The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Spring Shackle Question

I need to order spring shackles & botls/bushings for my 56 but I'm confused (happens often!)...

SHACKLES: Chevy Duty (or whatever they're called now) catalog shows the same shakle kits for Front OR Rear ($72.00 for 4). However, American Classic (one of the sponsors of this site) shows separate kits for Front AND Rear ($116 for 4)...

QUESTION: Are the front and rear shakle kits different or is one of the catalogs incorrect?

BOLTS/BUSHINGS: Chevy Duty lists at $20 for front 2, $20 for rear 2... American Classic lists $33 for front 2 and $50 for rear 2.

Totals
Chevy Duty: $112
American Classic: $199

So is there a difference between front & rear shackles and why such a HUGE price difference?

L.M.C. shows the shackle kit the same but the spring pin different. www.lmctruck.com

I had a bear (haha) installing the newer frame bushings into the frame lug. I ended up using A BFH.... no fun it was. To help w/ the second one, I ground down (belt sander) those serrarated portions (all round) a little and the install (hammering) went much better. the origional ones are a little different than the new replacements. I also used the old screw in piece to set the new bushing. Getting the old one out was fairly easy with the same sized drift.
my.02

Bought mine at NAPA for half that price. Check it out.

Here's a tip for installing those bushings; I used a carriage bolt, 1/2" thread x 8" length, a handfull of 1/2" fender washers, and a nut to make a puller. I modelled it after the tool shown in the manual. Just tap the bushing in a little way to get it started, then place the washers on both the bushing and the opposite side of the spring from where the bushing is being pulled from. Hold the bolt with a 1/2" open end wrench on the square flats under the head (that's why I used a carriage bolt) and turn the nut down to pull the bushing in. It'll go in easy as could be.

What a coincidence. I just placed a new topic on the forum asking for help in installing the bushings in the frame. The ones in the springs are fine so I just ordered one set which gave me what I needed for both sides of the frame. Now, about the price. Chevy Duty (actually they are now called Classic Parts)is very competitive. I've been happy with their parts and service although there was a mix-up in years on my shackle kit and I got a set for a 55-56 instead of a 58. Have to call them tomorrow.

According to the master parts book:

Part# 3682788 shackle is used both front and rear on a '56.

Listed for:
rear 55-59, ½, ¾ ton
65-67 ser 20, 30 D-D

Front 47-55 comm
55-59
63-66 4/WD

It lists overall length as 4 1/16" and width 1 ½".

On ADs they are different. I found out after ordering the same ones for front and rear from LMC.

Thanks guys!

Longbox, you're a genius! That tip should help me get mine in a lot easier than using the 5 lb. sledge!

American Classic usually scores high in customer service. If you have questions, call them and find out. Chevy Duty, I cannot say, haven't done any business there since they changed. At LMC you talk to people who only know what is written in the catalog. Some people are fine with that, but not me. Here's a link to the front kit. http://www.bowtiebits.com/Catalog/spring_pin_and_shackle_kit_3309511.htm