rear shackle question

[Cpt.Fred]

i've been browsing the tech section and as always, i've learned a lot!

but one question remains:

can anyone tell me the original position of the rear shackles on my P-10?

mine look like this now (before the lowering):

the problem is that on the driver's side the shackle hits the rear side of the frame, but only there.

a friend of mine told me maybe the shackle would be mounted upside down,

but i don't think it's possible to do that here. it is possible on fords, i've seen it there, but here the shackle is bolted directly to the frame, right?

i've seen that don coatney had the same problem in an older thread here from 2007, but i couldn't really figure out how they're supposed to be installed.

can anyone shed some light on this dark area in my technical knowlege?

the best would be a photo of a correctly installed shackle under load, i mean without the jackstands.

my shackles lean backward and the turning point on the frame is above the spring.

thanks!

Edited May 24, 2010 by Cpt.Fred

[Plymouthy Adams]

I cannot open the picture here..but if your one side is more collasped than the other odds are the axle is going to be thrown out of alignment. The shackle should never really bottom out (unless overloaded) and there is slight angle to the rear of the lowest portion of the shackle. The shackle need this space adn slight rake to the rear to permit rtrvel in uspension/load conditions andprovide total driveability. I am thinking your springs are flattened out with the left side being weaker than the right. I believe I have about 2 inches between the lower frame rail and the eye of my spring at the rear on my cars. You may need to get new springs/re-curved to correct this issue..building a set of shackles a bit longer will only promote the breakdown of the metal and cause further fatigue at an accelerated rate.... you could worn bushings in the upper frame/shackle holes adding to this loss of space but even at that..should only be about 3/8 inches less than stock unless you have accelerated wear to the frame eye..

Edited May 24, 2010 by Tim Adams