Spring Bushing Question

I was replacing the Shackle and bushings on my rear springs on one side earlier tonight and ran into a problem that I couldn't get the new bushing in the spring itself.

After a good deal of work and the air chisel I was able to get the old bushings out. I was able to put the bushing in the hanger without too much trouble, but the spring won't take the new one.

It seems like the spring is too small for the rubber bushing. It was just a sleeve with a larger bolt in it (1/2" I think). I assumed the old bushing had fallen apart and they just put a larger bolt in it. The spot in the spring is not just tight but like it just won't fit, I would say the diameter is about 3/32" to small for the bushing itself.

Now I'm not sure what's going on- suggestions?

 

Sounds like you have not got the old bushing sleeve out. There is an "inner and outer metal sleeve that the rubber part
is fitted between.. Take a hacksaw blade and cut through the outer sleeve and it will drive out fairly easy.

 

No, I definitely got it out, it was only the outer section left when I started. It's down to the curled section of the spring for sure.

I was able to do the other side without a problem first.

Can the eyes in the springs get bent or compressed over the years? These are almost certainly original.

 

Just make sure that the metal outer sleeve is in fact out. When I replaced mine, it looked as if the outer ring was not in there either, but what happened was though out the years the wear of the outer sleeve took on the shape of the spring. It blended or melted or what ever you want to call it, so well that you could not tell it was on there. It wasn't until I made a cut and took a flat head screw driver and rolled it alittle that you can see one was still in there.