Did I put my rear leaf shackles in backwards?

[BRONCOBERT]

I don't have a lot of miles on my Bronco but it seams fine so far, I think. Hopefully the weather will be good this week and I can get it out of the garage and get it fully articulating to see if it binds or limits the travel. Hopefully some one can weigh in with more experience.

 

[savage]

rear shackels

Here is my rear shackles and springs.

 

[BronCowie]

Hmm, so I'm not sure if we've reached a conclusion here...

Mine are like pic #1 Ben; been driving it like that for 20 years but was told on this site a while back that they were backwards when I posted a pic of that area for another reason. If they were re-installed backwards in the past, it was before my ownership. Good luck finding a solid answer.

Check this out>>>

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193373

-Mark

 

[savage]

I did notice when working on my 74 the standers for manufacturing back then seem to be not as strick,as to days standers!!!!!Ive notice that holes for hangers on one side are off on the other.so I can see two bronco coming out of the factory my be different on sure ton things.So I assume theirs other broncos out their with their mounts the same way.

 

[DirtDonk]

Fireball, your shackles are on backwards. Open side faces rearward.
Yes, ours are different and mount in what would be considered backwards compared to stock.

Not everyone experiences the issue, but in many cases the stock ones will bind up in one direction or another when mounted backwards. Happens all the time.
You can easily test it by pulling the assembly apart and bolting just the shackle in so you can move it back and forth throughout it's travel. My bet is that it won't go fully in one direction.

Although it would theoretically work in either direction, and having the open end forward seems intuitively correct, the way they're formed gives them some additional material in the pivot area that "can" interfere with the shackle hanger on the frame.

It does interfere on mine.

Paul

 

[Fireball05]

Did a little more thinking and looking at this tonight, and I think I'll leave them as they are.

Two reasons: if I flip them around, there is a chance that the second leaf will touch the closed end of the shackle under compression. It's pretty close, and having them mounted this way provides some additional clearance.

They didn't seem to be binding at all in the as-installed configuration. I needed to jack up the rear to install the shocks, so it seems like they were articulating just fine, and unless I somehow rip a shock off, the springs aren't going any lower than they were when assembling.

And, two more other small reasons...If it's good enough for Broncowie, it's good enough for me! And lastly, I really don't want to tear it all back apart again

 

[BronCowie]

...And, two more other small reasons...If it's good enough for Broncowie, it's good enough for me! And lastly, I really don't want to tear it all back apart again

Dude... you're killin me ;D Drive on Brother!

 

[BRONCOBERT]

I am hopping that it is somehow better installed backwards for a lift kit and the Bronco shop that installed mine knows what they were doing and did it that way for a reason.
If not I will have to take it apart, which I don't want to do unless it is necessary for proper function.

 

[Fireball05]

Mark, 20 years of daily driving can't be wrong, can it?!

Bert, the reason I am leaving mine as is, is because that I verified that the shackle can move forward and backwards in the hanger without getting hung up. As Paul mentioned above, sounds like some folks aren't as lucky. If you can verify you don't have any binding issues, I wouldn't think you have any problems.

 

[englewoodcowboy]

It's time to once and for all put this issue to rest. Here are the illustrations from the Ford Service/Assembly Manual that I aquired from Dennis Carpenters two years ago....

As you can see the opening is towards the front. Now to think they could have made a mistake at the factory with their checks and balances is slim but plausable however what is more likely is the fact that these are 40 years old, thats a lot of years and the potential of a lot of mechanics touching things and assembling them wrong is much more favorable... In my geekiest mythbusters voice ever! HA!

 

[englewoodcowboy]

If so, this won't be my first bone-headed move!

Correct installation according to the Factory Assembly and service books I have..... Logic wiins again!

 

[englewoodcowboy]

Fireball, your shackles are on backwards. Open side faces rearward.
Yes, ours are different and mount in what would be considered backwards compared to stock.

Not everyone experiences the issue, but in many cases the stock ones will bind up in one direction or another when mounted backwards. Happens all the time.
You can easily test it by pulling the assembly apart and bolting just the shackle in so you can move it back and forth throughout it's travel. My bet is that it won't go fully in one direction.

Although it would theoretically work in either direction, and having the open end forward seems intuitively correct, the way they're formed gives them some additional material in the pivot area that "can" interfere with the shackle hanger on the frame.

It does interfere on mine.

Paul

I hate to do it to you Paul but he has them correct according to the assembly manual from Ford. I posted some pics of the manual up somewhere to show how they are supposed to be installed... not that it matters much I guess but for what its worth I just remembered I had bought the manuals two years ago and while looking for something else I found where I stashed them. My manuals are for all 1973 Ford Trucks, Broncos and Econoline if you should have a question you want some reference on.

 

[DonaldDouchebag]

yes. See factory picture below.

Also, don't forget to install the factory shag carpeting on the spring hanger as in AZ73's photo.

 

[KyleQ]

 

[Squid]

I even searched and found this head before I bolted everything up but didn't click he link to the Super Shackle which is what I have. I installed them with the open end facing to there're which now appears to be backwards. Is this going to cause some sort of binding or can I get away with it?

Squid

 

[DirtDonk]

A good question. I think the Super Shackles are more forgiving than the stock ones, but may still have an issue.
If I remember (which I may not!), the stock shackles will often (but not always) bind up on the frame hanger when installed backwards. And the Supers bind (sometimes) up with the leaf spring on the reinforcing rib when backwards.

I'll check for you in the morning though, and let you know.

Paul

 

[Squid]

Thanks Paul. I don't think that we will be flexing these springs enough to bind them but since I am having a problem lining the bolt holes up I might go and knock them out and start over. I hate the thought of that since it took me a couple of hours banging on them with a rubber mallet to get them as far as they are now.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yeah I'm having a hard time visualizing your bolt-dilemma completely.
Is it possible that with both springs bolted to the axle, one is putting some english on the other? Thus angling the eyes in such a way that the bolt won't go through?

Have you pulled a bolt and tried a long drift-pin or something smaller in diameter to twist things around to align the holes?
Are both bolts in question in the rear at the shackles? Or is the main front spring eye giving you trouble too?

Any pics might be helpful too. You might not think so, with something so basic, but you never know.

Paul

 

[asinor]

Squid, if the axle is bolted to the springs, unbolt it or loosen them up, then attach the springs to the frame, then line spring pin/bolt up with the axle tube and bolt them up.

You might need to use a come along or something. I used ratcheting tie downs to pull the springs in place then lined it up with a drift pin.

If you have to much trouble getting the springs to line up while disconnected, something might be tweaked from a hard hit or over tightening.

Use all of that grease, be sure to put some on the faces of the bushings that meet the hangers too.

 

[Squid]

Getting ready to head out here now. Nothing like wrestling springs after work. It is not off by much so not a tweak of he spring issue as much as getting it that last fraction of an inch. Bolts are in on passenger rear and drivers front so I will get it. Not sure what a drift punch is, but someone mentioned grinding down a bolt so that I get passed the threads and can align everything.

Thanks or all of he advice, if I can't get it I will take some pictures and post up.

Squid