What are shackle bushes?
Shackle bushes are an item that are often overlooked during routine maintenance. Shackle bushes live in the leaf spring shackle, they are the bush that allows movement in the suspension. When these bushes are worn they allow uncontrolled movement in the suspension.
How long does it take to replace leaf spring bushings?
Replacing leaf spring bushings on your vehicle can be a big job, but if you have the right tools, a little patience, and time, you can do it in a weekend.
How long does it take to change leaf spring bushings?
If your leaf spring bolts are rusted, or you break a weld nut inside the uni-body, it can take anywhere from one hour to one day to change a leaf spring, depending on your available tools, mechanic skills, and previous experience changing Cherokee leaf springs.
How much does it cost to replace rear shackles?
The average cost for a leaf spring replacement is between $874 and $928. Labor costs are estimated between $147 and $186 while parts are priced between $727 and $742.
What do rear shackle bushes do?
What are rear shackle bushes? If you have leaf springs in the rear of your vehicle then you usually have rear shackle bushes. Rear shackle bushes connect and locate the leaf springs to the chassis, when you go over bumps or turn corners these bushes work to minimize the movement felt in the cabin of the vehicle.
Is it bad to drive with a broken leaf spring?
Can I Drive With a Broken Leaf Spring? Technically, you can drive a truck with a broken leaf spring, but that doesn’t mean you should. Driving a truck with a broken middle leaf could render your vehicle unstable, but not too dangerous, provided you limit your driving to the nearest, safest places.
How do you replace leaf spring shackles and bushings?
Steps to Replace Leaf Spring Bushings Block the front wheels and raise the rear with a jack under the third member, lowering the vehicle onto stands under the frame. Keep the jack under the rear end. Remove the bolt and lower the jack completely to perform the repair described below.
How do you remove a leaf shackle on a car?
Block the front wheels and raise the rear with a jack under the third member, lowering the vehicle onto stands under the frame. Keep the jack under the rear end. Do one end of a single spring at a time, removing the bolt securing the spring into the front pocket and/or the leaf spring and frame bolts on the rear shackle as required.
What kind of bolts are in leaf spring shackles?
If you do purchase a leaf spring shackle kit, make sure it comes with new Grade 10 (minimum) bolts. If not, I recommend you purchase them. Some leaf spring bushing replacement kits either don’t come with new nuts and bolts or the bolts they do come with are at best Grade 8.
When to replace rear suspension bushing and springs?
In the rear, you may think your leaf springs are failing if it’s time to replace your suspension bushings. You’ll start feeling every bump in the road like you were riding over it on a bicycle. Bushings can fail over time, since their soft rubber material makes them prone to wear and dry rot.