NEED Rear Leaf Spring Mounts for 96 Explorer

[mccoyxx]

Hey guys ... where would I get new rear leaf spring mounts for a 96 explorer ? its a 4wd with a 4.0 in it ... when I got it the people that had it previously had just made some steel brackets and ran the bolts through and it doesn't handle like it should and it rattles on rough roads and I know this can't be good ... what are they technically called ? "rear leaf spring mounting brackets" ? and how much are they and can I replace them myself ? .... thanks for any input and have a Happy Thanksgiving ... RSM

 

[corkey]

which ones ? the ones on the front or the back of the rear leaf spring?
the back ones are called shackles,, the front ones are welded to the frame and hard to change,,

 

[mccoyxx]

Its the ones at the back ... I found some on ebay for $64.90 with free shipping for both sides ... but these look like the ones that weld in ... I will double check ... thanks for the info though ...will look up some shackles ... RSM

 

[Diemondrio63]

I purchased new shackles from the Ford dealership last year for my 95 and paid less than 50 for the pair! Just in case you want to go that route.

 

[mccoyxx]

Ahhhhh gracias !! if they are that cheap at the dealer that is probably what I will do ... are they hard to replace ? .. I haven't really looked at it good to be honest ... do they bolt on or weld in ? ... also do the new ones come with new rubber bushings or do I have to buy those seperately ? ... thanks and have a great Thanksgiving ... RSM

 

[corkey]

the rubber bushings stay in the spring eyes,, so they shouldn't be an issue,
the shackles are an easy change,, jack up the Ex by the frame, allowing the springs to sag, and just until the tires are about 1/2 inch off the ground, than start by taking off the bolt that connect thru the bottom of the shackle and the spring at the back end,,
once the bolt is out, do the same with the top bolt,, and remove the old shackle,, place the new one in there, put the bolts back in, and there all done,,
let it off the jackstands, and it should be all good,

 

[mccoyxx]

I got a set from Ebay $64.90 ... they weren't the weld in kind ... it was the correct set. I did remove the old ones yesterday and couldn't get the new ones in ... I needed approx. 1 1/2 - 2 more inches on the leaf spring to go down in order to mount the new ones. I am very unfamiliar with these and didn't want to do anything that would damage it. I read posts however and have found that placing a bottle jack between the spring and frame should do the trick ... probably go out today and finish it .... can't wait !! no more rattles when I hit bumps !! ... hope you all had a meryy Christmas !!