? On Shackle Install?

[MENARDFAN1511]

HEY GUYS. I BOUGHT 2" DJM DROP SHACKLES, STARTED THE INSTALL AND REALIZED THAT IT WASN'T AS EASY AS EVERYONE MAKES IT OUT TO BE! I HAVE AN 01 SILVERADO WITH 100,000K ON IT, SO MY BOLTS WERE A B*TCH TO GET OUT. I MEAN LIKE 2HOURS WITH TWO PEOPLE :cussing: BUT EVENTUALLY WE GOT THE DRIVERS SIDE DONE. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE, SAME THING! WE GOT THE BOTTOM BOLT OUT, BUT THE TOP BOLT SEEMS LIKE IT'S FUSED WITH THE SPRING BUSHING. SO MY ? IS WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? I MEAN I HAVE ONE MORE FREAKING BOLT! :think:

[dalejrfan88]

What kind of tools are you using? My truck had almost 100k on it and the bolts were pretty stuck but all we used was an impact wrench and they came right out. I got this stuff called deep creep also. Its made by seafoam i think. Its supposed to penetrate and lubricate down in the threads. It worked well for me. I picked it up at the local NAPA for like $5. Definitely made my life easier.

[Silverado Guy]

Thanks for the heads up - I also just bought some 2" DJM pics for my 98. Nice to know what I am in for. Post pics of your truck when you are finished. Will these be the only suspension mod from stock?

[MENARDFAN1511]

We Used An Impact On The Bottom Bolt, But Could Not Fit It In The Wheel Well You Know, Theres Not Enough Room. When I Did The Other Side The Shackle Moved Freely When The Bottom Bolt Was Out. But On The Passenger Side The Shackle Is Like Frozen. I Tried A Torch But I Dont Want To Ruin The Bushing. Maybe A Breaker Bar And That Spray You Talked About Will Work? I Mean This Thing Won't Budge At All.

[MENARDFAN1511]

I Will Definetley Post Pics When Finished. I Also Removed My Lift Blocks From Under The Leafs. And For The Front I Lowered My Torsion Keys. Overall When Finished It Should Be Close To A 2/4 Drop.

[sj250]

To make your life a whole lot easier you need to place a jack under the bottom of the leaf pack right in the middle. It will take a few tries jacking up and down to get the leafs in the right spot but once you do the bolts will come out and go in much easier. You are trying to relieve as much stress and pressure off the bolts as possible.

[MENARDFAN1511]

Well after hours upon hours of trying every single thing imaginable, My buddy and I finally decided to take out the whole spring. We got the whole spring out and put in on a table and slammed it with a sledge. It came out after about 10mins of all out slamming. Turns out the bolt rusted to the bushing, so when the bolt came out we saw the rust had eaten away at the bolt! So just wanted to share this info with everyone. I will post pics soon. Thank all of you guys!:cheer:

[dalejrfan88]

Wow i never had that much problem. This maybe be a stupid question but you did get another bolt didnt you? I know it sounds simple but sometimes things like that can be easily overlooked by the big picture.

[tahoehtp]

I had same problem on my tahoe when I did that last year, took 2 hours on driverside I ended up just use sawsall and cut the shackle and plyed that open to remove it. on the otherhand, passenger side was done in 15min.

[tahoehtp]

I had same problem on my tahoe when I did that last year, took 2 hours on driverside I ended up just use sawsall and cut the shackle and plyed that open to remove it. on the otherhand, passenger side was done in 15min.

[tahoehtp]

sorry My browser didn't refresh so posted twice..

[MENARDFAN1511]

Yes I did get new bolts. It helps to work for a hardware store! haha. Yeah drivers side went pretty smooth but it was all downhill from there man

[white05]

Did you put some grease on the bolt shanks before you installed the new bolts? It will stop your new bolts from rusting and getting screwed up.

[AGUERRA]

Had a similar problem with my install. You just have to work with it and use some elbow grease and lub and the bolts will eventually come out. One side took my longer than the other. Its a pain in the ass but just keep at it.

[bignick31985]

On my 88 I just jacked the leaf pack up and the bolts literally slid out during the install.

Now getting them in was harder, but it still didnt take more than 45 minutes from start to finish.

However, I cannot fit the bolt into the 7" hole. The frame is in the way.

[MENARDFAN1511]

Thats what I'm trying to say! Some people say it shouldnt take more than 45mins, yet other people (like me) have a hell of a time with it. If I didnt take my spring out that bolt would have never come out. EVER!

[MENARDFAN1511]

IDK if this helps clarify the issue I had a little better but, The bolt that was stuck was the "Shackle to spring bolt". The bottom bolt was already out and the spring was raised because I had to get the top bolt out. I know you have to work the bolts back and forth, I did it for an hour on the drivers side! With the force we had to use to get the "Shackle to spring bolt". out The only option was to take the whole spring out so we could get a full force hit on the bolt.

[RaiN]

IDK if this helps clarify the issue I had a little better but, The bolt that was stuck was the "Shackle to spring bolt". The bottom bolt was already out and the spring was raised because I had to get the top bolt out. I know you have to work the bolts back and forth, I did it for an hour on the drivers side! With the force we had to use to get the "Shackle to spring bolt". out The only option was to take the whole spring out so we could get a full force hit on the bolt.

I'm having the same problem with my lowering kit..

Got the front all handled but the passanger side rear spring to shackle bolt was stuck. I'm brining it into a shop where they can use some of their tools to get it out.

[92 Z71]

I had a hard time on my 91 also, but I had to replace the springs anyway. I tried soaking them with PB Blaster for 3 full days. I finally gave up and called a local welding company to come cut them out. I also tried using a sawzall with a metal cutting blade and that only lasted for about 30 seconds before the teeth were gone.

[tahoehtp]

Well after hours upon hours of trying every single thing imaginable, My buddy and I finally decided to take out the whole spring. We got the whole spring out and put in on a table and slammed it with a sledge. It came out after about 10mins of all out slamming. Turns out the bolt rusted to the bushing, so when the bolt came out we saw the rust had eaten away at the bolt! So just wanted to share this info with everyone. I will post pics soon. Thank all of you guys!:cheer:

I had same prob when I did the shackle on my hoe. we used heat, banging, impact gun... etc...
only thing worked was goodold sawsall........

[AFscott]

Strange, Im not telling you anything you probably dont know. Try some heat, WD40 and a big A** breaker bar. Good luck

[notsoheavychevy]

I just bought a set of 2" beltech drop shackles and I saw this post! now im a little worried! My truck has 100k but I did the rotors this weekend and all the bolts were pretty easy to take out with the breaker bar.

How do you install these? I mean from a jacking stand point do you put the axle on jack stands? or just jack up the bottom of the leaf springs????

thanks.

[project 92]

I had the same problem with my 92, the best bet is to just take out your springs and press the whole bushing out and press the new ones back in. Save alot of headaches!!