Any trick to replacing shackle bushings?

[RickB]

I got some new bushings for the shackles at the rear of the leaf springs. What is a good trick for getting these R&R'd?

 

[JPSmit]

Don't recall that it was particularly difficult, though I may have needed to burn out the bushing, mind you I did it while everything was apart.

 

[nomad]

Shackles not so difficult. Front eye more so. Jacks and jack stands required. Don't recall if they will clear the fuel tank. May have to dismount one spring from the axle so you can move it over to remove the shackle.
KA

 

[RickB]

I tried the jack and jackstands thing, I definitely wasn't getting enough slack.

Yeah JP, doing it while everything's apart would be easier. :wink:

 

[JPSmit]

I put my jack stands in front of the springs to support the body (not the axle). To save the body from damage, I used a 2x4 as long as the width of the body so that - if you can picture it, from floor up - jack stands under lower lip of body on either side - 2x4 stretching across width of car in between jack stands and lip of body. I then supported the pumpkin of the rear axle with my jack - undid the shackles (I was able to undo the plate themselves that attache the rear shackles to the body) lowered the whole unit and went to town.

hope you can visualize that?

If it's not working visually, tomorrow I'll be using the same technique to add the spacers to the front of the springs if you want to wait for pictures.

 

[PAUL161]

If I get a bushing and bolt that's frozen in, I use a sawzall and cut the pin on both sides, then put the spring in a hydraulic press and push the pin and bushing out. It's much easier for me to do it that way.