The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun Front end rubber

For a 49 3800, anyone have the best source for all the front end rebuild bushings? I want to replace all the bushings in the front end so some of the sway/swag/shimmy gets straightened out. Quality suppliers/Vendors and tips appreciated.

ESPO Springs and Things. There's no rubber there except for the gaskets on the shackles, it's all steel and brass. You will/may need a king pin set, front shackle set, pins and bushings for the rear of the springs, maybe tie rod ends, a drag link or drag link rebuild kit, and check your steering box at the pitman arm for excessive play. Bad or improperly adjusted wheel bearings will cause slop too. I had to replace EVERYTHING on my 3800 pickup suspension including my main front leafs because it had been a North Dakota farm truck all its life and had 80,000 miles on it. You will also need a heavy hammer, a set of steel and brass drifts, a torch (maybe) and some patience. It's all pretty straightforward work, except if you need to rebuild your steering box, and that isn't too hard either

PO replaced the kingpins not long before being put out to pasture. The front end is sound as a cat, no play, no wander, no slop. I guess I incorrectly stated that after I re-read my post. When I said bushings, I was meaning to say all the front end rubber, such as what sits in/over/around the idler arms, shock arm mounts, etc.

All mine is badly weathered, and while everything is sound for the most part, I would like to replace to give a uniform look. Parts may be unavailable, and I'd just have to deal with that.