shackle bolts seized

[speedster101]

hey guys i recently went to replace the shackles on my 91 explorer and relized the bolt on the passenger side holding the shackle to the leaf spring is completely siezed. i cut of the nut off and have tried using a punch and sledge hammer. i have soaked the bolts with pb blaster and have heated for about ten minutes with a propane torch then let it cool. then beat on it some more.

i did find another thread about this. i guess im just not sure what to do next. and also will i nead new bushings? i would like to salvage them if i could.

 

[IZwack]

Maybe a ball joint press or even a 2-jaw puller..

(ball joint press)

 

[d.bright]

It's funny that you're going thru the same thing I just went thru on my 92 a few days ago. Here's what I did to get the bolt un-seized.

1. I used a cut off tool and 3" metal cut off disc to cut off the shackle on the side of the bolt with the nut (outer side), so that I could easily see the bushing and metal sleeve that it sits in.

2. I used an air-hammer with a wedge attachment and I put it right into the edge of the split part of the metal sleeve and then proceeded to spread it out about 5mm.

3. I then used a hammer and banged the bolt out with a drift.

Of course, I had been trying for an entire day before I had this idea, and it worked.

Hope it helps, I wish I took pictures, sorry bout that.

 

[DeRocha]

Maybe a ball joint press or even a 2-jaw puller..

(ball joint press)

I used the exact press to remove mine.. You can pickup the press at most autoparts store as a free rental.

 

[EMG7895]

be carefull not to hammer the end of the bolt too much, it will mushroom and get stuck even worse.

 

[nhill]

I had the same issue. I just soaked it with PB like you stated you did, and did a lot of twisting. I put torque against the inside of the bolt head, and twisted until she finally came out. That was the passenger side, the driver side came right out, go figure. GOOD LUCK!

 

[fsumotorhead]

have you tried to spin it out with an impact?

Sometime i have to cut the nut off, but an impact will usually spin the bolt out of the sleeve.

 

[CHRISXPLOR]

shrooms!

 

[speedster101]

thanks guys ill try to pick a ball joint press. i have also tried twisting the head but i seem to just keep striping it. as far as air hammers go i don't have on or a compressor that can handle one.

 

[Flip4ford]

After several hours - I gave up and set my bushing on fire with a torch... then everything finally came out... new bushings, new bolts and a little clean up--- and poof back on the road.

 

[speedster101]

thanks guys ive finally got all the bushings out that i nead.

im just stuck now because the new bushings i bought are the energy suspension bushings and they require i remove the metal sleeve in the spring eye.

do u guys have any suggestions on how to remove it? ive hit it a couple of times with a hammer and i plan on heating it on friday.. i was just wander if i have to just bite the bullet and rent a air hammer or is there a way around it?

 

[91ROKKRAWLER]

i did exactly what flip did on mine. i got pissed after impact gun, hammer, sledge hammer and other things didn't get it out so i set fire to it and knocked it out. i have a few other sets of ex springs so i had no problem gettin it back together.

 

[Anime]

To free up my seized shackle bolts, I just removed the top part from the frame (with the truck supported by a jack and jackstands, of course), then put the top shackle bolt back into the shackle, but underneath the frame, then removed the jackstands and let the frame drop onto the shackle and POP! it busted the bolt loose. A few thousand pounds of torque will do that.

To remove the metal sleeve, it's easiest to just use a plain ol' hacksaw. Disconnect the blade from one end of the saw frame, put the blade through the sleeve, and reconnect the blade. Saw away, but be careful when you get to the end so you don't nick the interior of the spring. After it's cut, you can use a screwdriver, chisel, or pry bar to pry it away from the spring, and pliers or vice grips to twist it once you have it coming off.

Now, the FRONT spring bushings, that's where you'll need a cut-off wheel, there's nothing to do but cut the bolts on either side, drop the spring, and press out the whole assembly for the new bushings.

Replacing everything with Energy Suspension bushings and the resulting handling improvement was worth it, though.

 

[jij0226]

I'm so glad I wasn't the only one with the seized shackle bolts problem. I soaked those guys with pb blaster, gave em heat, and hammered for like four hours today. I only got one of em out. I decided to take my spare off, but the winch was broke, so I cut off the holder with a grinder. I'm done for today. Tomorrow I'll go with the impact wrench.