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View Full Version : Shackle bushing question

incocknito
03-09-2003, 09:24 AM
The schackle eye has a crease stamped into the outside of the eye causing a raised ridge into the outer bushing sleeve. The ridge is so high I can't beleive that the sleeve could be pressed out and, even worse, I don't see how the new bushing could be pressed in. I expected a tight fit but this seems impossible. I have already snapped a lenghth of 1/2" threaded rod trying the homemade press method. Any suggestions? Thanks!
FYR WOOD
03-09-2003, 10:09 AM
get some better shackles. I've got Rusty's XJ shackles on all 4 corners of mine and they are fantastic. They are greasable and have poly bushings. Check him out. www.rustysoffroad.com (http://www.rustysoffroad.com)

Scott
River Beast
03-09-2003, 10:04 PM
the FSJ shackles are still available at the STEALERSHIP with bushings installed for $32 each last time I checked.... FYI
Jim360
03-09-2003, 11:40 PM
Just replaced mine when I installed my 4" rusty lift smile.gif last week. Somewhat of a pain. I used a propane torch & melted out the rubber enough until the center metal part of the bushing came out & then pushed out the rest of the rubber part. I then cut the outer bushing sleeve with a saws-all (just one cut) & then used a chisel to get it out quite easily. Took the shackles & new bushings & had them pressed in for $4.00 each at Alton Tire store.
incocknito
03-10-2003, 04:36 AM
RB, I checked with the local "stealer" and according to his computer there are 3 left in the enitre U.S. Whether this is true or not, who knows.

Jim, did yours have the ridge in them, and did this not cause a problem pressing in the new ones.

Thanks for the responses.
The Anti-Chrysler
03-10-2003, 05:50 AM
Ridge???? Are you sure it's not damaged?

I usually do similar to Jim - drill out all the rubber and center, and carefully cut the thin outer sleeve with a sawzall, and split it after with a chisel to push it out. The inside surface should be (close to) round.
The Anti-Chrysler
03-10-2003, 05:51 AM
Oh wait, do you have one of the one's that have a crimp in the center to retain the bushing??? Usually what you slide in is two poly bushing halves, and the crimp won't get in the way of that.
incocknito
03-10-2003, 08:47 AM
Anti, THANK YOU! This was making me crazy. Yes, there is a crimp in the center. I have the one piece bushing and there is no way the uneven inner surface is going to let it pass through, press or not. Thanks for clearing this up for me.
The Anti-Chrysler
03-10-2003, 11:38 PM
You're welcome :D From what I understand, the factory crimped the center of the shackle after the bushing was inserted to keep it in place. As far as I can imagine, there's no way to press in a new bushing sleeve without ruining it when it passes by the crimp. Don't think there's any way you can get rid of it.

I'm guessing the factory recommended procedure was to replace the entire shackle when the bushing went bad. :rolleyes:

When I replaced my bushings, I used polyurethane, which comes in two halves, which press in from either side, so they meet the crimp in the center - not a problem. I'm guessing it's either poly bushings, or a new shackle. Good luck!
Powerstroked
03-11-2003, 08:14 AM
I resently pressed in new bushing's I bought from ESPO. Mine also had the ridges. Cleaned up I.D.of shackle, lubed up bushing with anti-seize and pressed right in. No problems. John