'90 Amigo rides very rough, a speed bump rattles the whole rear of the vehicle. Should I get a whole new set of leafs or will the add-a-leaf jobs help? How much difference would good bushings make?

Sounds like you need new shocks versus leafs. Good shocks will help dampen those rough bumps.

However, if you decide on getting new leafs...you would most likely want to get a whole new pack. The add-a-leaf will generally make it rougher.

Don't get new leaves man until you take a look at the condition of your rear shackle bushings. I bet you $10 they are shot. Stand facing the rear of the vehicle as if you were looking down the axle lengthwise. Rock the truck back and forth and look down, you'll probably see the shackles twisting if the bushings are bad. I pulled mine to add rear extended shackles and the material was 75% gone!

Get some polyurethane ones instead. I would think your shocks are ok unless you are bottoming out or you can bounce the truck by jumping on the back of it and make it bounce a few times.

I installed DOR's rear leaf upgrades and they made a great difference, but bushings are much more important. If they are so far gone, you will even get a clicking noise on sharp turns since the shackle will slide laterally in the frame mount.

If you are up for a real test, remove your rear axle u bolts and jack the truck up by the rear bumper so the axle is completely disconnected. Grab a leaf pack and twist & shake it, if the bushings are bad you can rock the leaf pack laterally and it actuallly rotates a bit around the frame rails about 10-20 degrees -- this is very bad.. when the bushings go bad, they allow for lateral movement of the shackle and allow the shackle to twist as well.

AMEN TO THAT!!
My factory bushings were shot. they had worn through on 2 places and the shackle was wearing thru the bolt. Only a matter of time before they would have been a safety concern. Took em off, replaced them, (with polyurethane ones from INDY4X, and added shackles while i was at it) and the knock from going around corners was gone.
-J <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

http://independent4x.com/item.jhtml...Ds=839915%7C1100654&PRID=1309708

The shocks are new so I guess I'll start with the bushings. I have heard a funny sound from the rear going around a turn. I'm glad I didn't try the add-a-leafs. Thanks for the replies.

Go to the junk yard and pick up a set of Rodeo springs from a late model '96 or '97 Rodeo. I got my pair for $75 and they looked brand new with new bushing. Raised the rear a couple of inches on my '94 Amigo, but it looks good and quit eating front tires. Best $75 dollars I spent on the automobile.

I used an oversized bolt (3/4") in my setup, so I got the el-cheapo rubber ones to try first. They aren't quite as harsh either, just s little bit of cushion is better than none. When they wear out I'll go with the poly bushings.

The rear bushings are very prone to wear, the fronts are almost never worn at all. Mine on the rear were eating through the stock bolts as well.

Joe