Shackles

fordlovr

fordlovr

Senior Member
Whats the story on replacing shackles? I can get the press in type, 1,do you have to have a special tool for this? 2, Can It be installed with diff still in car? 3 Is there another type that is easier for the ''Shade Tree Mechanic'' to install? Any advice/comments gratefully accepted! P.S. 1938 Ford.
 
The KRW tool is a huge help in installing the shackle pins especially in the housings. Installing into the spring since it can give a little is much easier. If you aren't going on the concourse, use the modern ones you can install with your fingers. That is what I am doing. I have the KRW tool but only used it on my 40 wagon which I have had on the V8 Club concourse. My other 40s don't use the original pins. Just my 2 cents.
 
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You'll have to remove the spring to get the old originals out (if that's what you have). They are almost friction welded in. With a hack saw blade make a couple cuts the knock it out with a drift. But maybe you'll get lucky. edit: you can do it in the car but you'll need a spreader to put the spring back in, so take it out and you can do it easier in my opinion, plus you can clean the spring up.


*** tool: spring spreader


I'd go the route of poly/nylon bushings.
 
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My experience with the modern plastic type bushing is that they groan and squeak. Maybe I got the wrong material but I even took them out and greased them and they were squeaking again in a short time. I replaced them with the oil impregnated bronze bushings and they are quiet. I think the correct term for them is "flange sleeve bearing". I got mine at Motion Industries.
https://www.motionindustries.com/productDetail.jsp?sku=00010103
 
I've never had a poly bushing "squeak", wonder what material the ones you were have problems with were made of?
 
White lithium works well on poly bushings. Probably wont last as long but are easy to replace.
 
It can be done on the car ,as said the spring one is relatively easy, on the axle drive it out with a socket if it doesn't move drive the bolt out and rubber then cut the wall of the shackle , hone the hole rust using 60 grit wrapped around a shaft in a drill ,grease it drive it in ,
 
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The street rod poly bushed type are easier to work with, the original type (being repro, unless you can find nos or nors) are a nightmare.

That said, I did notice Rockauto list those rubber bushed replacement type. If I were doing the job again I'd probably give those a go.

Mart.
 
JSeery said:
I've never had a poly bushing "squeak", wonder what material the ones you were have problems with were made of?
Click to expand...

I don't know, I just know they look like black plastic. One set came in the kit to convert to tube shocks in the front. The rear set I just bought to replace worn originals.

The only time I heard it was going slow or getting in/out of the car. It was more of a "creak" than a squeak.
 
I use the poly bushings. Easy to install and hold up well. I use the grease that you can get from Energy Suspension on them. Never had any of them squeak or make any type of noise.
 
JSeery said:
I've never had a poly bushing "squeak", wonder what material the ones you were have problems with were made of?
Click to expand...

There are several brands of plastic type bushings available.
The ones that are most prone to squeak are urethane.
 
JSeery said:
I've never had a poly bushing "squeak", wonder what material the ones you were have problems with were made of?
Click to expand...
I installed Nylon 6/6 moly impregnated bushings in my '41 in 1995. still showing no signs of wear and silent
 
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