Torque arm links. The trailmaster lift came with extensions that you plug the new links into. The links are part number 15996064 from GM I haven't found a third party who makes these other than at napa. GM and napa wanted $45 each. I found them on ebay for $25. Just stuck the jack under the crossmember to support the weight, unscrewed them and screwed on the new ones. I also added locktite to the extenders.

 

Just took a wire wheel to the hitch and the frame. Then primed it with some zinc etching primer and undercoated it. Here are the pics

During Wirewheeling

After undercoat

 

looks real good. how long did it take you to get all the rust down to bare metal. I woulda used POR-15 since you took it down to the bare metal.

 

Not long, a 25,000 rpm wirewheel destroys cancer (rust) maybe 1 hour for the mid section of both frame rails

 

An Now for new Leaf Springs

The left is after the wirewheel, the right is before. Picked them up for $35 each

 

Removing the Bushings:

I had to head them with a torch first.. Found a use for the Haynes manual

 

Flamin up good.. It starts to boil out the rubber, which I found the only thing that will get it out of carpet... googone orange I tracked some in my house..

 

I then hammered out the bushing till I could grab and pull it out with pliers. It will be hot as hell so be careful. I have some nice burns on my neck and arm from molten rubber splashing from the first swing of the hammer..

 

Aaaand a snag.. The site I got the Energy Bushings from said the 3.2129 Bushings would fit. They don't. Since I have the Z85 suspension, I actually need 3.2142 bushings. These have 4 2 inch wide eye bushings and 4 1.5 inch rather than 8 1.5 inch. Guess it will be a few more days.

 

New (correct) bushings are on the way... As I'm driving home I hear a loud bang and assume its the bushings... I get under it to check it and the rear upper driverside shock mount broke and the shock busted right through it... Anyone have any idea where I can get another?