The Ford Barn

jim1932 · 09-28-2013, 04:43 PM

Made HUGE progress today and finally got the spring and shackles out. I used a model A spreader that I flipped the ends on. Problem is it was just long enough to get the worn shackles out, but not long enough to get the new ones in. I ended up getting all the bushings in but one and putting the new shackle in so I can still move the car. I am using pete and Jakes shackles.

Anyway, you can see why replacing the shackles before I drive it was a priority..... They had barely worn through the bushings so there was no damage to the springs. Interesting that only the spring side of each was severely worn.

PeteVS · 09-28-2013, 08:07 PM

Amazing photo. You must be surprised that one of them never let go. Have you considered installing your main leaf only to the rear (piece of cake) and then using the threaded rod / clamp deal to put the rest of the spring together? (I refuse to use 'C' clamps. I prefer the 3/4" Pony pipe clamps.)

jim1932 · 09-28-2013, 08:13 PM

Yes....A to lazy and B couldn't undo the center bolt... which means I would need to grind or cut it off. Never said I was efficient or smart....

PeteVS · 09-29-2013, 05:40 AM

Get a clamp on it and grind off one end or the other. It's a great opportunity to clean up the individual leaves, paint them and lubricate them. (Use Slip Spray available from NAPA.) Chances are that the leaves won't slide one against another due to rust, making the ride terrible.

BILL WZOREK · 09-29-2013, 06:38 AM

Jim1932
When you think about a spring shackle as a radius movement the spring side has to move more with every bounce the frame makes.
<The thought is is my brain I hope it got to my fingures & key board so you understand what I am trying to say.>

Cecil/WV · 09-29-2013, 08:12 AM

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Jim, have you seen the blurb in the RG 36 V8 club newsletter about the club tools that can be borrowed?? There is a nice spring spreader available and it is near Sunshine.

El Rat · 10-01-2013, 04:42 PM

You can make a spring spreader for less than 30.00. I absolutely hate to borrow anything...

Lawrie · 10-01-2013, 04:59 PM

ALSO when you strip and grease the spring leaves,after assembling it wrap it in DENSO tape,
it will keep the grease in and the road grime out.
Lawrie

jim1932 · 11-15-2013, 06:29 PM

GAWD… I am the slowest mechanic alive. Finally got the new shackels in thanks to the loan of a longer spring spreader from a Barner I had only met on here and not in person. Gotta love Barners!

Brendan · 11-15-2013, 06:38 PM

when I replaced my shackles, I took the spring apart and ground the flat spots , so it would flex again

jerseyboy · 11-18-2013, 08:40 AM

Jim,

What did you end up using for bushings?

Keep 4-banging!

jim1932 · 11-18-2013, 09:32 AM

Pete and Jakes. They have a rubber bushing. Easy to install once we drove the old bushing out.

jerseyboy · 11-19-2013, 01:55 PM

Jim,
Thanks! BTW, what are the bushing dimensions?

Keep 4-banging!

PeteVS · 11-19-2013, 09:24 PM

The "hot rod" shackle bushings usually fit a 3/4" hole in the spring and accept a 3/8" bolt thru.

09-28-2013, 08:13 PM	#3
jim1932 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hancock, MA Posts: 2,783	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... Yes....A to lazy and B couldn't undo the center bolt... which means I would need to grind or cut it off. Never said I was efficient or smart.... __________________ Short URL: http://smu.gs/14g7eDW

09-29-2013, 05:40 AM	#4
PeteVS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FP, NJ Posts: 2,770	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... Get a clamp on it and grind off one end or the other. It's a great opportunity to clean up the individual leaves, paint them and lubricate them. (Use Slip Spray available from NAPA.) Chances are that the leaves won't slide one against another due to rust, making the ride terrible. __________________ Don't never get rid of nuthin!

09-29-2013, 06:38 AM	#5
BILL WZOREK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florence Ma. Posts: 2,404	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... Jim1932 When you think about a spring shackle as a radius movement the spring side has to move more with every bounce the frame makes. <The thought is is my brain I hope it got to my fingures & key board so you understand what I am trying to say.>

09-29-2013, 08:12 AM	#6
Cecil/WV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gerrardstown, WV Posts: 2,266	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Jim, have you seen the blurb in the RG 36 V8 club newsletter about the club tools that can be borrowed?? There is a nice spring spreader available and it is near Sunshine.

10-01-2013, 04:42 PM	#7
El Rat Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 260	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... You can make a spring spreader for less than 30.00. I absolutely hate to borrow anything...

10-01-2013, 04:59 PM	#8
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,221	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... ALSO when you strip and grease the spring leaves,after assembling it wrap it in DENSO tape, it will keep the grease in and the road grime out. Lawrie

11-15-2013, 06:38 PM	#10
Brendan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca Posts: 2,903	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... when I replaced my shackles, I took the spring apart and ground the flat spots , so it would flex again __________________ If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya! i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!

11-18-2013, 08:40 AM	#11
jerseyboy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northwest CT Posts: 503	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... Jim, What did you end up using for bushings? Keep 4-banging! __________________ She just don't have the appetite For gas somehow, And Dad, I got four carburetors Hooked up on it now. I tried to hook another To see if I'd do a little good, But ain't no place to put it 'Less I perforate the hood. Wanted, lower side sections of 32 radiator cowl.

11-18-2013, 09:32 AM	#12
jim1932 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hancock, MA Posts: 2,783	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... Pete and Jakes. They have a rubber bushing. Easy to install once we drove the old bushing out. __________________ Short URL: http://smu.gs/14g7eDW

11-19-2013, 01:55 PM	#13
jerseyboy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northwest CT Posts: 503	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... Jim, Thanks! BTW, what are the bushing dimensions? Keep 4-banging! __________________ She just don't have the appetite For gas somehow, And Dad, I got four carburetors Hooked up on it now. I tried to hook another To see if I'd do a little good, But ain't no place to put it 'Less I perforate the hood. Wanted, lower side sections of 32 radiator cowl. Last edited by jerseyboy; 11-19-2013 at 01:56 PM. Reason: added info.

11-19-2013, 09:24 PM	#14
PeteVS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FP, NJ Posts: 2,770	Re: My Spring Shackle saga continues...... The "hot rod" shackle bushings usually fit a 3/4" hole in the spring and accept a 3/8" bolt thru. __________________ Don't never get rid of nuthin!