1951 M38 leaf springs

[Brumbach]

I have the original leaf springs. They have the front non grease pivot bolts. I'm replacing the worn out bushings for the pivot bolts and available replacements are for a different model of willys jeep. Seems the vendors use the same part number of 921055. The dimension of the bushing measures correctly. Anyone have experience to share on the subject? Thanks - Bill

[wesk]

You say you have an M38 yet you mention FRONT PIVOT and the M38's pivot bolt is at the rear of the front spring.



The front of the front spring uses a shackle. Both the front and rear of the spring use bushings (bearings).

In the above drawing the rear pivot bushing/Bearing (silent block) is PN 7697597. The bolt size of the inner hole is 7/16". The CJ2A & 3A use a 9/16" bolt that is greasable PN 384228.

The front end of the front springs get U' bolt style shackles and use threaded bushings/Bearings.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[Brumbach]

I'm half right. The pivot bolt is forward (front) on the rear springs and behind (rear) on the front springs. All my pivot bolt bushings are toast. Unless your part number for the pivot bushing exists today, it provides little utility for a replacement. I've posted the only part number that I can find. Do you have opinion on this replacement or suggest another for consideration?

[wesk]

My part number for the bushing is correct for the M38. Please note in my post I have given the different part numbers for the CJ vs the M38. Again Please note that the center hole on those bushings are two different sizes. please note in my post above I gave the diameters of the respective bolts. 7/16" for the m38 and 9/16" for the CJ's.

Since your PN 921055 is for the later civilian 57 & up jeeps it will have a center hole of 9/16" which is 1/8" larger than the M38's bolt. The vendor listing that bushing as appropriate for the M38 is being a wee bit dishonest. You may be able to enlarge the bolt holes in your M38's spring pivot brackets to 9/16" but then you will also need to buy the late model civvy 9/16"x18 pivot bolts and nuts. It would help if you had posted a photo of this bushing and it's dimensions for us to offer an opinion however I did a bit of research on it and determined it is not the appropriate bushing for the m38's spring pivot. Don't let the ID dimension of the rubber liner fool you. It is 15/32" which is just a tad larger than the M38's 7/16" bolt but keep in mind for that rubber insert to work it must be slightly compressed by the pivot bolt. The correct CJ3B and CJ5 9/16" pivot bolts do exactly that.

Here's the raw data on each:

CJ3B CJ5 57-68.

[Brumbach]

I ordered bolts and bushings so maybe it'll come together. Thanks for the help.