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Shackle Angle

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 53Flattie, Dec 15, 2004.

  1. Dec 15, 2004
    53Flattie

    53Flattie Intigator

    Easley, SC
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    855
    Joe Klosterman recently posted pictures of the CJ he's building for his friend. I remember him mentioning the shackle angle being at about 20* with no weight on it. Once everything is reassembled, this should give the shackles an approximate 45* angle (away from the Jeep).

    I completely agree with this reasoning b/c with an arched spring, as the spring compresses, it lengthens, and as the spring droops, it will shorten. The 45* angle will allow movement in both directions. (flat YJ springs are a whole different animal)

    My question is this: Why are almost all shackes completely vertical? The ones on Lulu are. The ones on the flattie are. The ones on Harry's CJ7 are. I just installed a brand new Black Diamond lift on "Granny" and the shackles are actually raked back about 20* in the opposite direction. The only reason I don't think something is wrong is b/c of the last page of this PDF document:

    http://www.holbrookspecialties.com/files/75olderlongleafinstall.pdf

    The shackles on Granny look just like the white shackle in that illustration. That's the installation instruction for the Holbrook longleafs. If they were installed per those instructions, once you weighted the springs, the shackles would be vertical.

    With this set-up, where does the droop come from? When the axle droops and the spring becomes shorter, there's no where for the shackle to go?

    Am I missing something???
     
    53Flattie, Dec 15, 2004
    #1
  2. Dec 15, 2004
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    Tim-

    I don't think I would be really concerned unless the completely assembled Jeep were sitting with the shackles at 45* INWARD. IMHO, the shackles *should* be near vertical, or slightly bowed outward, but that is just my opinion. Considering that aftermarket springs tend to be rather stiff and unload very little, I don't think you have much to worry about.

    HTH. ;)
     
    w3srl, Dec 15, 2004
    #2
  3. Dec 15, 2004
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    3,437
    I'm with Steve. Vertical is fine because when they unload/droop, they just don't shorten all that much. They will grow considerably when compressed/flattened, but they don't "shorten" by an equal amount when drooped.
     
    lynn, Dec 15, 2004
    #3
  4. Dec 15, 2004
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    Also keep in mind that new springs will settle out/sag over time...
     
    Boyink, Dec 15, 2004
    #4
  5. Dec 15, 2004
    Project71-5

    Project71-5 BACON

    Gypsum, CO
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2002
    Messages:
    897
    I put weight on the Jeep that I posted pics of last week and the shackles now sit at about 39-40*. With the body on, radiator, etc.. they should be around 45*. This is fine for SOA because right now the springs are almost flat.

    They will have tons of droop which is good because I don't want the spings going into major negative arch.
     
    Project71-5, Dec 15, 2004
    #5
  6. Dec 21, 2004
    sternbal

    sternbal Member

    Nashville, TN
    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2004
    Messages:
    104
    I though the main reason for vertical shackles was for on-road ride quality. When the shackles are vertical, minor spring compressions/droops are translated mainly horizontally, instead of vertically.
     
    sternbal, Dec 21, 2004
    #6
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