A little Shackle help.

[Silverbullet555]

I am working on replacing the shackle bushings on an 84 Runner. I am having serious trouble getting the shackles off and from what I can see, it appears there is some degradation of the upper shackle bolt. These are stock Toyota Shackles so they have been on the truck for 20 years or so.

I have jacked the frame up to relieve pressure off of the suspension, but I cannot get the lower pin to budge out of the spring.

Is there a trick to getting these off. If I can't get these off, I might cut them off and just get new shackles.

Thoughts?

[Pietro]

probably need to get new hardware and bushings. it isn't uncommon to have the bolts seize to the bushings on yota's that are 3 years old. bust out the torch and cut away. have a fire extinguisher handy and wear eye protection, burning bushings can explode

[Silverbullet555]

No torch so I'll have to use a sawzall to cut the shackle apart and then use a puller to force the bushing out.

I'll guess I'll be placing an order tomorrow for new shackles.

[Silverbullet555]

The spring eye bolt on the front of the rear leaf is providing the same problem. Soaked it with PB Blaster. Hopefully, it will be coorporative tomorrow.

[KansasJoe]

for the shackles if the nuts are on outside i would try to get something to heat the nut with and then airhammer the bolts out (once nut is off put it back on a couple turns before airhammering so you don't mess up threads) ...if nuts on inside same thing heat them up and then airhammer on the shackle itself (probably have to replace shackle after this)....for the front most of the 80's toyota have a cup on the bolt with a little 8 mm bolt holding the cup in...if so these hardly ever come out....your best bet again is to try to airhammer or big sledge and if that doesn't work and you have to burn it out then i would place a shovel above the bushing so the flame doesn't get out of control and pietro is right those things can explode so be careful and have a fire extinguisher or a lot of water on hand...(always try to avoid burning bushings while still on vehicle)

[Silverbullet555]

Got the shackle off by cutting it apart and using a couple different tools to puch out the pin. They were in bad shape so I don't feel bad replacing them. Now I am having fun with the passenger side spring eye bolt on rear spring. Gas tank is right there so I am not too thrilled about using heat to try and loosen things up.

[jackedupjimmy]

the best way i have found to get shzckle bolts and others out is to use a impact ont the bolt end and a hammer on the other end use a partner one works the impact the other hits with hammer

[Silverbullet555]

Unfortunately, I do not have any air tools or compressor as of yet. It is on the list, but behind a few other things including getting moved into a new house.

The shackles are completely off and new ones will be at the local shop on Wednseday so I can get those replaced.

I had no luck getting the front spring eye bolt off. It is frozen to the sleeve. I am a little weary using a torch to heat the bolt on the passenger side as the gas tank is right there. I might try to cut both sides of the bolt as new ones are in order anyway.

Any tips on what to use to cut those bolts other than a torch?

[KansasJoe]

If you're getting new shackles anyways i would just cut through the shackle itself and then the springs will be out and you can heat the nuts or bushings without worry. This will also relieve the tension on the upper bolt in the shackle and should make it easier to come out. If the head is on the outside see if the whole bolt will spin and if so then if the gas tank is in the way push the nut side (nut off) with a wrench or something while spinning the bolt...if that doesn't work put a shovel between the gas tank and shackle, cut the head off and then hammer it out with a bolt or rolling bar (whatever is available)....lol, if that doesn't work then your only option left is to have fire extiguisher ready and burn the bushings out and then the bolt will release because it's probably just rusted to the inner sleeve of RB bushing.

[Silverbullet555]

The bolt will spin in the spring eye bushing. The bolt is frozen to the sleeve and that is preventing it from coming out.

If I were to burn the bushing out, what should I be aware of?

[KansasJoe]

Once the bushing actually catches fire throughout the whole thing the flame is going to be pretty high...only thing you can do is put something between the flame and anything you don't want to get hot...ie gas tank, floorboard, brake lines....i always use a shovel...be sure to keep fire extinguisher or a bucket of water around

[sceep]

exploding bushings?? i've NEVER heard of this. someone expand on it a bit.

I've burned out 100's of bushings and never even though about "i wonder if this is going to explode"

[Silverbullet555]

What kind of time frame does it take for the bushing to burn out?

[KansasJoe]

around 2-4 mins and as far as exploding bushings they won't do it while they're actually in the vehicle but if you have the springs out because of the pressure i've had them fly out and hit the other side of the shop....not very common just never stand directly in front or behind the bushing....oh yeah and wear some old clothes because if you get that burnt rubber on them it won't come out and if you get it on your skin the only way to get it off is with carb cleaner (stings but it works)....you can get it off with something else but it takes a long, long, long time.

[puma]

Get a big hammer and someone who can swing it for the frame bolts, and cut the bottom ones off, dont know how your going to get the bolt out of the spring.

[Silverbullet555]

Got the rear shackles all apart. After cutting the shackles in half, I used a puller in reverse to puch the bolt and half shackle out of the spring. Used a bearing seperator on one end to attach the puller to and cranked it down pushing the bolt out.

My plan on the spring eye bolts is to use a cutoff wheel on a 41/2" angle grinder to cut each end off. Once I do that, the spring will come out and I can use the same method to push the bushing out. New parts should be in tomorrow so I can put it all back together on Thursday, hopefully!