Need Shackle Advice

For my birthday I'm getting these shackles.



I've been told that new shackles and bushings will make a big improvement in the ride of the jeep. Can someone vouch for this? Will I see a big improvement?

Also they sell the bushings separately and the only ones they sell are the polyurethane ones. They're expensive and I was hoping to find some rubber ones.

 

I didn't go the greasable kind...just wasn't enough in the birthday fund for them.

I did go ahead with the poly bushing though. The price for them was per kit and I thought it was per leaf.

A kit covers two springs so I went ahead.

Should get them in about 5 days and I'm hoping for a huge difference.

Now if I can find a master cylinder for less than $100.00.

 

Here's the bushing kit I'm getting.



It looks to me like the large bushings will fit inside the leaf spring themselves @ the loop in the end.

Not sure what the small bushings would be for.

I guess there'll be instructions that come with the kit so I'll figure it out.

Are there any tricks to installing them?

 

I replaced the spring/shackle bushings about a year ago really does make a difference. Mine were 1 piece. My shackles would not have allowed for the outside lip like the ones in you pics.
Also when you swap out the old bushings if the old ones were the originals there will most likely be a metal outside sleeve on them which will be rusted into place. I had to use a hacksaw on the sleeve to split it then it just popped out with a couple of hits with a hammer and chiesel.

 

I'm thinking they are in fact two piece since the picture is of one kit which is supposed to work for two springs. Looks like a sandwich type application where the spring eye is sandwiched between two of these bushings.

Oh BTW I just ordered a new master cylinder from Krage for $89.00 plus $14.00 shipping.

It looks like I've got a project or two upcoming in the next 5 or so days.

 

I agree with you Sparky Shackle wouldn't fit and the kit John show in the pic only has 2 inner sleeves and 4 are required for a pair of springs

 

Yeah that's it Sparky. The guy on the phone said the picture was supposed to represent what was included in the kit but with all the talk here I'm thinking it's a bad representation.

Oh well, I'll see when it comes in.

Good thing is I'll have brand new "heavy duty" shackles with new bushings so I'm stoked.

Course I'll be running them on old factory springs and a stiff add-a-leaf kit but still, I think it'll make an improvement, and it'll give me an opportunity to straighten out that bent hangar I've got in the rear. I might try to weld some gussets on those to keep them from bending again.

 

I found out about this tool here when I replaced my shackles:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4065
One of those sleeves fits perfectly and will push out the old bushing no problems. I spent an hour trying to take out an old rubber bushing and when I finally came to my senses and consulted this board some one told me about this tool. Soak the old rubber bushings with PB Blaster a day before and drive around. They will literally slide right out with this tool.
Heck, if I had the tool here I'd just mail it to you. When do you plan on installing your new bushings?

 

I should get them in the mail within a week or so and the install will depend on my free time.

I don't know yet if I'm going to try to do it myself or hire someone. I don't have all the tools nor a place to do the job other than my garage but if it's not that big of a job I might try it.

I would greatly appreciate the loan of that tool if you're up to it.

I could return it to you with your shipping costs when I finished with it.

 

John I would be more than willing to send you the tool it pretty much just sits in my garage - in Florida. However, I'm here in Mississippi with my wife for the rest of the month. If you are willing to wait a couple of weeks I'll be back in Florida and can send you the tool. With this tool, a couple of jack stands and your hi-lift you can have all four corners done in just over an hour.