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Can't get shackles/leaf springs removed - HELP!!

jmpric

jmpric

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I'm trying to replace my leaf springs and shackles on my '68 Coronet. Seems easy enough on paper. I was able to remove the 4 bolts on the front bracket, and the 2 nuts on the shackle. Problem is I can't get the bushing off of the top bolt of the shackle, in order to slide it out of the frame rail. I figured I'd at least slide the leaf spring off of the shackle by pushing it inward, but my jack stand is in the way. I've got new shackles so I need to get this one out. Any sage advice?
 

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A big pry bar strategically placed between the shackle and frame will allow you to work it out. Some lubrication sprayed in on the bushings will help too
 
Yeah, I kinda tried the pry method but I'll give it another go.
 
Lots of lube,and a huge pry bar . Also worse case try some heat , some of them just don't play nice my 5 ft long pry bar makes easy work out of this job ,if you don't have a huge one put some pipe on your short one (make a cheater) good luck
 
Sometimes getting the weight of the rear end off the shackles will help. Kind of a happy medium when you jack it up. Jacking it up too high is just as bad as the weight hanging on them....
 
Thanks all. I don't know why I didn't use lube. I've been using it liberally on all of the bolts so far. I'll do that tmrw, along with an actual prybar, instead of the makeshift ones I've been using. And Cranky, I thought about the tension aspect, and the leaf does have a jack under it for support. It seems to have the right amount of lift to relieve the tension at the shackle.
 
jmpric said:
Thanks all. It seems to have the right amount of lift to relieve the tension at the shackle.
Click to expand...

Just cause it seems right doesn't mean it does/is/whatever. You'd be surprised what a + or - one pump or 2 on a jack can do to change things to where they will almost fall apart on their own. Good Luck
 
careful with the pry bar when the car is up on stands, pry from outside the car.
 
Cranky said:
Sometimes getting the weight of the rear end off the shackles will help. Kind of a happy medium when you jack it up. Jacking it up too high is just as bad as the weight hanging on them....
Click to expand...

Ya, get the bottle jack or scissors jack under the spring & give it a little lift, just so the dead weight of the spring is off the rubber bushing, then pry & hope whatever lube you used helps. Good luck
 
I feel for you jmpric....I'm 6'5" and have been told that I am stronger then your average bear but both times I removed my leafs etc. it took a lot of lube, prying, cussing and jack finesse. Good luck :headbang:
 
Last edited:
aldal said:
I feel or you jmpric....I'm 6'5" and have been told that I am stronger then your average bear but both times I removed my leafs etc. it took a lot of lube, prying, cussing and jack finesse. Good luck :headbang:
Click to expand...

Hey, I'm 6'5" too. It was a bear, but I was able to remove the top bolt and get the shackle and leaf off the car. The only problem is the bushings in that top shackle hole refuse to come out. It's like they're fused together. They will rotate and even move back a forth a little, but not come apart. And here I thought a leaf spring change was a quick process. I'm finding nothing is quick on these old cars.
 
just cut the shackle bolt with a reciprocating saw. Then it will slide out with some lube. If that fails then cut the other side and pound it through from the outside. If it gets too long cut it again and keep going. You need to replace that shackle anyway.
 
That bolt through the spring on the drivers side looks bent. Like the others said, cut 'em, heat 'em, lube 'em, and pound them out.
 
I ended up burning my bushings just enough to make the rubber soft and spongy. Wouldn't recommend that typically.
 
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