Front shackle install

[domf24]

I have a 1952 B3C truck that I am trying to fix some of my worn out front end parts. Does anyone know if there should be a bushing or rubber inside of the leaf spring ends? Nothing came out when I removed the old one, but the new shackle seems a little loose when installed and tightened. I know the front of the leaf spring has a bushing, but this is on the rear of the front leaf spring. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

Dom

[billrigsby]

Been way back in the 90's when I re-did mine, and they looked much worse than yours,

and don't remember a bushing.

 

This is from the parts book;

 

 

 

Seems only the larger trucks had a bushing.

From the Service Manual;

 

[domf24]

Thanks for the information. I have read some other posts on here where people commented that their shackles were hard to get in, so i thought maybe I was missing something since mine seemed a little loose when installed. Yea the first one was the better of the two, this homemade one was on the other side. I just figured I would change them all since I have it apart to do the king pins.

 

Thanks again,

Dom

[48Dodger]

Those are the bushing.

 

It looks like you have already bought new bushings....the wear from the original bushings has transferred to the leaf spring, in my estimation.

If I was to guess, I would say you need a bushing pressed into the leaf spring.....just a guess. It really depends on how much play we're talking about.

The rear front spring carry a lion share of the load IMO. 

 

Would like to hear what Dodgeb4ya has to say.

 

48D  

[Dodgeb4ya]

The threaded bushings needs to thread tight into the spring eyes.

If the bushing seizes to the shackle from lack of grease the outer bushing threads will rotate a bit back and forth enlarging the spring eye.

The fix....off to the spring shop for resizing the eyes or complete rebuilding of the springs.

That's my thought on this subject?

[48Dodger]

I'll take it!!

48D

[Tooljunkie]

I had new springs made, built shackles and now its all rubber. I had the eyes rolled below spring instead above, so i gained 1-1/2” of drop. 
a big task, and quite pricey after it was all done. At that point in time i had access to a diplomat cross member, but was hesitant take the leap. 

[domf24]

48Dodger,

Yes I bought new shackles with bushings, but since they fit loose, I thought maybe I was missing something.

 

Dodgeb4ya,

I think you are right on, with the lack of lube, the bushings were rotating in the spring eyes and opened them up some. The bushings don't just fall into the spring eyes, but when I tighten them up they they still have some play in them. Since I am not doing a restoration, and it wont be driven much, I will have to decide if I should rework/ replace the leaf spring, or just live with it.

 

Thanks again, you guys have been very helpful,

Dom