leaf spring shackles

[r.traskos]

i have a 93 ford explorer 4x4 i have to replace the rear leaf spring shackles on both sides and was woundering what would be the easiest way to do them

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Support it by the frame. put a floor jack under the center of the diff. Unbolt the shackles and remove them. Install new and away you go.

 

[Lucifer sam]

one tip, i coat the chassis bolts in anti seize before i put it back together, it makes things a lot easyier next you take it apart.

 

[wizkid00104]

one tip, i coat the chassis bolts in anti seize before i put it back together, it makes things a lot easyier next you take it apart.

+1

I use lock washers too. If you don't torque a anti-seized bolt correctly, it can come loose. But anti-seize is great stuff!

 

[r.traskos]

ok thanks

 

[r.traskos]

ok so i ran into a new problem the bolts on the driver side shackles are seized up inside the bushings and i cant get them out the shackles are so rotted n rusted it ended up breaking on me and i cant get the bolts out the passanger side went easy but driverside is really fighting me and ideas or suggestions would really help me out because i dont know what to do now

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Angle grinder, a torch, and a BFH.

That's how I always do replacement leaf spring/shackle work anymore.

 

[r.traskos]

ok thanks i got everything but a tourch the one thing i need the most

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

If a bolt is really stuck, I'll just get new bushings and burn out the old bushing with a propane plumbers torch (or my cutting torch, whichever is handy). I'll get it burning from both ends good then every so often poke the metal sleeve with a screwdriver or whatnot. Soon as it gets loosened up enough, I'll shove it through then let the bushing burn a bit till I can dig that out with a screwdriver too. New bushing slides right in. And I lube the heck out of the new bushing, sleeve and bolt.