Shackle not strait up and down

[asfaultdemon]

Has anyone ever noticed that alot of cj's have the crooked shackle syndrom? My passengerside shackle is way crooked. It has all new bushings (energy susp. poly bushings) but still crooked. I also welded all the shackle to frame mounts to the frame . Yes i took al the springs off and make sure they were strait and true to the frame then welded them . Only one i couldnt was the driver front as the steering mount is a bully mount and it uses that area so i tacked the mount on that corner and used new bolts in it . But low and behold shackle is still crooked. I also built a set of new shackles for it out of 1/2'' plate so i know the shackle is true . Im a skilled welder and i do know for sure than my shackles are true . The other thing is my AMC20 is out of a 77 cj and my cj is a 81 so does anyone know if there is a width difference between a CJ7 and CJ5 maybe they used a CJ7 rear and thats whats up . Any ideas will help i know our 77 CJ5 has got the same problem with the driver side shackle and we have had it since it was new in 77 so we know it has not been thrashed on or changed up .Oh and both are factory v8 jeeps . Ill post some mudding pics of my jeep here soon

 

[mylittlecj5]

The way I understand it, and from my own personal experience, Jeep's quality control wasn't real good back then. I have seen CJs with shackles and/or brackets as far as 1/4" out of line with each other. And that is factory stuff...

 

[asfaultdemon]

Yeah iv noticed that to . Im trying to get it all in order so it drives nice and still wheels. If i tighten the shackles down really tight they will stay strait and it dont wonder so bad but it rides like s**t on the pav. here are some mudding pics that have nothing to do with my shackle problem but somthing to look at for fun . I surly wont be going in the clay mud again LOL 3 days of washing and iv still got mud chunks One pic is of my brand new brakes just installed a couple days before the mud new everything from the backing plate out and look at that mess

 

[BusaDave9]

Not strait up and down. How so?
If you view them from the front or back and they aren't up and down then I would look at getting new bushings.
If you are viewing the shackles from the side then the springs might be sagging. The shackle is almost vertical when the springs are new and the jeep is on level ground.
It also sounds like the shackles themselves might be bent. they have good aftermarket shackles that are heavy duty.

P.S. Nice pics. I've never seen a pickup with solid wheels like your picture. (except maybe on the Flintstones)

 

[asfaultdemon]

My jeep has new shackles and new bushings all poly (energy susp.) . The shackle is not strait looking from the front . And if a shackle is strait up and down from the side veiw the spring is to short or the shackle to frame mount is way off they should never be strait up and down looking from the side they awlays should lean away from the axle at the spring end . If not they will not give and could fold back and lock against the frame when the axle pulls the spring down. I know alot about how they work and why they need to placed correctly but i cant get mine to not lean toward the passenger side at the spring end . Ill figure it out tho i always do

 

[Petescj]

Narrow trac axles are narrow trac axles. The width never changed from 76-81. Anything earlier than that wouldnt be a AMC20 . Cj-5s had them throughout their run till the end of production in 83. Cj-7s had them from 76-81. I think youd be better served taking some pics to show your shackle debacle.

 

[Buuushman]

I have the same issue with my 77' C.J.-5, passenger side spring hanger is pointed outward @ 1\4"- Jeep still tracks straight and there is no odd tire wear so I left it. We'll see what happens when I do my spring swap.

Bush

 

[Sasquach]

Is it possible the axle is not positioned perfectly on the spring? I can't remember how much movement is in the spring pack pin to axle perch and it would only need to be off an 1/8" to make it off 1/4" at the shackle if my thinking is sound.
Let me know if I need to get more sleep tonight.

 

[Old Dog]

My guess would be that the spring perch is not welded directly under the spring.
The factory welder was a little off that day. It seems the people who worked for AMC back than weren't to good with a tape measure.

 

[73CJ]

A twisted spring pack could be the culprit. I've done that several times and then she's crooked. New springs and it's good as new.

 

[MN CJ7]

I have a crooked front shackle on the front toooo. HD stock length shackles, poly bushings, and grease zerks. Drives great but still one is crooked. I also think after use and time crooked shackle mounts will wear the bushing faster.

I have asked in the past and read often / lots about it too. The rear spring perch can get tweeked by a rock, off road bang, or a poor hook up or even tightened too much . I looked very closely at my rear perch and it is bent a bit. Take a look from under jeep and the side and I think many of you will find you rear spring perch is tweeked / bent a bit.

Take the spring bolt & bushhing out and with a large crescent wrench should be able to put the perch back to square. Tighten the rear perch too much can also cause the spring perch to collaspe / squish and bend some. A big hammer might be usefull too.

Becareful not to over toque the rear mount, it will bend it again. Also the front shackles should not be that tight so they are free to swing and allow the springs to flex and elongate.

I have not fixed my rear perch... but this should work for many of us.

Hope that helps,