The Ford Barn

Chris_AAFord · 02-13-2017, 10:25 PM

I'm rebuilding the front end of a 31 AA and this spring shackle looks too big to me but I would like to see what others think.

The front Spring and perch measure closer to 2 3/16, the shackle measures closer to 2 5/16 leaving an extra 1/8th.

DJ S · 02-13-2017, 10:30 PM

Yeah, that's no good. I'll take some measurements for you in the morning to see if your perch and spring are the correct length. It also appears that you have a repro shackle, I have no experience with those but I would seek NOS shackles as I've heard the repros are no good.

Bob C · 02-13-2017, 10:35 PM

I measured a few AA spring perches and I came up with 2 3/16" also.

Bob

Tom Endy · 02-13-2017, 10:39 PM

Front shackle perches evidently were made in two different sizes. In the past I have bought front shackle sets that came with bushings that did not fit the perch. I have also run into this problem several times when replacing front shackle bushings, so what I did was purchase a quantity of rear shackle bushing from Bratton's and had a friend with a lathe cut the length down. The modified rear shackles bushings fit the front shackle perches that are shorter than the rears.

Tom Endy

Chris_AAFord · 02-13-2017, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

I measured a few AA spring perches and I came up with 2 3/16" also.

Bob

Thank you, I have two sets of perches and two front springs, they're all 2 3/16. Maybe i need to find NOS shackles that measure the appropriate 2 1/4.

Synchro909 · 02-14-2017, 01:34 AM

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I know it's not according to Hoyle, but why not just put a spacer (maybe a washer or two) in there to take up the extra. Anyone who sees it has just been run over and has other problems!

jw hash · 02-14-2017, 04:52 AM

AA front shackles are the same as A cars and pick ups rears. NOS ones are pretty hard to come. the shackles are not supposed to tight against the spring perches. 1/8" is no big deal. I would run them.

Big hammer · 02-14-2017, 10:26 AM

Maybe o-rings on each side? would help to keep crap out and grease in!

Chris_AAFord · 02-14-2017, 06:47 PM

Thanks for everyone's help I might have this issue solved.

I called berts hoping to find a NOS shackle, they didn't have any. He did go through his stock of new parts and he found that some of the shackles were just over 2.25 some were just under 2.25. He's going to send me a set that's just under 2.25 which should do the trick.

Seems like the quality control on this part might not be that good.

02-13-2017, 10:30 PM	#2
DJ S Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Southwick, MA Posts: 598	Re: Spring Shackle too big? Yeah, that's no good. I'll take some measurements for you in the morning to see if your perch and spring are the correct length. It also appears that you have a repro shackle, I have no experience with those but I would seek NOS shackles as I've heard the repros are no good.

02-13-2017, 10:35 PM	#3
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,360	Re: Spring Shackle too big? I measured a few AA spring perches and I came up with 2 3/16" also. Bob

02-13-2017, 10:39 PM	#4
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,168	Re: Spring Shackle too big? Front shackle perches evidently were made in two different sizes. In the past I have bought front shackle sets that came with bushings that did not fit the perch. I have also run into this problem several times when replacing front shackle bushings, so what I did was purchase a quantity of rear shackle bushing from Bratton's and had a friend with a lathe cut the length down. The modified rear shackles bushings fit the front shackle perches that are shorter than the rears. Tom Endy

02-14-2017, 01:34 AM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,044	Re: Spring Shackle too big? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I know it's not according to Hoyle, but why not just put a spacer (maybe a washer or two) in there to take up the extra. Anyone who sees it has just been run over and has other problems! __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

02-14-2017, 04:52 AM	#7
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,662	Re: Spring Shackle too big? AA front shackles are the same as A cars and pick ups rears. NOS ones are pretty hard to come. the shackles are not supposed to tight against the spring perches. 1/8" is no big deal. I would run them.

02-14-2017, 10:26 AM	#8
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,432	Re: Spring Shackle too big? Maybe o-rings on each side? would help to keep crap out and grease in!

02-14-2017, 06:47 PM	#9
Chris_AAFord Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: FT. Washington, PA Posts: 85	Re: Spring Shackle too big? Thanks for everyone's help I might have this issue solved. I called berts hoping to find a NOS shackle, they didn't have any. He did go through his stock of new parts and he found that some of the shackles were just over 2.25 some were just under 2.25. He's going to send me a set that's just under 2.25 which should do the trick. Seems like the quality control on this part might not be that good.