Aftermarket shackles, replacing bushings?

[Hitman1881]

I was looking at my front shackles, which it appears the PO installed aftermarket. I have done some reading and searching on here and it appears to me the are 1" lift shackles (5" from bolt to bolt)
So here is my question it seems like they have a slight lean to them, the bottoms seem to be out a small bit further than the tops. How much lean is ok or is any? Should they be completely plumb? If so, is the fix new bushings? What bushings would you all go with? I can go get some pics if you think it will help, it is cold as a well diggers *** in the Yukon out there right now and I am toasty warm sitting in here watching pre game football.

 

[PaRenegade]

There is the famous "jeep lean" that it could be. The explanation for this is subject to controversy. However, it could just be your factory shackle mounts, if you still have them on. They were a weak point and can crack, twist, or bend since they are simply a piece of 5/15" flat steel with a loop rolled in the end.
Some pics would help us see what your seeing, preferably a side and head on shot. Try measuring each side of the mount at the bottom of the loop, straight up to a flat straight edge laid across the top of the frame rail. You can also jack up the front end and rest the frame on some stands. Then pull and tug at things to see if theres anything loose or anything moves. Do your springs look straight or could they have gotten twisted at some point in a previous life?
The lean itself isn't cause for major concern unless it's due to a cracked mount or something loose. Many Jeeps have this lean.

 

[Hitman1881]

Here is a pic of the passenger side.

 

[Hitman1881]

Here is the drivers side.

Looks like they are pretty decent shackles. The have the welded spacer. I mess urged the springs are 2" I assume they are stock. Inside measurement of shackles are 2 3/8". Do you guys think the bushings are just shot?

 

[Torxhead]

Looking at the collars of the bushings, especially on the passenger side which is the worst, seems to be in need of replacement. There could be a bent spring shackle or spring in there also, which could aid in it looking like that. Thanks for sending in the pics.

 

[PaRenegade]

I agree with Torx. It's an age thing. The shackles look like old Con-Ferr shackles which were great shackles. The bolts look a bit overtightened though. As said, the shackle hanger could be twisted but if I were you I'd just replace those with a better set of gusseted ones, because with the longer shackles it puts more side torque load on them and the factory ones are junk if used offroad where they get a workout from uneven terrain.
Poly bushings will last longer and take more wear if you go off road. It won't be quite as soft on pavement on the turns but you probably wouldn't notice it much. And don't forget to lube them at installation for better movement and easier removal years later.

 

[Hitman1881]

Thanks for the advise... Can you recommend which shackle hangers to get and which bushing kit? Also do you think these shackles are ok or should they be replaced?
I don't have any pics of the rear but while I'm at it should I replace those bushings and hangers?
Also I am in a dilemma with do I lift with springs while I am doing this?

 

[Torxhead]

Word on the net is no more than a 4" shackle, which is still pretty long. The shackles don't really wear out except for elongating holes. For bushings, I like the collared poly type, which looks like is what you have. Use a silicone or moly lubricant on them and tighten up the bushing bolts just enough to snug them up. You are going to have to inspect the condition of the springs, if they are bent a little, its probably o.k. The spring shackle hangar has a history of breaking at the rivet clearance hole on the hangar. Hopefully that should straighten things up. To really see how the longer spring shackles move, get in 4wd in the dirt and go into a tight turn, then get out and inspect.

 

[PaRenegade]

I personally like the M.O.R.E. mounts. They make two, one std. and one stretched an 1" for converting to longer springs (some move the mount forward for wrangler springs). CrabtreeTool.com makes a great set of billet hangers but Jim had to raise his price I believe.
As for poly bushings, I don't think I've ever heard a complaint on any of them except for them only making red and black ones anymore. (BDS does make a blue one and OME a yellow) I've used Energy Suspension and Rancho ones before and noticed no real difference. Just make sure they're a 1" diameter bush and not a 1 1/4" dia. (unless it's a wrangler spring) I believe most bushing kits come as all four shackles, so yes, I'd do the rear ones as well.
Look for an engraved name (Con-Ferr) on the face of the shackle, if so I'd def. keep them, just clean and inspect. But they look pretty beefy like them so as long as the sides straighten out after you loosen those bolts, they should be good to re-use. Lube the bolts well and the surface thats against the shackle with lubrathane or similar, or even get greasable bolts (a cheap upgrade). And don't overtighten them, use a nylok nut at about 20-25 ftlb.

As for your dilemma.... it comes standard with any Jeep owner!

 

[Hitman1881]

What do you guys think of the daystar lubeable shackle bushings? Anyone use them? They are what I'm thinking I'm gonna but to replace my bushings. Also gonna replace my front hangers with the MORE hangers.
Daystar KJ02019BK - Daystar Front Greasable Shackle Bushing Kit for 76-86 Jeep® CJ - Quadratec

 

[PaRenegade]

I wouldn't have a problem using them, but I have no first hand experience with them. I did get Daystar body mounts though.
Once you have the old ones off you should be able to better evaluate your springs and whether they got twisted or not. The eyes should be parallel. I'm guessin' it's your mounts that are twisted and giving you the lean.

 

[HackFabrication]

The longer the shackle, the more pronounced any existing 'CJ Lean' will be. Here's the best pic I have of my CJ5 with 3/4" ConFer shackles. You can just see a 'slight' lean.



It appears the bushings that are installed, are for the OEM shackles. That would explain why the shackle ends are pinched inward. When ordering new bushings, be certain that they will fit aftermarket shackles. The Energy Suspension kit I used contained ones for OEM shackles, and they were too narrow. Gave them a call, and the first question they asked was: 'Do you have aftermarket shackles?'.

 

[Old Dog]

What do you guys think of the daystar lubeable shackle bushings? Anyone use them? They are what I'm thinking I'm gonna but to replace my bushings. Also gonna replace my front hangers with the MORE hangers.
Daystar KJ02019BK - Daystar Front Greasable Shackle Bushing Kit for 76-86 Jeep® CJ - Quadratec

I've used Daystar, they seem to hold up as good as any. I think they all use the same material to make them.
As Hack said be sure to get the ones for aftermarket shackles, they are different than stock.

 

[Hitman1881]

Hack... I ordered the day star bushings in the link I posted. As far as width I hope they work. I think I see what you mean , but I wonder if it is the case could I add washers on the outside of the bushings ? As a spacer? Hopefully they work.

 

[Old Dog]

If they are the right ones they will be flat where the meet the shackle
the ones for the stock shackles are dome shaped.

 

[Hitman1881]

Well the new shackle hangers, front and rear shacke bushings (greaseable) and greaseable main eye bushings showed up at my door. Guess I might as well get busy. Any advise or tricks to help make this go smooth?

 

[Torxhead]

Not getting the bushings too tight is the main thing, Just snug them up. Locktite would be good on those. They usually come with silicone grease, so use that. Make sure you can fill the lube zerks without any problems. Hope those old hangars come off without any issues, I am sure they came with new bolts. Most guys don't replace them until they break, which is usually on the trail. I for one would like to see a finished pic.

 

[Hitman1881]

I got the new front hangers on and the front bushings replaced. Only major issue was that one of the nuts on the passenger side that are welded in the frame broke loose. I had to metabo off the bolt and then I could reach my finger through the frame hole and drop the new bolt down from the top inside the frame with a lock washer on it, then i put a nut and lock washer on the bottom. I was able to tighten it and get it to catch by jamming a straight screw driver in the frame to kind of jam it up and hold the bolt head. Had to take the winch and bumper back of that I just put on a couple weeks ago so I could get to the power steering gear bracket bolts to loosen them.
So after it is all together the shackles still have a slight lean but while I was under there what it looks like to me is the rear main eye bushings are the original rubber ones and they are shot. so it looks to me like the spring is kind of tweeked out of wack in the back which is making the front kind of toe out. Does this make since to anyone but me?
I have the greaseable main eye bushings so that is my next step. But after the issue with the frame nut I thought might be good to stop for today and have at again tomorrow. time for a cold one.
I will get some after pics to post.

 

[Torxhead]

For your front spring shackle mount nut, there is a replacement nut that you can replace it with, I just can't recall where to find it. Maybe someone else knows what I am thinking of and will post it. I am suprised you are running 33s with stock springs. Having greasable main spring pivot bolts kinda suprises me since they have to be torqued down to around 100lbs I think it is.

 

[Hitman1881]

Torx... This is the main eye bushing kit I purchased. Not sure what the torque specs are I'll have to try and find them some where.
The bolt is rifle drilled and a zert is installed on the bolt head, it has a small hole drilled in the middle of the bolt for the grease to get out into the bushings. The bushings also have small flutes on the inside kind of looks like rifling in a gun barrel.
Daystar KJ02025BK - Daystar Greasable Maineye Bushings for 76-86 Jeep® CJ - Quadratec