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Help! C shackle bushings toast?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by toolbox, Jul 21, 2010.

  1. Jul 21, 2010
    toolbox

    toolbox If you get bored, I've got the projects.

    Hamilton, Montana
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2006
    Messages:
    347
    Hey guys,
    I searched the forum, but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for...
    I've got a '55 CJ5, with the old style C shaped spring shackles. From what I've read about them, the bushings are supposed to be threaded, and screw into threads in the hole in the frame, correct? Well, it looks like mine are so worn out they're not actually threaded any more... I backed a couple of them out a ways, and they were completely smooth :oops:. I'm not really too sure how I'm going to fix this...is my only option to find a bushing I can install in the hole and use a regular H style shackle? I only backed off the two that looked like they had a lot of play in them...the other two might be okay, I'll have to check.
    Any ideas? Anyone else ever run into this?
    Thanks!
    Scott
     
  2. Jul 21, 2010
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    Mmm. I know that we sold a lot of replacements in the day. Walck's lists them: http://www.walcks4wd.com/productdetail.aspx?pid=2962

    [​IMG]

    I think the hole in the bracket and spring is the same as the silent block style; ie just a hole. The two halves screw together and that holds the bushing and shackle on.
     
  3. Jul 21, 2010
    toolbox

    toolbox If you get bored, I've got the projects.

    Hamilton, Montana
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2006
    Messages:
    347
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    Thanks, Tim.
    Hmmm...if the holes in the frame aren't threaded, then I might be okay. My shackles are so worn they look pretty smooth...I'll try and get out there with a ratchet after the kids go to bed and take a closer look. The poor thing looks like the suspension was just plain worn out, and people just kept on driving it. I just assumed that since the bushings are threaded on the outside, the holes must be threaded too...
     
  4. Jul 21, 2010
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    The frame holes *are* threaded, but the threads are not very deep, have a close look- you might have got lucky. Also be aware the there are RH & LH threaded shackles, see the factory service manual for details.

    H.
     
  5. Jul 21, 2010
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    yep
    a poly bushing can be persuaded to go into that type of hangar as well....
    if you decide to go the H shackle route
     
  6. Jul 21, 2010
    SIDSCJ

    SIDSCJ Jeep addict

    14th State
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,189
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    Easier to insert the poly bushings without the steel sleeve, then lube the bolt sleeve and push it into the bushing. Allows the bushing to give a little, makes life much easier.
     
  7. Jul 21, 2010
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    If the threads are worn out in the spring mounts I usually run a cheap wheel cylinder hone through them to smoothe them out even further. Makes the poly bushings last longer and less chance of damaging them when installing. I use the cheapest springloaded expanding cylinder hone I can find that is adjustable. Has worked well for me. Gives more surface area for the poly bushing to push against and is pretty cheap to boot. That allows you to convert to the stronger "H" type shackle which is a good upgrade unless you are going for restoration. The threads typically wear out because people don't grease them enough just like U-joints, clutch and brake pedals, etc.
     
  8. Jul 22, 2010
    toolbox

    toolbox If you get bored, I've got the projects.

    Hamilton, Montana
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2006
    Messages:
    347
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    Thanks a bunch for all the input guys! I went out there with a socket after I got the kids in bed...the passenger side frame bushings are *really* bad. The front one has just a hint of the threads still there, and the back one is even worse. Both were dry as a bone and full of rust :(.
    I backed the drivers side front out a bit, and it looks like it might still be serviceable...there was still some grease on it, and the threads didn't look too bad. Didn't have time to check the back. The unfortunate thing for me is I'd really like to do a stock restoration on this, since it's a first year CJ5. I've looked around, and there doesn't seem to be anywhere that you can get a replacement frame insert, so once the threads are gone, they're gone. Maybe this weekend I'll try and take one of the shackles completely off and actually look in the hole and see if there's anything left of the threads...but I'm not holding out much hope for the passenger side.
    If there isn't any way to salvage the C shackles setup, does anyone have a part number for a poly bushing/shackle to stuff in there?

    I think my springs are probably serviceable, so I'd like to reuse them. In a perfect world I'd get new ones, but if I'm ever going to drive this thing, I need to find ways to keep the budget down. I figure I can sand blast the old ones, paint them and use them for now (unless I can find someone who wants to donate a set of springs after they do a lift or something). They can always be replaced someday anyway...
    Anyway, can anyone recommend a replacement shackle/bushing setup if my C shackles can't be replaced?
    Cheers,
    Scott
     
  9. Jul 22, 2010
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    look at the kit from Crown or any other supplier
    someone even had one or two for sale on this site a while back
    Jeep p/n 916646
    this kit will have the bushings, bolts and shackle plates
    and they are relatively inexpensive
    I converted my flatty over to these on all four corners before I went HD H shackles.
    plus, you can carry one kit as spare parts for trail runs.
     
  10. Jul 22, 2010
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    Messages:
    3,466
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    I'm a big fan of the original Willys "U" type shackles.
    I recently bought a 2A that had been totaled out in a front end collision.
    The frame horns were mangled about 180*.
    The "U" type shackles got bent some but they did not break.
    Original shackles are extremely tough and durable (especially when serviced :D)
    Seems like all the original "Silent Blok" type shackles that I ever worked on were severely rusted/ froze up.

    I bet you could find some decent used threaded brackets if you post an ad.
    Most any CJ frame brackets having "U" type shackles should suffice.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2010
  11. Jul 22, 2010
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    Brian used the U-shackles on his race cars. They added an additional plate across the open end, but otherwise they were factory parts.

    Is there any functional difference? I'd think that being greaseable would be an advantage if you actually greased them occasionally. I'm not impressed with the rubber silent block bushings that replaced them. Lower maintenance and quiet, but they do not seem very durable. Certainly I would go with poly before I'd install new rubber silent block bushings.
     
  12. Jul 22, 2010
    dafeeesshh

    dafeeesshh Member

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2010
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    138
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    Had the same problem just bought new ones and they didn't thread in, they just kinda pushed in. A little loose but they seem fine, find out when i actually get to drive it.
     
  13. Jul 22, 2010
    dvw86

    dvw86 Member

    Eastern Washington
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2007
    Messages:
    191
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    I purchased new U bolt style for my '55 CJ5. They were like $12 each and were identical to the original ones. I like them.
     
  14. Jul 23, 2010
    Mr. Gangrene Jeans

    Mr. Gangrene Jeans I See Voices&Hear Visions

    Kansas City
    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2009
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    282
    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    Wasn't that a Heavy Duty or Combat option for the M38?

    Couldn't the worn mounts be chased with a similar size/style tap and a light coating of epoxy smeared in. Grease the bushings and thread them in before the epoxy quite sets. May not work and be a big mess, not to mention finding a left-hand fine thread tap that size. Nevermind.
     
  15. Jul 23, 2010
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
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    Re: Help! C shackel bushings toast?

    [​IMG]

    I had a set survive this just fine, extra plates across the ends are not really necessary.

    H.
     
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