Front shackles worn?

[fmxr47]

I have an 86 k20 that the front leaf spring bushings and shackle bushings are completely shot, I get a little bit of a wobble when I hit a set of railroad tracks at speed, the steering is pretty tight and has a new drag link on it. I'm planning on changing all the bushings but the rear of the front leafs are resting on the frame and sounds like heck when I hit a bump, is there an aftermarket solution to this problem to prolong the front end bushings? I will use this on the trail a little bit when all is fixed


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[Greybeard]

I can't say for sure but if your spring eyes are up against the frame you have bigger troubles than just worn bushings. It appears to need new springs too. Maybe not. Both bushings would need to be nonexistent for the springs to touch the frame.

[blazer74]

Truck lifted by any chance?

Replace all the bushings (polyurethane is a good option), bolts/sleeves if needed and if it's lifted with positive arch springs consider Installing a set of heavy duty shackles that are 1/2 inch longer to help prevent this.

 You may need new shackles anyway if it's that bad.

Check the front spring mounts for loose rivets to the frame.

Also check your frame at the steering box area where it bolts up for cracks while your looking around.

I had minor spring rub with lift springs and worn bushings. Replaced all as mentioned above with ORD shackles.

The problem can be worse with lifted trucks due to springs are longer.

[fmxr47]

Yeah it's about an 8" lift and I'm going to measure the shackles when I get to the farm and I'll get some longer ones or make my own, I have all the fab equipment I could need for simple jobs

I traded an old jeep for this truck and have been going through fixing all the major things wrong with it when time and money allows, first was to get it running right.

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[blazer74]

You can see where mine used to rub also. These are 1/2" longer, thicker and use a bigger bolt at the spring eye.

Note : depending on brand springs u have determines bushing size for the spring eyes.

[fmxr47]

I wish there was a way to know which springs I had, I want to order my bushing before hand and not have it torn apart waiting on parts :/  thank you for the help. I've thought about those ORD shackles


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[blazer74]

ORD site has info on the bushing size for springs. Most are the same but there are exceptions.

Removing the outer metal sleeve that can remain when you remove the bushings  from the springs can be a pain to get out.

[roundhouse]

The bottom of the Shackles also need to be angled to the rear

If the bottoms angle straight down or to the front it makes it ride really rough


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[fmxr47]

I have torches and a air hammer so that part doesn't worry me, they look like they've been replaced with energy suspension red bushings already


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[blazer74]

Easy to take loose and measure bushings and reinstall if already replaced if needed.
Just remember that if you go heavy duty shackles the Lower bolt size changes.

[blazer74]

The bottom of the Shackles also need to be angled to the rear

If the bottoms angle straight down or to the front it makes it ride really rough


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Rides just fine. 30 year old super lift springs.

[fmxr47]

Yeah I use to wheel a Cherokee so I'm very familiar with shackle angle for ride and optimum flex, I'm going to use this truck as a backup daily driver if needed and an occasional trail rig


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[fmxr47]

Do you guys know of a way to identify what springs are on my truck? Sorry if this has been covered before


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[blazer74]

Nope, sorry.

[Greybeard]

My wild guess is that they are Chevy springs. About 2.5 inches wide and whatever length is necessary to reach from the spring hanger to the shackles. As for how to decide on what brand, no help here. Rusty steel looks like rusty steel. So unless the spring maker stamped a logo or part numbers I believe that measuring them is the only way. Even part numbers might be a dead end.