Rotted out shackle

[Jspafford]

I have been noticing a rougher than normal ride lately.

Checked tonight.. Yep... Passengerside shackle is rotted off. The spring it sitting on the bottom of the perch. The airbags are holding it up though.

How much of a PITA are they to get loose?

Should I try it myself or take it somewhere? I work two jobs and need the truck everyday. I don't have the option to make more than a few hours job out of it.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I spent about a few hours on mine. Removing the bed would have made it unbelieveably easier, but that seemed like it would be a whole 'nother project.

Best advice, have a sawsall with a good fresh metal blade, usually the darned bushing rusts itself to the bolt and it will get stuck in there a little ways out and just start spinning, bushing and all. Far easier to just cut it out and replace the bolt, which is usually rusted pretty well anyways. For whatever reason the nuts seemed fine, and I re-used them. Just keep unscrewing untill the nuts come off the end, and then start cutting the bolts out.

The top bushing isn't so bad because the shackle comes with one, but ultimately I ended up pushing out the spring bolt and bushing (as one solid mass) with a 2 jaw puller. The spring bushing kit thingy wasn't too badly priced, but it would have taken 3 days for me to get one, trip to the plumbing section at Menards fixed that.

That was a fun day.... that poor Dremel got a real workout lol.

 

[ozziemo27]

that poor Dremel got a real workout lol.

I bet, I burnt my dad's new dremel's motor out just by basic cut-off work. We have an older black one that i put through twice as much work as the busted new one and it runs strong!

 

[4x4junkie]

I had no luck whatsoever with a Sawzall on those bolts, the bushing sleeves just round all the teeth right off the blades and there was no way to get it in there past it either.
Get a grinder with a thin cut-off disc instead, this will rip right through them no problem.

You'll obviously need new bolts... 9/16" x 4.5" will replace the stock 14mm ones.

 

[Jspafford]

Here is my problem. This is my DD and I only have about a 4 hour window to tear it apart and fix it before I will need the truck to get to one of my two jobs. I am debating if I should just have it done?

I talked to Nelson Frame and they will do it for $300 if I supply the parts. This includes replacing both shackles and the spring hangers in the back.

I just ordered this kit http://stengelbros.3dcartstores.com/338-1950K_p_0-6654.html

One hanger alone from Ford was $250, I get both, the shackles, and bolts for $121 in this kit.

I would love to do this myself, just to say I did, and I still may see if I can get the bolts to break loose friday, but if they won't I will probably be forced to take it in.

thoughts?

 

[brendank]

I think you'd be able to get at least one side done in 4 hrs.

I would have a look at the bolt that goes through the spring bushing. If you can get it to spin without breaking the head off, then you should be able to get it out fairly easy. It doesn't take much more time to grind the rivets off. Reassemble and your good to go.

 

[BlackBII]

I agree with Junkie on this one. Die grinder with a thin disc, cut through those bolts easily.

 

[Jspafford]

I just cancelled my order. I climbed under and got a good look. The mounts themselves look fine. All that is rotted is the shackle. I am just going to stop by Ford and pickup a shackle on the way home. Now I will only have to try and get out 2 (huge and rusty) bolts instead of grinding rivots to replace a perfectly good bracket.

 

[BlackBII]

If the bolts don't come out or break out, I would just cut them.

If your lucky, they will turn out with just a wrench.

Use a good amount of PB.

 

[Jspafford]

I'ma gonna put my new air compressor to use. If that fails, I have a 1/2" ratchet and breaker bar.

I am confident...

Which means it will probably not work..lol

 

[Jspafford]

Welding shop offered to do it for $60. I am going to let them do it.

I am picking up the shackle at ford for $24.