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Expert
Posts: 2264
Location: McComb, Mississippi | I'm in the midst of removing the leaf spring shackle to replace the bushings on my Imperial and need a little guidance. The factory service manual is of no help. I'm not wanting to remove the entire leaf spring, I'm just needing to remove the shackle. What is the best way to do this for removal and also for installation? Thank you |
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Expert
Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands | Car on jackstands.
Jack under rear axle bowl.
Loosen the shackle bracket or brackets on both sides at once. I recall there are 3 bolts per bracket.
Drop rear axle a few inches by lowering jack.
Loosen rear shackles and replace.
The shackles are positioned "from the inside" so in case the nuts got loose or fall off, the shackle can not work it self out because it would contact the framerails.
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Expert
Posts: 2264
Location: McComb, Mississippi | Thanks for your reply. I just looked and the brackets appear to be held on by really big rivets. |
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Expert
Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands | I think then you should be able to take apart and remove the shackle, without the bracket.
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Expert
Posts: 2264
Location: McComb, Mississippi | Thank you. Just to clarify, lift the body and also put a little pressure on the rear axle? |
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Expert
Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands | Correct.
You have to find the sweetspot where the tension on the springs is lowest.
After that, I sometimes use a piece 2x4 wood between the frame rail and leafsprings to finetune the tension left on the springs when removing the shackle, so it doesn't co ck the shackle crooked when removing it.
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