles and how much “work” it’s done.
But assuming 150-200k miles, mostly unloaded with even say 20-30% towing a modest trailer (And if with a wdh it puts even less stress on the springs), the rear springs should not be anywhere near wore out.

[mrgrim007]

Thanks for the responses! I’m not sure if I need new leaf springs or not. They look fine to me - they’re not broken and everything seems fine while towing my current trailer. But that could change if I go to a heavier trailer, which is what I’m worried about.

We’ve already rebuilt the tranny about 1.5 years ago, I rebuilt the front end last year, new tires, etc. So I guess we’re just gonna keep this thing going.

I wasn’t sure if this was something I should just do, given the age of the Suburban - meaning, it’s a 2002, and maybe leaf springs or bushings should be changed not matter what?

I’m OK with putting more money into because it’s a lot cheaper than a new truck!

[Grit_dog]

It's dependent on whether the springs are getting sacked out or not. "Most" trucks, unless used regularly for heavy work, don't really wear out their leaf springs. I can think of exactly 2 trucks out of dozens that have needed new leaf springs over the years.
Now if the new trailer will ovepower the stock springs, that is another concern. Add a leaf, add helpers, airbags, air shocks, Timbrens, etc etc, the options besides replacing a perfectly good spring pack are numerous.

If the bushings are destroyed and sloppy, replace 'em. If they're just showing cracking, so are the ones on most every truck out there over 10-15 years old, towing stuff daily. I wouldnt replace them unless they're worn.
Putting money into an old truck, presuming you own an old truck for economic reasons, should be considered carefully.

[BenK]

K-9, X2 but not for my Sub yet

All springs wear out over time....most don't keep their vehicles long enough to experience it...also depends how they are used

Overloading and hard usage will greatly decrease their lifespan

[K-9_HANDLER]

Having done both complete spring replacements and adding leaves in the past id vote for replacing the whole thing. Not sure if your doing the job yourself if so they are not that bad to swap out. Doing some checking for your vehicle they have 2500# and 3100# choices. Price difference is only 22 bucks. They even have a 3500# spring for armored burbs.

[theoldwizard1]

LIKE2BUILD wrote:
I too was going to suggest just replacing the entire spring, until I saw the price of a Complete new spring. Yep, that's $350 PER SIDE!!!!

I had a spring shop add a leaf to my old E150. Less than $200 installed.

[LIKE2BUILD]

I too was going to suggest just replacing the entire spring, until I saw the price of a Complete new spring. Yep, that's $350 PER SIDE!!!!

For bushings you're looking at about $40 per side in parts. If you do the work yourself that's super cheap. Even if you hire a shop that's maybe 2 hours of work so parts and labor you're maybe into this for $400 total. That's a heck of lot better than $700 just for the springs.

KJ