Spring shackle replacement

[DadsForty]

Not a lot of rubber left in mine but a lot of wear! Was glad I decided to tackle replacing these. Lots of colorful language needed but with help from the forum here I was able to do it and not break anything (me included).
First time trying to load pictures so forgive me if I was not successful.
Cheers.
Rob

 

[Ken Arms]

I used a friends factory spreader, not a krw but of the same vintage, I rapped a chain around the axle and spring for safety. Forget about original shackels in my opinion, Pete and Jakes poly set up is sweet and if they wear out they come out!

 

[gmc1941]

I use a PortApower and the pressure on the PortApower was very great and upon releasing it, the spring flew pass my head nicking my ear. Scared the s**t out of me. Went in the house and had two beers and let it set to following day. DA

 

[billvt]

Spring spreaders do not work when you have reversed spring eyes! I reversed them 50 years ago before I even knew spring spreaders existed.

 

[Kube]

Spring spreaders do not work when you have reversed spring eyes! I reversed them 50 years ago before I even knew spring spreaders existed.

Oh yes they do! Little trick and they work well and safely.

 

[Bubsyouruncle]

It's a dim, distant, memory now, and I guess I should be happy that I am here to relay it. I replaced the shackles on my deuce in 1960 or so by removing the nut from the center of the springs and jacking the car up and letting the spring come apart still held together by the crossmember and the clips. Then reversed the process to reinstall them. At least I think that is what I did. I didn't have a spring spreader, that's for sure. Spreading just the main leaf was no big deal.

I also remember flipping the front main leaf to see how it would fit. It didn't, and I was too poor to take it to a shop for real reversal. Very happy about that now.

Maybe I put c-clamps on the springs part way out from the ends.



The good lord protects the stupid, I guess.

 

[russcc]

If you research Kubes previous posts you will find the correct way to replace original steel bushing type shackle. If you don't have the KR Wilson tool for doing it, you can make up the press pieces and get a "loaner" ball joint press from Auto Zone or Advance Auto that will do the job. I have the dimension for the press parts if someone wants to turn them out on a lathe.