Author Topic: 1987 R30 Bushings Help  (Read 666 times)

Offline pootSkoot

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1987 R30 Bushings Help
« on: June 19, 2023, 04:47:30 PM »
Hello All!

I've dug through forums, unsuccessfully, to find the answer i'm looking for. Apologies ahead of time if I missed it in my search.

I've got a 1987 Chevrolet R30 crew cab dually 7.4l 454 2wd. I'm doing a ground up restoration on it and replaced the control arms with new MOOG ones. The truck sat outside in Arizona sun while the body work has been getting done so the sun has taken a toll on the brand new bushings in the control arms and leaf shackles/hangers. They're literally crumbling

I CANNOT for the life of me find anywhere that'll list what will actually fit this truck. Prothane has a kit 7-2021-BL that summit shows will fit but Jegs, Brothers, Holley, Prothane and Energy Suspension all say it will not fit.

Can anyone confirm what bushings or bushing kits are compatible with the R30? Even searching 1986 c30, very little items come up. The rear leaf bushings are 1.75"

Bushing needs =

upper and lower control arm bushings
tie rod boots
upper control arm boot
leaf bushings and shackle bushings


any help or direction is greatly appreciated!!

Offline Shifty

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Re: 1987 R30 Bushings Help
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2023, 05:24:19 PM »
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you should have control arm shafts, not rubber bushings...

Moog uppers should be K6134, lowers K6147. 

87 V20 Standard Cab Longbed (current)

87 R30 3+3 Longbed (days of yore)

98 C2500 ext cab longbed

Offline pootSkoot

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Re: 1987 R30 Bushings Help
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2023, 07:47:20 PM »
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe you should have control arm shafts, not rubber bushings...

Moog uppers should be K6134, lowers K6147.


You are correct. What are the rubber gaskets called that sit between the shaft?

Offline pootSkoot

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Re: 1987 R30 Bushings Help
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2023, 08:04:44 PM »
Digging through other forums and it doesn't look like the gaskets are sold individually. Sucks to have to replace a brand new shaft when I only need the bushings. :/

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: 1987 R30 Bushings Help
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2023, 08:20:42 PM »
I agree, post some pics so we can plot a solution.  :)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline pootSkoot

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Re: 1987 R30 Bushings Help
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2023, 08:35:45 PM »
pics

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: 1987 R30 Bushings Help
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2023, 08:52:44 PM »
Wow, looks like they're coming apart.

Definitely seals and not bushings.

Try looking from that angle, though it's going to be difficult to separate from hardware.

If it were me, I would look for look for rubber tubing that I could cut into sections that overlay the area.

In reality they are designed to keep dirt, water, and crap from getting into the threaded 'bushing'. Also to keep grease in the joint.

I don't see why a rubber sleeve would do the same thing. 
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Shifty

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Re: 1987 R30 Bushings Help
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2023, 09:25:22 AM »
The pictures speak volumes.  As Johnny said, I'd look into getting a foot of automotive-grade rubber hose, and cut my own.  Failing that, you could probably get away with 3M 1252 or 2084, but I think the rubber idea is better. 
87 V20 Standard Cab Longbed (current)

87 R30 3+3 Longbed (days of yore)

98 C2500 ext cab longbed