shackles

nvrhapy · June 26, 2004

hey guys i just went out there about an hour ago to install my warrior shackles and i jacked up the X to start on the drivers side i got the bolt out where the leaf bolts up to the stock shackle but i cant get the bolt out where the shackle connects to the frame. i have the leaf totally away from the shackle so theres no pressure on it to bind it up but i still can't get it out. the bolt isn't threaded al the way through or anything is it it should just push through with a lil hammering right? its like stuck anybody have any ideas........

nvrhapy · June 26, 2004

anybody????? i'm kinda in a bind here.

Alec · June 26, 2004

The only thing I can tell you is to keep trying.

Try penetrating oil and a long cheater pipe. Good luck!

nvrhapy · June 26, 2004

no the nuts were no problem i got them off i just can't push the bolts through now i got the bottom one out but the one that runs through the frame won't budge i hit it on the end with a hammer but it still won't budge. the bolt has a medal sleeve on it and then it goes through a rubber bushing thats in the frame, i tried turning the bolt but it doesn't even turn?????? i don't know what else to do

Alec · June 26, 2004

If it doesn't turn it's not going to come out. So the first step should be trying to get it to turn. Sounds like the bolt is rusted to the sleeve, you may need to cut it off.

sonik · June 26, 2004

Sometimes you just need a bigger hammer. I spent 30 mins trying to get a wheel hub off with a rubber mallet yesterday and was getting nowhere. A couple whacks with a sledge hammer loosened the rust and it came right off. Spray penetrating oil (pb blaster) everywhere. I don't know what the bolt looks like but you can probably get a replacement at a hardware store if you need to cut it.

nvrhapy · June 26, 2004

so the medal sleeve is suppost to stay in the rubber bushing when the bolt is removed correct.

Alec · June 26, 2004

nvrhapy · June 26, 2004

man guys i been pounded with a sledge, using an imapct, a air chissel, used pb blaster, and i can't get neither side to budge :fire: i'm pissed this should of been an hour project and now its turning into a pain in the ass. i was thinking about cutting the bolts but, if that doesn't work to get them loose then i won't be able to continue hammering them because theres won't be anything to hammer. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :fire:

Alec · June 26, 2004

Why not cut through the bushing in the center? The bushing is probably crap anyway.

DeRocha · June 27, 2004

I've been there and done that.. I ended up cutting off the bolt and pressing out the bushing (driver & pass sides :fire: ) A big PITA. Is there anyway you can put a socket and huge cheater bar on the bolt and get it spinning?

DeRocha · June 27, 2004

My Shackles were in this condition (before cutting anything)

I used a 4.5" cut off wheel to cut away the shackle and bolt head, but removing the bushing was still a PITA. You need to remove the bushing material before trying to press out anything. I used a combination of Drilling, scrapping, and burning (propane torch approach) as recommended by others having the same problem. if you try and press out the bushing without removing the bushing material then you will collapse the frame support like this because the Bushing material is bonded to the outer shell and Metal bolt sleeve.

Burning with the torch is no big deal. The material doesn't burn it kid of smolders. I expected the bushing to burn right up, but I had to burn it for 10 minutes then scrape away 1/4" of material and repeat the process.. Once the bushing material is out of the way/gone then you can press out the bolt sleeve. You must re-use the metal shell so take care and not damage it.

Mbrooks420 · June 27, 2004

Man, that is one scary shackle!!

nvrhapy · June 27, 2004

ok guys i heated up the bushing on the driver side and i finally got the bolt out, of course the bolt still has the sleeve rusted on it, and as for the passenger side i hammered it a few more times and without applying any heat the bolt also came out of the bushing but also has the sleeve still rusted on it, so now what do i do?

Alec · June 27, 2004

Get all new hardware. Probably bushings and sleeves from Ford and grade 8 bolts from the hardware store or Ford.

nvrhapy · June 27, 2004

well i'm putting on some warrior shackles so i have the bolts that came with those, as for the bushings how are they put in and how hard is it? also any prices on these parts?

TunnelFear · June 27, 2004

I wish I had pictures of my shackles when I swapped them out for the warrior's, they were even worse then those

nvrhapy · June 27, 2004

well i completed the long and drawn out shackle swap.

man rust is a biotch!!!!!!!! i was wonder since my X is 2wd in the front i tightened my torsion bars screws all the way is that cool or should i back them off a lil? also is it nessecary to change out your shocks to a different length? i just replaced my shocks about 2 months ago but that was when the truck was at stock height? and last but not least the rear of my X is about an inch lower than my front how can i fix this i really don't want to have to crank down the fro nt end if i don't have to.

boominXplorer · June 27, 2004

the stock lenght shocks are fine to use with any TT. To lift the back more you have to get some 4 door explorer leaf packs. If thats not enough get some Add-a-leafs but you might want to stay away from those because of a rough ride it creates

nvrhapy · June 27, 2004

hey boomin i work at NAPA do you think they would sell these leaf packs, and also what is a good price for them. how much more lift will they give me? thanks!

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