A few suspension questions

[Dino]

The bushings in the rear need replacing and although the shackle bushings seem easy enough to do, what about the front bushings?  I would like to just replace the bushings with removing as little as possible. But if those are pressed in that may become a problem.  I want to use rubber bushings for our pothole rich roads but was it not recommended to use poly for the front leaf bushing?  Which part # is recommended?  Is Moog K7308 okay for the shackles?

I'm also going to have to set axle preload after I swap the pumpkin.  Can I do this without a dial indicator?  I did last time but I think I got lucky.

[Hard Charger]

Dino

the bushings are not pressed in. they just slide in to the spring eye's. I believe I used those same Moog rubber bushings.

for the front or forward ones I believe you need to drop the bracket to slide the bolt out of the leaf spring. if memory serves me right, trying to work in place the bolt has obstructions on both sides preventing it from sliding out.

the rear bushing was just a little more difficult because of the swing action in the shackle. I used a jack on the rear end to help maneuver. the shackle has attached bolts too one side and once thru the pearch and spring the opposite plate gets attached with a nut. these too go in one direction I believe also to clear the frame. difficult because you are threading both bushings at the same time. just some time squirming on your back.

[HPP]

I have run into both drop in and press in front bushings. Won't know until you get them out which you have.

Rubber vs poly seems to be an ongoing debate. For ride comfort and longevity, I'd say rubber. For minimal defletion and free moving suspension action, I'd say poly.

[68 RT]

The front spring bushings are metal sleeve bushings and will need to be pressed out. The rear spring eye bushings should just come out, teh upper spring bushings on my 68 just came right out. But a buddy with a 70 Duster had to burn his out and I have heard these can be a pain to get out.

I would jack up the car, put stands under the rails. Put a jack under the pumkin, loosen the rear shackle bolts and drop the rear enough to replace the bushings.

On my 68 I eneded up buying new front hangers and bolts as I could not break thehm free. Also don't tighten bolts/nut to final torque until you have the cars weight on the suspension.

May want to replace springs if they are original not musch more work involved.

Would use rubber bushings too, I got mine from summit racing, mopar performance.   

[Hard Charger]

K 7308 are leaf bushings.

think the discussion was for the front leaf bushing not the LCA.

Personally I do not like the poly bushings but I drive like an old fart.

[Dino]

Thanks for the comments guys.  I had the car on stands and looked everything over.  The springs seem fine, but who really knows until you have a brand new set to compare.  I'll take it to my mechanic and see what he has to say.  Either I buy the bushings and have him replace them or I'll add leaf springs to the list.  I swapped the pumpkin and that was enough crawling around on the floor for me.  I really don't enjoy all the work on these cars any more so I pick my battles and farm out the rest. 

The new 3.23 pumpkin works great though.  Perfect ratio for me and it's dead silent unline my 2.9 gears.