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| | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 | I'm in the process of changing the rear spring shackles and front bolt. Got one shackles changed but the bolt won't line up to go into the threads on the inside of the bracket. Will I have to loosen the u bolts so I can twist the spring to get the bolt to line up? Still have the othere side to do.  | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,164 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,164 | If the side bars on the old shackle weren't offset, the new one should go back in. If the spring isn't offset too far, you could use a come-along to move it to line up the shackles.
If you do loosen the u-bolts, it's recommended to replace them. You don't want a spring u-bolt to fail going down the road.
When I installed new springs and shackles, I needed to persuade the springs a bit to get the center bolts into the spring seat holes before installing the u-bolts. I think that issue is fairly common.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,308 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,308 | There is a lot of preloaded torque on the springs going on with a torque tube axle. You can jack up the frame so that the axle hangs down enough to relieve that torque. I always put the front spring bolt in before I put the rear shackles on to give me more wiggle room.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2019 Posts: 192 | I ordered new u bolts and springs. Figured if I had it that far I would just put all new on as I've already replaced the front ones. Be at it soon as parts come. Thanks for the information. | | |
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