Can't get my stupid rear shackles off!!

[Captain Ledd]

There are companies out there that make grade 8 greaseable bolts. They're usually not cost effective. I just loaded mine up with wheel bearing grease and hoped for the best.

 

[holyford86]

best thing I've found to use is a ballljoint press. Put the nut on the bolt so the end of the bolt is level with the top of the nut and push on it until the nut touches the shackle, spray the bolt head and shaft that got pushed out, and push it back in. Pull the nut off and press it back through again, then remove the puller and see if you can drive the bolt out with a punch or air hammer. I have done this multiple times and every time I have saved the bolt. Even a rotted shackle will still have enough meat around the bolt to hold the sleeve from pushing out of the spring eye bushing.

 

[bilzy7]

Yeah, I assume my clicking over bumps is my ball joints. I don't expect trouble with them as my torsion bar I checked and it's covered in oil and so are both ball joints. I guess at some point oil got spilled everywhere. Right now only my front drive shaft has a small leak which I think I just need a new seal for it as it runs down the drive shaft and soaks it. Since it isn't winter yet and I don't engage the front im not worried about it, but I will have to tear into the front driveshaft and fix leak before winter. Don't wanna engage and destroy it.

 

[bilzy7]

Also after searching for days, i accidentally found the info on 2 piece upper control arm. It's only the or design and it can be replaced with the correct one piece design.

 

[Dweano]

Say I do mess up the leaf spring bushings...how hard is it to find them? Would the local parts store have them or would I have to order them in?

 

[-Nathan-]

Dean, when I burnt my old ones out, I just found some at Winacott truck, on faithful ave. They just helped me find some that matched.

 

[Dweano]

Nice! Thats the same place I got my stronger u-joints at I believe. Hopefully I can push mine out so I don't have to burn em out

 

[bobbywalter]

i usually sawzall through the crack where the bend in the eye terminates and pop em out with my joint press....sometimes warming the eyewrap with the torch really helps press them out quickly...generally a fresh bushing/bolt is 12 bux here.


all of that after the grinder/cutoff wheel frees it from the frame hanger

 

[Dweano]

I don't have a torch. I fricked up my hand trying to unbolt them tonight. I am gone roofing for the next two days. When I get back I am going to take the cutting wheel on my grinder and frick them up. I am going to have to get new bushings and bolts. This battle is going to get ugly Ranger...mark my words. Haha

 

[Dweano]

Old crap out. New stuff all on. Success! Heat is my friend!