Leaf Spring front bushing replacement w / PST

[birdsandbees]

Pulling my rear axle assembly apart. Got the original rubber bushing out of the front and there is a steel sleeve in the 2" curl. I'm I correct to assume that this sleeve needs to be removed to install my new PST Poly bushings?? 

[Kern Dog]

Do not install poly bushings in the FRONT eye. They will transmit too much harshness for a street car. The shackle bushings can take it because they slide and roll, but the fronts take the most force from the car.
This principle is similar to NOT using poly bushings in the LCAs but still using them everywhere else in the front end.

[birdsandbees]

THANKS! Does that sleeve have to come out either way?

I have both the normal rubbers and the poly for my LCA's and was going with old school. Can't remember if I have both for the leaf spring eye or not, but have lots of time to obtain if necessary.

[birdsandbees]

Can anyone advise on whether that sleeve needs to come out before the new bushing goes in??

[cavemanno1]

I'm going to install poly bushings as well!Never knew what Kern dog said about the front eye of the spring and the LCA.
Is there anywhere else that rubber should be used instead of poly?Do they sell rubber bushing just for the LCA and the front eye of the springs?

[green69rt]

Not sure but when you get your new bushings (whichever kind) you'll see that they have the outer sleeve and you'll know that you have to remove the old sleeve.

[birdsandbees]

Guess I'll wait to source the plain rubber bushings then, as the Poly one has no steel sleeve... but seems to need that entire hole diameter to fit. Don't think I could get it in there with the sleeve in place.

And Caveman... my lower control arm rebuild kit from PST came with both the Poly LCA bushing and regular steel sleeve / rubber ones, as apparently people had been complaining about the PST's squeaking or something (probably why they also came out with a greaseable shaft).

[CDN72SE]

I'm pretty sure when I installed the new bushings on my 72 I had to remove the liner, I tried and tried to get the new bushings in but wouldn't go with the liner, thought I had the wrong size.. My final resort was that I read the little instruction sheet that came with them and it said to remove them.

[JR]

I'm fairly sure that sleeve is part of the original bushing that needs to be removed.

If the replacement rubber bushing has a sleeve around it the same size, you'll know to remove the old one.

[birdsandbees]

Decided either way it had to go... before I have the springs blasted clean!