Spring shackle replacement

[oldford2]

Well, if you are ever looking for a fun way to spend a day, consider changing your shackles. Make sure there are no kids around to learn new words. John

[JM 35 Sedan]

John, are those bushings made of rubber? I believe the latest bushings made of Teflon or some other very tough plastic material work better than the older rubber bushings.

[oldford2]

John,
Yes I have seen the plastic ones and they may be more durable than the hard rubber ones. But I had the hard rubber replacements in my stash so used them. The ones I replaced may have been originals (50,000 miles). I will see if these last 50,000 miles and will report back then. Should tighten up the front end a bit.
John

[Talkwrench]

Front or back? A spring spreader is a must.. I have not done and original style shackle pin nor would I want to.. The guy who I borrow the spring speader from [a lot older than me and done it many times] grumbles and swears under his breath with the mention of the original pin type.. : o P

[VeryTangled]

Hi Everyone, I've had the pleasure of doing the fronts once and the backs twice. Shackle bushings are a lovely thing to practice your vocabulary on. You'll like the results.

We had to saws-all some of them out. Way too much fun!

-VT/Jeff

[oldford2]

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I did the fronts today. The rears last year. I have a spring spreader I made - 3/4 course thread. Bowed a little today so a little scary. So today I stopped at out local Fastenal store and ordered a 3/4 fine thread grade 8. That should do it. (I hope)

John

[Bubsyouruncle]

For everybody out there who is column-loading stuff to make spring-spreaders, keep in mind Euler's statement which tells you that you will have buckling of your column at 40 times your minimum dimension. That says that your 3/4 all-thread, no matter what material it is made of, will buckle (bend) if it is over 20 inches long between solid support points. Root diameter assumed as 1/2", not thread of 3/4".

[Bubsyouruncle]

Fascinating problem. Replacing the shackles. Been there, done that.

So let's take a car sitting on its springs. All you really need to do is to shove something sturdy into the space between the spring ends to hold them that far apart and then take the shackles off. Kinda - sorta? Right? I have done it with an ordinary 2x4.

Of course, if the spring is lying on the floor, you have a very different problem. One that the manufacturer faced 10,000 times a day. (opps, 2 springs. 20,000) a day).
I suspect that Henry used a variation of the Detroit door opener which spread the springs just far enough to enable the workers to install the shackles.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by oldford2

I did the fronts today. The rears last year. I have a spring spreader I made - 3/4 course thread. Bowed a little today so a little scary. So today I stopped at out local Fastenal store and ordered a 3/4 fine thread grade 8. That should do it. (I hope)

John

John, grade 8 is very brittle - NOT what you want for this application. Whatever you do, I strongly advise you do NOT use All-thread® either. It too is VERY brittle.
There have been a number of related posts on this subject. The guys, like myself, that have an extensive background in metals and metal working concur with my advice.
GOOD spring spreaders (in other words : SAFE) are made from one piece of steel. Stress proof is my preference. VERY strong, it can handle large loads in various directions.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Bubsyouruncle

For everybody out there who is column-loading stuff to make spring-spreaders, keep in mind Euler's statement which tells you that you will have buckling of your column at 40 times your minimum dimension. That says that your 3/4 all-thread, no matter what material it is made of, will buckle (bend) if it is over 20 inches long between solid support points. Root diameter assumed as 1/2", not thread of 3/4".

This is a good rule of thumb. especially the advice in regard to the minor diameter.
However, this rule does not apply to all types of steel.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by VeryTangled

Hi Everyone, I've had the pleasure of doing the fronts once and the backs twice. Shackle bushings are a lovely thing to practice your vocabulary on. You'll like the results.

We had to hacksaw some of them out. Way too much fun!

-VT/Jeff

This is one of those jobs that with the correct tools is actually quite easy.
I have replaced quite literally dozens of authentic shackle pins without issues.
I am fortunate enough to have both the extracting and installation tools made by KR Wilson.

[oldford2]

Thanks for your comments Kube. I should not need the spreader for a year or 2 for maybe a new clutch so will study up more on spreaders.
John

[VeryTangled]

Hi Mike, Thanks for your recent comments about Dad.

I appreciate all you do on the 'Barn. Even if some of the folks here drive you nuts.

We're all sort of a dysfunctional family.

Having the right tool for the job is soooo helpful. I didn't think a saws-all was the thing to use at the time, but, I was happy when that bushing broke in two.

My step-mom's recent comments are to 'get rid of the excess tools' which sounded like fingernails on the chalkboard to me. Whoo-wee.

Anyone making a spring spreader, please use 1 inch stock.

-VT/Jeff

[oldford2]

Well,
Plenty of dire warnings on the use of spring spreaders. Scary, but any FIRST (not second) hand reports on injuries?
John

[JM 35 Sedan]

The first spring spreader I made (when I was young and foolish ) used 3/4" all thread and pipe with an ID that slid over the threads. It worked on a '35 front spring but bowed badly on a '35/'36 rear spring. The only thing I will use it for now is to remove or install just the main leaf of front or rear springs. It's just plain too dangerous to try to spread a completely stacked spring. I would like to find an original KRW spring spreader or make one like it myself.

[Talkwrench]

I cant think of using anything other than the proper spring spreader.. The amount of force I used to spread my springs ...Oohh scarey mate!

[Kerk]

I have used a Portapower many times with out a problem.kc

[Vic Piano]

Originally Posted by oldford2

Well,
Plenty of dire warnings on the use of spring spreaders. Scary, but any FIRST (not second) hand reports on injuries?
John

We've used "spring spreaders" for years on both Fords and Lincolns, not something that I particularly enjoy but, I'm happy to report that we've never had any accidents. The key is to use a good (read that correct) tool and take all necessary precautions’. Have fun John, we'll see you soon! Vic

[DadsForty]

Used a PortaPower when replacing the front shackle bushings on the 40. Could not believe the energy stored in that spring assembly!

[jim1932]

You mean there is supposed to be rubber in there?

Still need to do mine, but I am not driving it either.