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Rear Shackle Replacement


bruker

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I'm trying to replace the rear shackles and the nut on the top bolt just spins. Without taking off the bed how in the heck can I keep that nut from spinning?
 


Mark_88

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I did mine about a year ago and I used a cut off wheel for some...cut the outer head off but you may need to jack up the frame a bit...is the mount OK or does that need to be replaced also?
 
97RangerXLT

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Meh... take off the bed. 20 minute job tops, two people to lift it off. My 97's bed came off without any issues 4.5 years ago. I went ahead and replaced all of the spring hangers and shackles. one was rusted through.

another thing you might try if you are still not wanting to remove the bed, jam a large screwdriver/ chisel/ prybar against the nut and the spring hanger then try. The biggest issue I had was that the bolts were fused to the rubber eye in the springs, so if that is the case for you, have fun, and I definitely would recommend removing the bed...

AJ
 
pjtoledo

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try a stubby wrench, 'bout 4" long from the top.
depending on your wrench options, how meaty they are, I was able to slide the open end up thru the gap between the frame and the hanger bracket. then slowly rotate bolt until wrench slips over nut.

also, if you already have another nut with the steel stop arm attached you can grind the crimps to release the steel, then put in on the bad nut.
 

bruker

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The mount looks OK.

I'll try to get a stubby wrench up there.
 

bruker

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Was able to get a stubby wrench up there and got the nut off. It didn't really help as (mentioned above) the bolt was fused/rusted to the metal sleeve in the bushing. Out came the cutoff wheel and soon the bolt and what was left of the shackle was out. Where's a good source for stock type bushings?
 
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Mark_88

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Good to hear you got it off...

The bushings are another story altogether...you may be better off buying a bushing kit for that year (2003) but it could be different than my 1996...

contact Summit about their availability for these parts...Energy Suspension was the kit I bought for my truck and it included all 6 bushings...even though I only needed one...

https://www.summitracing.com/int/search/product-line/energy-suspension-leaf-spring-bushing-sets/make/ford/model/ranger/leaf-spring-position/rear
 
pjtoledo

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where in western Ohio are you?

napa, and others, sell the hanger bracket and the shackle. they are sold separately.
 
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