I have installed the JLP Shackles on my 04. I had the shop that installed my trac bars flip the factory shims. Right thing to do? I have no vibrations. I hear this clunking sound coming from the back of ym truck. Already did a search. Checked the usual clunk and there was no movements up front. It is always there when I am mving over bumps or turning and giving it gas. ld the sound me my U-joints? I tried to trun the DS while not started and it wouldnt move. Anysuggestions would be appreciated

 

A clunk over bumps is not usually the u-joints. If you just did shackles on the 04, you may not need the shim at all. When I did my 03, I also removed a leaf from the spring pack. Between the drop from taking the leaf out and the shackles, I had to flip the shim and the pinion angle is great.

I'd go looking for a loose shock, loose spare or loose u-bolts as the source of your noise, not the u-joints.

 

isnt the clunk probably from the traction bars?

 

I just had some Belltech 2" shackles put on my '04 yesterday (thanks to camcojb!!) and we didn't flip, adjust, or remove the shims. So far, no vibration or odd noises. But this may be because I went with the 2" shackles, which probably only got me about an 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" drop in the rear (but I like it!!).

 

If my pinion angle is off and I have the FTVB will the shifting with a wrong pinion angle hurt the u-joints or ds?

 

FTVB really won't make much diff as far as your pinion angle goes. If you are having vibrations though, you will go through a u-joint ASAP.

 

I just had Belltech 2" shackles installed in my '03 and I don't think I have any vibration. How does it manifest it self. Noise, vibration in the steering wheel?

Bill

 

I too installed the JLP 3" drop and I have not had any clunk issues. I would first get under there and carefully look at every bolt, nut, etc. that you guys touched during the install.

It might be possible that the rear sway bar is making your clunk. Look carefully along the entire length of the bar to see if there is a clearance problem aroung the differential, brackets, etc.

Anyway, after you installed the shackles the sway bar is not aligned as it was before hand.

Here's a pic of the alignment after the drop:




This is how it looked after I relocated the mounting point on the frame:



I know plenty of folks have added the shackles and didn't have a problem but it seems there are lots of variations in how things go.

Just something else to consider...

 

I have the two inch drop and long traction bars.

I get some clunking once in a while, but in my case its the exhaust pipe touching the traction bar, no big deal.

 

I finally got around ro measuring it with the gauge Ryan Allen suggested. Thanks for the help with that Ryan. The angle between the tranny and ds is 0 degrees. and the angle between the ds and rearend was about 5.5 degrees. Does this sound right? I couldnt really see the gauge that well, the trac bars hindered me from getting under there so these are the angles plus or minus .1 of a degree. Also, the vibration came back so I think the pinion angle is off. Please let me know if these angles seem right.
Thanks,
Simon

 

I believe the angle should be 3-4* negative. I have an 03 and from reading many post from a handfull of folks, that is what I gathered. Some have simply rotated the shim 180* and some have completely taken the shim out.

 

I rotated mine, so should I remove them?

 

If you are with in 3 -4* negative on your angle finder, than you should be good, granted, I am no expert on this, I have installed shackles on my 03 and developed som vibration and returned to stock, this time around, i am going to measure before and after to ensure I am at the same or close to the same angle.

 

ttt

 

I finally got around ro measuring it with the gauge Ryan Allen suggested. Thanks for the help with that Ryan. The angle between the tranny and ds is 0 degrees. and the angle between the ds and rearend was about 5.5 degrees. Does this sound right? I couldnt really see the gauge that well, the trac bars hindered me from getting under there so these are the angles plus or minus .1 of a degree. Also, the vibration came back so I think the pinion angle is off. Please let me know if these angles seem right.
Thanks,
Simon