The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rear shackle question

My driver side rear shackle looks off and I wanted to know your thoughts. Should I try to adjust it, leave it alone or replace with new?

Looks to me like the spring eye ate its way into the shackle. I’d replace. Check the spring out too

I'm with JW51, looks like shackles and bushings are in your future.

Do both sides at the same time.

Mike B

Thank you guys. I will replace both and inspect for damage to the spring. What should I look for on the spring eye just wear?

See if the spring eye got eaten away in that same spot. Otherwise, just look for general condition of the spring.

You should probably replace the threaded bushing in the springs and do new shackle pins with the shackles. Mike made a good point about doing both sides.

Is that a lowering block between spring & axel housing?

If I am looking at the same thing that you see, that looks like a part of the casting of the axle for the c-clamp to grab onto.
If it is a "block", it would be a lifting block, given that the springs are under the axle.

Yes it is a 4” block. When I got the truck it already had this installed. The truck drive amazing so I am a little nevouse to mess with too much. Is it possible the spring could be twisted? If need be I am ok with replacing springs with lowering ones and shackles and getting rid of the blocks.

I have to agree with Hank that it's a lowering block

If the shackles are like that you have to wonder about rest of the chassis. The king pins & tie rod ends.

George

It’s all how you want to start the process, with the rear mount so severely worn (and not seeing the front mount condition which I can’t imagine is much better), and seeing you like the ride and stance, for nominal cost you can just replace all the spring mount bushings, and shackles/shackle pivot bushings and see how that puts everything, you need all that put in good order in any direction you go, and I may well set things right.
If not then go the new spring route knowing it was necessary, with the bushings so worn I think it premature to speculate on the springs being twisted…..

Re blocks lowering or lifting? Semantics really….say it how you like, yes the blocks are “lifting” the axel in the frame, which “lowers” the truck… I chose to call them lowering blocks"…..

Chuck

The front end was all redone before I got it. They replaced all tie rods and ball joints and king pins along with the front shackles. Not sure why the left the rear alone.

It might be a good idea to loosen the U-bolts when you replace the spring bushings to release any tension/miss alignment the lowering block have on the springs. Then tighten the U-bolts back up after the spring in hanging in it's new correct position.

Mike B

I just took another look at the picture. I mistook the white colored part as being the leaf spring, not a block. That is a honking big lowering block.