Leaf Spring Bushings - Polyurethane Replacements for H3 & H3T

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Jan 15, 2022 | 04:41 PM

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From: The Motor City

Leaf Spring Bushings - Polyurethane Replacements for H3 & H3T

Leaf Spring Bushings - Polyurethane Replacements For:
H3 & H3T original equipment leaf springs
And Rancho 4" lift leaf springs

Last year I did some research into polyurethane bushings for H3 & H3T leaf springs. I’m not sure this info is captured anywhere else, so I’m sharing it here. If it’s a duplicate, mods, feel free to delete this.

The appeal:
Energy Suspension website states:
Polyurethane Rear Leaf Spring Bushings

· Adds a dramatic amount of performance and durability to any vehicle!

· Improves vehicle handling, cornering and overall control.

· Helps the vehicle be in control when maneuvering through turns, during standing start accelerations, braking, even over bumps and berms.

· Made of Energy's HYPER FLEX performance polyurethane to add performance and durability.

Hey, I want that! My loved ones might love me more if they know I've chosen poly bushings.

The catch:
Energy Suspension does not sell a leaf spring bushing kit for Hummer H3. The bushing kits consist of the poly bushings and steel inner sleeves, and poly grease. Siberian bushing offers poly versions of the H3 original equipment rubber versions. Their link is below. I prefer the Energy version.
https://siberianbushing.com/catalog/...H3/GMT345/2009

The intriguing back story:
Hummer H3/H3T uses an M14 (or 9/16" diameter) bolt at all three bushing positions per side - Front/Rear/Shackle

Silverado and H3 bushings are nearly the same, the outer diameter is the same, width is the same, except Silverado uses an M16 (or 5/8" diameter) bolt in the Front position, with M14 (or 9/16" diameter) bolts at Rear & Shackle positions. Silverado leaf spring bushing kit won't work for Hummer H3 because the inner sleeve in the front position is too big - it's for an M16 bolt. The bushing at the rear position and shackle position will work.

The Silverado kit should work for H3 if we get a slightly thicker wall inner sleeve to size it down from the M16 bolt to an M14 bolt. Energy doesn't offer this inner sleeve. Energy also doesn’t sell the poly bushing with the correct outer diameter and inner diameter for H3. A different inner sleeve can be purchased separately. Links below.

You can find the Silverado bushing kit online plenty of places. Going with poly bushings is more expensive than using original, but I think they are better. I had the old bushings pressed out of the springs at a local spring shop. Well worth the money because it's a hassle getting those out.

The exciting conclusion:
If you are considering poly bushings for your factory leaf springs or Rancho leaf springs, I’d suggest these parts. These can be assembled into the leaf spring by hand, a press is not needed. I put a few thousand miles on my H3T with the Energy bushings and I’m happy with them. My loved ones noticed.

Part Numbers & Quantity for:
Hummer H3 - Leaf Springs - Original Equipment

Silverado Bushing Kit (about $100)
Energy Part Number: 3.2141
Quantity Needed: 1 kit - two inner sleeves will not be used
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/3.2141#fitment

Inner Sleeve (about $20)
Part number on McMaster: 98042A549
Quantity Needed: 2
Specs of this sleeve: 3" long x 1" O.D. X 9/16" I.D.
https://www.mcmaster.com/spacers/len...steel/id~9-16/
https://www.mcmaster.com/98042A549/

The kit does not include much poly grease. I’d suggest buying additional grease.
You'll also want some gloves because it's no fun getting the very sticky grease off your hands:
Formula 5 (for assembling poly bushings)
Smaller Quantity:
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/9.11110
Larger Quantity:
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/9.11104

Part Numbers & Quantity for:
Hummer H3 - Rancho Leaf Springs for 4" lift (Part Number RS44058E)
Note: I’ve read that Rancho had different spring suppliers, and early production springs may have had different outer diameter front and rear position bushings. Later production springs had the same outer diameter front and rear position bushings. Check your Rancho springs before purchasing. These parts are for later leaf springs:

Front Spring Position:
Polyurethane Bushing: BULK-2511
Quantity Needed: 4
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/bulk-2511

Inner Sleeve: BULK-15.10.276.39
Quantity Needed: 2
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/bulk-15.10.276.39

Rear Spring Position:
Polyurethane Bushing: BULK-2511
Quantity Needed: 4
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/bulk-2511

Inner Sleeve: BULK-15.10.276.39
Quantity Needed: 2
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/bulk-15.10.276.39

Shackle Position (in frame):
Polyurethane Bushing: BULK-2512
Quantity Needed: 4
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/bulk-2512

Inner Sleeve: BULK-15.10.276.39
Quantity Needed: 2
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/bulk-15.10.276.39

You'll need some grease and some gloves because it's no fun getting the very sticky grease off your hands:
Formula 5 (for assembling poly bushings)
Smaller Quantity:
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/9.11110
Larger Quantity:
https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/9.11104

Attorney recommended disclaimer:
Please confirm these parts work for you before you purchase them. You don’t know if I’m completely bananas or not. I'm also not affiliated with Energy Suspension, and have not received financial compensation from posting this information.