I am getting ready to purchase, and hopefully install, some new suspension components and I was wondering if I could get some advice. I have done suspension work on cars before, but never trucks and I want to minimize the number of surprises I run across. I am going to be putting on a set of Eibach lowering shackles (2" drop) in back, and some new Bilsteins. Up front, I am going with Eibach coils (about 1.5" drop) and Bilsteins as well. How do you install these shackles? I am really confused with the terminology... What is a shackle vs. a hanger? I have seen both used in different ways. Which is easier to install? As far as up front, does the truck need to be lifted to remove the shocks and springs? Any help or additional advice/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Good question, I was just about to pose a similar one. Hope you don't mind if I jump on your thread for some answers as well. I too would like to install 2" lowering shackles on the rear of my Screw. My question is: How do you know when the tension is released from the springs so that you can get the bolts out without breaking a finger or denting your bed when the leaf spring lets loose? I would hate to spend a lot of money on an installation I should be able to do myself. I assume you would use a floor jack and lift from the frame or trailer hitch so that the axle is suspended enough to relax the leafspring.

Any tips?

 

I just replaced a shackle last month that i broke offroading.

What you need to do is:

1) Jack the truck up on the frame.

2) When the rear wheels start to leave the ground lower the jack about 1 inch. and put some jack stands under there.

3) You might want to place a jack under the pumpkin so that it is just barely supporting it. THis way when you unbolt the shackles the axle doesn't tip forward or backward, it just makes it easier when you go to put it back together.

4) Unbolt the old shackles and bolt on the new ones.

If your springs are stock it should be pretty easy. If you have add-a-leafs from a lift kit they give the spring pack a greater curve. I had to hang off the end of the spring to bend it into location while someone else slid the bolt in.

I actually had one problem with mine. When i took the nut off off the spring shackle bolt, i couldn't get the bolt out of the shackle. It just kept spinning around in the rubber bushing, it wouldn't even hammer out. I ended up torching it and replacing the bolt.

Jacap: I always thought that a shackle and a hanger were the same thing. But i could be wrong they keep making these new suspensions more complicated. They may also be referring to the shackle frame braket?? If you go to the service dept. at a ford dealer they can give you a print out with a drawing and list of your trucks suspension parts.

To replace shocks you don't need to lift the vehicle. You do have to jack it up to replace the springs though. You have a newer truck with the control arms upfront right? I am not sure how easy it is to replace the front springs on your truck. Some vehicles you need a spring compressor other vehicles you can just slide them in. Maybe some one else hear knows the answer.

-Jon

 

I do have springs up front with the upper and lower control arm set-up. I think it might be easier to take them out if I tighten the spring compressors while it is on the ground and then jack it up so the suspension drops while the springs remain compressed. That whole hanger/shackle thing is really confusing me, though. Eibach has (2) different parts - one is the hanger, and one is the shackle (as they describe it, at least) and I have no friggin idea which is which... I am planning on calling their tech number to see if I can get some install instructions, or at least a clarification. I do know that the hangers will give a 3" drop, while the shackles only give about 2" so they must be a different piece. Thanks again for the info.

Jason