spring shackle studs installing
 

How do you install these shackle studs ,that we are getting from suppliers these days, without destroying them,I cleaned and polised the spring and perch eyesI put the studs in the freezer for two weeks,heated the spring and perch eyes,used asocket the proper size and , crushed two of them , when I tried to drive them in. THANK YOU SUNSHINE

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

I installed a new set on the front of my 32 recently. It was just a few months and the rubber had moved and let the spring drag on the axle. I bough some street rod type shackles but used oil lite bushings. No problems. I have always used them in the modified cars.

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

Check with Fred at South Side Obsolete in Faribualt MN. He likely has NOS or NORS, made in the USA. You will find him online. Then search the Fordbarn for the correct way to install them. KR Wilson made a tool for removing & installing them, and the Fordbarners will give you the lowdown on it.

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

Unless you are absolutely concerned with the correct spring shackles for restoration purposes and have access to correct tools you should avoid using stock OE design shackles for a driver vehicle. Stock shackles require the bushings to be pressed into position, that doesn't mean hammered in, so unless you have access to a 30 ton H press the simplest method is to replace your old worn out spring bushings is to use the newer Hot Rod style urethane bushings. These can be easily installed by hand and eliminate the frustration of the OE press fit. 95% of the people looking at your car wont know the difference anyway.

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

I gave up years ago with trying to install the steel-clad shackle pins. Fitting them is difficult and longevity is questionable. I have been using what Ford recommended decades ago - use rubber bushings (note the pictures below). Ford supplied a rubber replacement service kit just for this purpose. I have install a set in my '35 more than 20 years ago and have had no problems. Urethane bushings are also a good choice and are readily available.

Tom

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

I chucked them in a drill press and took a file to them, made them a little smaller

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

The original style studs I installed were pressed in using a 8" vice. I made a cone shaped driver so it only pressed on the sleeve OD. I still like the bronze bushing best

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

As others have pointed out, correct shackle pins are meant to be pressed in. They were designed to be .003" to .004 oversize. That interference fit is there for a reason. Enlarging the hole or reducing the diameter of the pin is counter productive.
It begs the question "Why replace a worn pin with a worn pin"?
Nope, the proper way is with a press.

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

I have found that for me, .001-.002 oversize is about as much as I can make work in the fixed eye end... The spring end is a bit more forgiving... So, I size the new bushing in my drill press with emery cloth for that fit. I find a washer or two that will go over the stud, held in place by the nut, to contact the outer sleeve of the bushing, then I can use a ruined 9/16" impact socket as a driver to install...
Karl

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

Working on springs and shackles is a great way to expand your colorful language skills!

Re: spring shackle studs installing
 

sunshine,
I have done quite a few shackles over the years.. so here's my 2 cents worth...

I agree with Kube, pressing in good nos or nors quality shackles is the best. I have one of the KRW shackle kits which admittedly does make the job much easier. There is someone making a install sleeve tool out there, I think it runs about $20. It's meant for a drive in but you are much better pressing them in. I would try to get one if yo ucan find one. I've seen them on ebay.

I check the diameter of the hole, make sure it's clean and smooth, and the diameter of the shackle going in for a good press fit/ I make sure they are smooth and clean.. sometimes a quick slight smoothdown with the belt sander to make sure there's no nicks to give you trouble. And a very thin coat of very light lube will make them go in easier yet stay tight.

The repros you buy now are mush softer than the originals. Southside obsolete, Don Baxter out of Lawrence, KS will probably have some. I have put in several sets of the urethane bushings on some cars of the local guys. They seem to do OK.... FYI... I recently was swapping out a spring and shackles on a nice '36 Roadster, and while taking off the spring I noticed the eye on one side was almost split in two laterally across the leaf. I little more and it would have been a terrible accident. Inspect all parts very closely for metal fatique, wear, and fit.

Good luck!!
Larry S.