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Spring Shackles

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Dick Harding, Dec 26, 2006.

  1. Dec 26, 2006
    Dick Harding

    Dick Harding Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2006
    Messages:
    65
    Am doing a frame up on a 52 M38. Planning on using as mostly a road vehicle and little off road but not a rock climber. Took u-type spring shackles off, ready to re-install springs. What is preferred shackle? The u-type or the H style shackle? Thanks!!! Am new to the site (2months) and have gotten some great tips off post. I'm addicted and am on site almost daily. Am starting to turn the corner as I have the body and frame done and am starting to put things back together. Used por-15 on frame, underside of body and floors.
     
    Dick Harding, Dec 26, 2006
    #1
  2. Dec 26, 2006
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
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    Nov 29, 2006
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    838
    This is just My opinion.
    Switch it out. I would only use the the C shackles on a restoration project not a DD.
     
    trickpatrick, Dec 26, 2006
    #2
  3. Dec 26, 2006
    1963cj5

    1963cj5 Member

    N.C.
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    Jan 15, 2006
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    307
    X 2
     
    1963cj5, Dec 26, 2006
    #3
  4. Dec 27, 2006
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
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    Sep 13, 2006
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    Why's that?
     
    evanjm, Dec 27, 2006
    #4
  5. Dec 28, 2006
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    Physics, plain & simple. C-shackles are only supported on one side, and are cast AFAIK. Just seems like good engineering practice to support the spring equally on both sides, unless there is a compelling reason to stay with the cantilevered setup.
     
    w3srl, Dec 28, 2006
    #5
  6. Dec 28, 2006
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
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    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Take a old C shakle off and take a good look at it.
    They have strange wear pattern from the side loads on them.
    Mine looked like they were threaded but was just wear.
    If you have a choice just makes sence to upgrade this like switching to dual chamber brake cylinders ect.
     
    trickpatrick, Dec 28, 2006
    #6
  7. Dec 28, 2006
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Nov 22, 2003
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    I'm not going to argue the relative merits of "C" shackles vs. the "H" type, I'm just gonna says the c's get a lot of undeserved bad press. When I dissassembled Tonk after his little boo-boo
    I found the Cs looked a little bent, which would be reasonable under the circumstances, so I ordered new ones.

    The new ones have the *exact* same bend in them:rofl:

    I'm guessing it 's there on purpose but can't figure out exactly why, but the point is those things are &*%#$* strong. Maybe not the best design but they sure aren't going to fail without a really really good reason. Certainly not on a daily driver or even a moderate off road machine.

    Whether you should go with one or the other is sorta a moot point, either one is no better than the other for your stated purpose. The only comment I'll make is this-

    M38s are getting rarer, not more common. As an investment the closer a vehicle is to stock the more it'll be worth, I'd suggest that you not make any mods to yours that can't be undone later.

    H.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Dec 28, 2006
    #7
  8. Dec 28, 2006
    CJ-X

    CJ-X Member

    Ohio
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    Aug 6, 2006
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    816
    If off-road means taking a trail through the woods, I would stick with the originals. They look cooler and work pretty well. Greasable. If off-road means pushing yourself and your vehicle to their limits, upgrade them.
     
    CJ-X, Dec 28, 2006
    #8
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