Has anybody used UHMW for leaf spring bushings? I've seen threads on using it for motor mounts and other stuff.
No I haven't, but I'd try it if I had some. Many years ago I was putting some leafs in my Rambler (for the front axle) and I did not have any bushings. I was REALLY wanting to drive the car so I ended up taking some "good" heater hose and machined a bushing to press inside of the hose (to prevent the bolt from riding directly on the hose) and then slid it into the ch***is mount which was another tube thus trapping the "hose bushing" in place. I did this as a "temporary fix" ***uming it would not last. It's been well over 10 years now - still as good as new. If I were to try delrin - I think I'd try a similar approach, but unless you NEEDED the added stiffness I'd just use the heater hose again.
I am thinking of replacing the bushings on my rear springs with Teflon, they should last forever, and should be easy to make on my lathe.
Teflon is too soft, it would probably fail after a few good romps on the throttle. UHMW or delrin are better choices.
Definately too soft. Delrin contains Teflon,part of why it machines so nicely. UHMW is another good choice.
Teflon will eventually squish out with a big load on it. It flows and creeps under heavy pressure. The round hole will look like an oval hole after while.
When I did my 67 Nova wagon ,I had Global West do the suspension..Their line of bushings were advertised as "Del-Alum" ...turned out to be a Delrin sleeve liner in an aluminum bushing.. along with all their other tricks (springs,shocks,reworked lower control armsetc ) ,the wagon handled like it was on rails...wish I had it back Stan
I'm using Teflon sleeves and bearings on my front axle's spindles. Magoo used to make them and use them. A local graybeard rodder has had a set in his hemi powered deuce roadster since the 70's and they haven't failed either. Is it a matter of different load applications (like horizontal leaf spring as opposed to vertical kingpin application), or are you guys saying my teflon bushings are destined to fail?
I got the teflon idea from an old article that referanced Magoo and stated he got great service from using it. I may consider something else however.
Teflon is a tradename for a few different fluorinated polymers like polytetrafluoroethylene and polytrifluorochloro ethylene. Some are stronger than others. There are filled versions that are filled with other materials to make them stronger or wear better for special purposes. Like there's a brown one called "Tefzel" that's filled with gl*** fibers to give it more strength. The pure white Teflon that I'm used to though that you can buy in rod and sheet form, machines like soap, and it's nice for lots of stuff when there's not a big load on it, but if you bolt down something tight against, it squishes out. I bet they use something other than pure white teflon for those kingpin bushings, because I can't imagine that stuff surviving a week in that application. Unless it's a completely different form of teflon. Lots of people use the name "teflon" as a generic term for all kinds of fluorinated plastics, but it's a tradename that belongs to DuPont or somebody. Or they may use some much stronger plastic that's filled with teflon to give it more lubricity. Pure white teflon is weak though.
check out Delrin. You can machine it like metal sort of, even thread the stuff, yet pliable and not squeeky. We use it for everything. yeah that's a generalization....
Maybe it is just a case of using a generic name. Like Jell-o. The bushings are white, as in WHITE white. Whatever it is, I'm sold. If after I get my truck on the road and they fail, I'll certainly give my findings.
Welp, here's some cost info for 3" round bar from McMaster Carr. I think I'm gonna go with the oil-filled UHMW stuff.
Sarge, check out Graphmo {sp?}, or nylotron {sp?} it is graphite impregnated plastic. Same stuff, self lubricating, meant for wear surfaces. UHMW is soft, we use it a lot at work as it's food grade, most plastics aren't.
I found nylatron at McMaster, but just nuts and such. I think 'Graphmo' isn't right. I found carbon fiber graphite, but it's too expensive.
They sell bar stock and sheets too. I have gotten it from McMaster. I think Graphmo is a brand name. Their discriptions are sometimes cryptic, you really have to look for somethings.
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