The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Spring shackle washer replacements ?

The original 16 cork-style washers in the outboard front and rear shackles have worn and broken to the point of little grease retention. The shackles themselves still seem in acceptable condition.

I would like to replace the washers with more substantial neoprene washers and would like to know a good size to ask for at a local hardware supplier like Acklands Grainger. Or failing that, make some out of dense neoprene sheet goods.

Anyone here know the OD, ID and thickness that I should look for?

'55 First Series

outside diameter .934 inches, thickness .271 and hole .478 are the measurements from the washers that came in the Moog shackle kits I bought almost 40 years ago. Just now installing them and they happened to be handy to measure.

Hey thanks, Greg

So, trying to get an idea of how dense the synthetic has to be. I wonder if thick wetsuit material will work ..or maybe too spongy?

These were pretty hard like the rubber washer in a garden hose.

I think you want very dense hard rubber to make the washers.

Put the shackle side plates back on and measure the gap. Then get material thats a little tight so you get a crush fit to seal out dirt and water.

Have you contacted your local big truck drive shaft/suspension shop? They may have then on the shelf!

Mike B

Maybe it got like that after 40 years in your shop, Greg
I'm thinking that in order to fit snug and still expand when needed it should be a little softer?

The shackles are still on the truck, Mike -- I'm collecting info and goods for when I go to the trouble of replacing those seals.

Good idea about checking out a local suspension shop.

They are still flexible and do have to expand over the shackle pins. My originals were still intact and seem to be similar in make-up. I really didn't pay them much attention when replacing them. The big hurdle I fought was running short 2 shackle pins. Both NAPA and Rock Auto want to sell the pins that are too long (for the later 2 inch wide springs) telling you they will fit...wrong! Finally found the correct ones from a spring maker.

The shackle pins are threaded in the shackle bushings so that the end rubber (or cork) seals "crush" with spring up or down movement.

I have used stacked garden hose washers before. They seem to do the job.

Hah... the resourcefulness in me had me tossing that idea around too. But not sure that type of material would stand up to grease.

Jim Carter has them (oldchevytrucks.com ; his part number ME187)

Thanks. I didn't mention the fact that yes, they can be purchased from a few US retailers. But by the time UPS or whomever drops them off at my door here in Victoria, BC. the final cost will be prohibitive. Hence, I'm looking for more of a 'farmhouse' solution.