I was checking out the front end on my '76 SII and I noticed that the front shackles aren't the same length. Measured from the frame down to the spring bolt, there is a .5" difference, with the driver side being the longer one. Is that normal?

Originally posted by Chas76SII
I was checking out the front end on my '76 SII and I noticed that the front shackles aren't the same length. Measured from the frame down to the spring bolt, there is a .5" difference, with the driver side being the longer one. Is that normal?

Sounds like the additional weight from the heavy driver has stretched the driver side shackle, eh? :) How about if someone tried to compensate for the lack of leveling spacer by using shackles.....

Spacer, sua on passenger side lowers passenger side.

Longer shackle sua on driver side raises driver. Same net effect. Springs won't be happy though.

Sheeiit! Guess the extra weight I gained from the wife being pregnant is starting to have it's effects...:flipoff2:

Well, the front fender well on the drivers side is actually LOWER by 1" than the passenger side. The drivers side rear well is lower by .75". Looks like I'll be needing the lift springs soon.

As for the spacer, there are 'spacers' on both sides. The one on the passenger side is just a flat piece at about .5" thick which is between the springs and the axle pad. The driver's side is thicker, at about .75", and has a cutout to form to the axle, but still increases the distance from the top of the springs to the axle by .25" more than the passenger side. If the spacer on the passenger side is supposed to level everything out, why is there a thicker one on the drivers side? Did some PO screw things up?

Wait a minute, the pad on the drivers side is needed to keep the axle located on the springs right? :rolleyes: