Leaf Springs

[jamccor]

Hi All
I have a 1993 Ford Explorer I bought used a few years back.I brought it to a local mechanic to look at my brakes. While he was under the car he said that he saw my leaf springs and that they are about to completely rust off. I dont know much about leaf springs. I dont mean to sound stupid, but how serious is something like that? I dont believe he has any reason to lie to me except for my money maybe. Can someone tell me how to check to see for myself?
I sure would appreciate it!
GOD Bless
John

 

[section525]

He probably means your shackles. Look in the rear of the Explorer where the leaf springs and the frame come together. There is a short bracket that links the springs to the frame. I've seen some pretty rusted shackles in pictures on this site. Good thing is they're cheap. Probably free if you ask the right people on this site.

 

[Four0Sport]

he probably meant the leaf spring shackle is rusting, which is common on these vehicles. the shackle can be located by following the leaf spring back towards the rear bumper, they are connected to the frame by the shackle. you can look on here for used factory replacements and aftermarket solutions by using the search button or checking out the parts for sale section. hope this helps.

- Jack

 

[section525]

Yes, I won!

 

[Four0Sport]

posted at the same time! hey section.. while youre viewing this, you still making those beefy shackles so many members have on their trucks?

 

[Four0Sport]

you beat me again.. man youre quick

 

[jamccor]

Wow,quick responses!!
Now here is another question..if my shackles do rust through,how will I know? Can that be fatal if it happens when I am driving?
Thanks again!

 

[Four0Sport]

that can do some damage while driving.. it could allow the rear end to shift position, butmainly will rub agaisnt the frame or tub of the truck. you will know bc you should be under your truck right now looking at the shackles.. it is obvious when they are rusted. now go outside and look! lol

 

[jamccor]

I am going to take a look in a few,I appreciate your responses.

 

[Dannyboy]

here ya go, picture are worth 1000 words

look for something like this at the back part of your frame.

 

[DeRocha]

Its scary when you get under your truck and see this:

 

[little x]

If it rusted through and broke while you were driving it would most likely cause you to wreck, possibly roll, depending on how fast you were going.

 

[SwaintaN]

when mine rusted out and i was sitting frame to leaf spring, it squeaked like a semi suspension... but yes replace them, also most of us if im right... used warrior shackles.. get ur self a lil height with those.

 

[jamccor]

Thanks for everyones post.It has helped me out a lot. My shackles dont look to bad, at least not as bad as I thought, but maybe it would be wise to change them anyway.

 

[DeRocha]

Thanks for everyones post.It has helped me out a lot. My shackles dont look to bad, at least not as bad as I thought, but maybe it would be wise to change them anyway.

The shackles below actually looked solid before I started picking the rust flakes off with a screwdriver.. When I was done picking off the rust flakes there wasn't a hell of a lot left.

 

[SwaintaN]

i agree with derocha, i have a 93 xlt, when pepboys did the break job for me their said same thing.. so i climbed under, found one was already broke and the other looked ok, till i actually touched it
looked decent

now when i got it off of there, different story fell apart as i was taking it off

so yeah i would take em off... replace em, like they said, you can find cheap factory on the sale forum or just buy some warrior shackles, auto zone has the adjustable for 14.99 (if you trust that 14.99 will hold up, lol) either way good luck!

 

[mikeinri]

Hopefully this isn't a stupid question...

Are the shackles just at the rear of the springs? What holds the fronts in place?

Also, on my 94, I noticed that the rear end is really sagging when loaded up with firewood, much more so than I recall in the past. Does that mean my springs are shot?

Mike

 

[SwaintaN]

no there are ways to fix it.. adding warrior shackles instead of stock, even/or aal. can cure some of the sag... they are older suvs, gotta expect some... can even replace shocks with better shocks and it can help some time.. i did ws and nitrogen shocks and it pushed it back up

 

[DeRocha]

Hopefully this isn't a stupid question...

Are the shackles just at the rear of the springs? What holds the fronts in place?

Also, on my 94, I noticed that the rear end is really sagging when loaded up with firewood, much more so than I recall in the past. Does that mean my springs are shot?

Mike

Shackles are just at the rear and can flex under leaf springs load. The front of the leaf springs are connected to a stationary frame mount. Over time the leaf springs will get old and have less and less spring which allows the rear to sag and sit lower.

 

[jamccor]

Well I double checked my shackles today and after peeling through the rust, I see that one of them is in bad shape. Can somebody point me to a place that sells them? Also, what is the going rate on a decent set of shackles? Lastly, who would I goto to get them installed.
Thanks and GOD Bless
John