Quick question,

My shackles are getting alot of twisting action and destroying my shackle and spring bushings extreamly fast. I was thinking about running a pan hard rod to keep the axle from moving when Im turning (this is when the shackles twist the most)

Has anybody done this? Any pics? Any other ideas to keep the shackles from twisting so bad?

Thanks,

Yogi

go to a cross-braced shackle and you will fix the problem with a lot less work.

Originally posted by DRM
go to a cross-braced shackle and you will fix the problem with a lot less work.

Ditto, but remember that the support also prohibits the shackle from twisting witht he spring at full flex. I know it's not a huge factor but it's still a factor. Anyway, also consider adding a center support for your shackle that is removable when you hit the trail. Just my $.02

Originally posted by DRM
go to a cross-braced shackle and you will fix the problem with a lot less work.

My shackle does have a cross brace in it already... the flex is coming at the shackle frame bushings... and it destroys the bushing really fast... That is why I am thinking about gonig with a panhard. I know that stock superdutys have then with their leaf spring setup. I just want to know what to lookout for and what mistakes to avoid when I make one.

Yogi

Originally posted by yogiaz


My shackle does have a cross brace in it already... the flex is coming at the shackle frame bushings... and it destroys the bushing really fast... That is why I am thinking about gonig with a panhard. I know that stock superdutys have then with their leaf spring setup. I just want to know what to lookout for and what mistakes to avoid when I make one.

Yogi

If that is the case, you have something seriously wrong with your suspension...

Can you get us pics?

Originally posted by yogiaz


My shackle does have a cross brace in it already... the flex is coming at the shackle frame bushings... and it destroys the bushing really fast... That is why I am thinking about gonig with a panhard. I know that stock superdutys have then with their leaf spring setup. I just want to know what to lookout for and what mistakes to avoid when I make one.

Yogi

I agree again with DRM (damn me! that's twice in one thread :eek: ). Send pics. And FYI, YJ's have used them for their rear leaf spring set-up's . Snag one off the Yj and fab it up for your application. :D

http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota/images/T_susp_03.JPG

http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota/buggy_leaf_&_track_bar.htm




You can do it, but I still say you need to fix the issues you have before you mess with this....

Originally posted by yogiaz


My shackle does have a cross brace in it already... the flex is coming at the shackle frame bushings... and it destroys the bushing really fast... That is why I am thinking about gonig with a panhard. I know that stock superdutys have then with their leaf spring setup. I just want to know what to lookout for and what mistakes to avoid when I make one.

Yogi

Here are some pics to how my shackles are setup. I would not say that anything is wrong... I think the extra twist is coming from the long shackles that I used.

My question is... if I mount up a panhard... will it fight against my leaf springs when Im out on the trail flexing?


http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/brussels_lace/vwp?.dir=/Axle+Swap&.src=ph&.dnm=side06.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/brussels_lace/lst%3f%26.dir=/Axle%2bSwap%26.src=ph%26.view=t

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/brussels_lace/vwp?.dir=/Axle+Swap&.src=ph&.dnm=under02.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/brussels_lace/lst%3f%26.dir=/Axle%2bSwap%26.src=ph%26.view=t

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/brussels_lace/vwp?.dir=/Axle+Swap&.src=ph&.dnm=ShockHoop01.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/brussels_lace/lst%3f%26.dir=/Axle%2bSwap%26.src=ph%26.view=t

Loaded them to my server to in-thread viewing :)

http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota/images/other/under02.jpg

http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota/images/other/side06.jpg

http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota/images/other/ShockHoop01.jpg

Originally posted by DRM
Loaded them to my server to in-thread viewing :)


Thanks,

They are actually pictures of my friends truck that I did a swap for. My shackles, shackle angle, leafs, pretty much everything is exactley the same.

So what are your thoughts? Is there any drawback to a panhard rod?

Yogi

The panhard will end up binding - hos much is hard to say.

I still don't see why you need it though.. there is no reason you should be tearing up busings with that setup...

Doh! all this time I thought it was your rear we were talking about? Sorry. Now i will start thinking again.:D

Originally posted by DRM
The panhard will end up binding - hos much is hard to say.

I still don't see why you need it though.. there is no reason you should be tearing up busings with that setup...

The only thing that I can think of is the shackle frame bushings. They are the greasable kind that have splines running through them. Should I try replacing them with normal poly bushings?

Yogi

SO the shackle is binding on the upper eye mount on the frame, and tearing up the bushing there, correct?

It simply should not do this if you have everything welded in place and lined up right when at rest.

Originally posted by DRM
SO the shackle is binding on the upper eye mount on the frame, and tearing up the bushing there, correct?

It simply should not do this if you have everything welded in place and lined up right when at rest.

Correct.. that is where its twising. I see the shackles twist on alot of other leaf spring vehicles when turing the wheel back and forth while at a stop. But mine seem to do it a little bit more. But I am running longer shackles than any other persont hat I know running sold axle.

When the bushings are new there is hardly any flex... but the seem to wear out really fast. I think I will try a different bushing first instead of the greasable kind.

Yogi

How long are your front shackles?
Jay