2 Leaf Springs and Shackles [ Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 96 ]

[1997XLTRollover]

Are you sure? They're acting like the springs are so bad.

What did you mean by this?

So you're saying its not safe to drive if my shackles are rotted out, correct? Sorry I'm trying my best to understand ya.

Yes. If they break it could end bad, but the odds are you'll be fine. If the planets align yes you might die but what I'm saying is try to avoid using the truck until it's fixed. If they break you'll hear a bang and the rear of the trunk will sink down a little bit. The axle is not going to fall out of the truck. It may handle like crap but the odds of something drastic happening like you flipping the truck or it cutting a tire are pretty slim.

I busted one on my F-150 and drove the damn thing home with it broken and I'm still here. It punched a hole through the bed of my truck but other than that I just replaced them. The truck and myself are fine to this day, at least as fine as we were before it broke


Hell is your truck a V8? If it's a V8 you have traction bars holding your axle in too and then I wouldn't hardly worry at all. But I would still get them fixed like now.

 

[RangerX]

From what I gather, the shackles are completely rotted out and "only hanging on by a thread".

Please take some close up pics of both rear shackles and post or link them so we can see exactly what you have going on. Your mechanic quote may be completely accurate, or it could be grossly exaggerated, or somewhere in between.

Do you live in a one mechanic town, or do you have options on where to get the work done?

 

[1996BLKBauer]

1st, find another mechanic, he obviously has no idea what he is doing.
2nd, replaced the shackles ASAP, yes they rust out, its a common thing, not hard to do. The whole they are falling off and the rear end will fall off when he lifts it is total BS, I've seen shackles break, and people driving with them... while towing a trailer. anyway, they are not the only things holding the rear end on, but if they break while driving it could be bad, if they break on a lift, so what? your already replacing them.

If you do plan on replacing them yourself take Turdle's advice, do not spin the bolt! I spent about 30 minute with an air hammer taking each bolt out, lol.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

I just cut my bolts in half, ripped the pieces off and replaced the bushings in my leaf springs and frame.