Shackle removal

[86isuzu]

Hey guys.

'89 Bronco II.
Having a real pain in the ass time getting the old leaf shackles out. The top bolt doesn't give me enough room for an impact wrench, and a breaker bar isn't giving enough torque. I hate to lift up the body just to do this.
Anybody have any tips?

 

[XTC90BII]

Apply some heat if you can to the bolt?

Dennis

 

[Uncle Gump]

You are replacing the shackle and the bolt... cut it. Fire is your friend on any leaf spring/shackle repair. Might even be able to get a metal blade on a Sawzall to cut it.

 

[86isuzu]

You are replacing the shackle and the bolt... cut it. Fire is your friend on any leaf spring/shackle repair. Might even be able to get a metal blade on a Sawzall to cut it.

I think that may be my only real option left. I was trying to remove it less violently, but looks like I'll be cutting it. I may be able to cut it between the shackle and the hanger - hope I don't screw up the hanger too.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I think that may be my only real option left. I was trying to remove it less violently, but looks like I'll be cutting it. I may be able to cut it between the shackle and the hanger - hope I don't screw up the hanger too.

They sell hangers and are very reasonable. In fact I would take hard look at the hangers... if the shackle rusted... the hanger is most likely compromised by rust also. Pretty common repair on RVB's... I just had to replace mine on the 06 with a 100K on the truck.

 

[86isuzu]

The hangers were surprisingly solid. I finally got the shackles lopped off with my cutoff wheel.

Now to turn that damn coil spring nut into a molten puddle...