Shackles?

[MD11007]

I just bought the 153 shackles and it says on the instructions that its harder to install them with factory bushings? Does anyone have any tips on installing shackles.

 

[jimbo74]

mine were easy... just used the bottle jack, a hammer, a jackstand and a floor jack with a ratchet and a wrench and a hammer and a can of wd-40

 

[MattPersman]

on mine it was a major PITA to get the stock bolts out of the top of the shackles and from the leaf spring eyelet itself. I had to cut the front and back of the bolt off, and then air hammer them out. on one I had to drill a hole in the bolt and then air hammer it so it gave up some tension. I sat for about 2 hours of air hammering and it would not move with out drilling the bolt some.

it was a ******* of a project, its done and its great but it was alot more time than anticipated.

 

[DeRocha]

Dead Link Removed
I believe your shackes will be easy since your X is still relatively new and not badly rusted. Skackle replacement ranges from easy to a major PITA (Depending upon bolt removal). If you can remove the shackle bolts then your job is easy (just unbolt the old and install the new over your existing bushings). If the old bolts are rusted in place then things get hard. In my case the shackle bolts were so completely frozen that I ended up having to destroy the bushings just to get them out. It took several hours of work because I kept stopping to think of better ways to do it. In the end I found it is easyiest to drill and burn out the bushings.

I have replace all the bushings in my X, IMO the leaf spring bushings were the hardest PITA ones to do

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

Dead Link Removed
I believe your shackes will be easy since your X is still relatively new and not badly rusted. Skackle replacement ranges from easy to a major PITA (Depending upon bolt removal). If you can remove the shackle bolts then your job is easy (just unbolt the old and install the new over your existing bushings). If the old bolts are rusted in place then things get hard. In my case the shackle bolts were so completely frozen that I ended up having to destroy the bushings just to get them out. It took several hours of work because I kept stopping to think of better ways to do it. In the end I found it is easyiest to drill and burn out the bushings.

I have replace all the bushings in my X, IMO the leaf spring bushings were the hardest PITA ones to do

I know i'm bringing this back from the dead...but ..was doing my shackels, and the bottom of the drivers side came out ok, but then i got to the top and it is just stuck. So next weekend i will proably drill it out and then replace the bushing...my question is, is the top bushing a simple replacemnet or is it like the bushing on the lead spring wher you would have to press it in?(i think).

 

[aeaglenfitch]

mine took like 15 min. to do

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

Damn....my truck has seen 7 up state NY winters...so yeah it has a little bit of rust.

 

[DeRocha]

I know i'm bringing this back from the dead...but ..was doing my shackels, and the bottom of the drivers side came out ok, but then i got to the top and it is just stuck. So next weekend i will proably drill it out and then replace the bushing...my question is, is the top bushing a simple replacemnet or is it like the bushing on the lead spring wher you would have to press it in?(i think).

The bushing does fit in like the Leaf spring eye

but not forgotten! To answer your question yes the upper leaf spring Frame bushings get pressed in/out like the lower spring eye bushings. But because the frame contact area is must less than the spring eyes these bushings tend to press in/out much easier.

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

would it be do able with say a dead blow hammer and some muscle?...or do you need a press or something to get it in?

 

[DeRocha]

would it be do able with say a dead blow hammer and some muscle?...or do you need a press or something to get it in?

The bushings install from the outside of the frame. A hammer may get the bushing out (ie swinging from the spare tire area out), but :scratch: I don't think you will have enough room to swing a hammer to install a new bushing (swinging between the frame and rear fender). The "C" press tool is a free rental from many parts stores.