cab bushing question

[jaredts]

When I repaired my cab's floor/floor support I obviously had to unbolt the cab bushing from the floor support.  When I put the driver's side back together there was no problem but when I put the passenger side bushing on and bolted it down the lower bushing collapsed and cracked in several spots.  I have looked at several threads and don't see any sign that I have left out any parts.  When you bolt these down the lower bushing just gets squeezed right?  There isn't any steel rod or anything that keeps it from getting collapsed too much, is there?  I obviously need new bushings and just wanted someone to verify that this is just a bad bushing and not something else.  The bushing looked fairly good before I torqued it down.

While I'm at it:  is there a kit that includes the hardware or could someone help me out on that?  I see most people using Energy suspension on here, where did you get the bushing kit and where did you get the hardware?  Right now I just have new grade 8 bolts that don't have the flanged head so I had to use a washer under the head.  It seems like that would work but I'd rather have the correct bolts.

[ccz145a]

this is where I got mine http://www.p-s-t.com/pc-3219-210-chevrolet-gmc-pickup-12-34-and-1-ton-4wd-1967-98.aspx You will need your old bolts.

[jaredts]

Thanks.  Reusing the old bolts is not an option, though.  I think I have found a hardware kit at Summit.  Anyone just use grade 8 bolts with washers?  I'm still curious if anyone knows what I may have done wrong or if this is simply a sign of a bad bushing.  '83 c10 if that matters.

[Captkaos]

You can use normal bolts with a washer.\
There should be some type of sleeve in the bushings, the 81-87 had them built into the upper mount that the bushing goes on.

[jaredts]

Would that sleeve extend into the bottom bushing?  I just don't remember what exactly was there when I was into it, but thought that sleeve only went into the top bushing.  Thanks for the reply.

[Captkaos]

From memory it would extend into the lower piece.

[jaredts]

I just pulled the bolts out of both sides, and they both look the same.  I guess its the bottom of the sleeve I'm seeing on both, they're the same.  I think my bushing just gave up after being torqued for the first time in 30 years.  What's the absolute cheapest bushing set you can get or better yet bushing+hardware?

[Grim 82]

I went with the Daystar master kit from a local vendor because I needed all the leaf spring & sway bar bushings. It also came with the cab mounts but I haven't installed them yet. The whole kit was $195. I don't know what kind of truck you have, but here is just the cab mounts;
http://www.rockymountainsusp.com/Chevy_GM_bushings.htm#bodycabmounts
I think with new grade 8 bolts and washers you will be set, probably better than OEM.

[Captkaos]

Were they stock rubber bushings that you were trying to reuse?  If so, they are going to be brittle.

You can get rubber bushings from me:
http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=0851-909&Category_Code=C1

[jaredts]

Thanks for the link, Grim.  Capt, I was trying to reuse the stock rubber bushings.  The bolts were nearly rusted in two on each side, but the bushings didn't seem to be both failing so I started to question what I did.  That's a surprise that I can buy just one bushing!  Only thing is I don't think I can justify leaving the others in now that I've seen one fall apart.  That and the top cone washer piece is darn near bottomed out on the top bushings.  I need a whole set.

[Captkaos]

Personally, I buy all mine from P-S-T.  Have been for the past 24 years.

[jaredts]

Old topic, but the weather finally broke so I could get back on this.  I've figured out my problem--the steel washer tube mushroom shaped thing is crumbling.  On an '83 can I use a washer and steel tube?  I think I saw a post showing this on a '73-80, but those bushings are flat.  Someone care to educate me?  If I need to buy replacements a source would be helpful.

[jaredts]

Nevermind on this one.  With my trusty welder and some hardware I got 'er done.

[Grim 82]

Glad to hear it. What did you end up using?

[jaredts]

The sleeve part was rusted and collapsing on one of the factory "mushroom tubes".  I cut a round hole in it, welded in one of the thick factory 1/2" washers from one of the factory bushing bolts, and then used a steel sleeve from a tractor supply place thats for a three point hitch.  It was about 1/4" or so too short so I stacked up some washers between my welded mushroom washer and the sleeve.  The washers fit into the pocket on the bushing perfectly so it all stacked up without hitting anything on the bushing.  Cost me next to nothing.  Sorry, I should have taken pics.