Did I Install These Aftermarket Rear Shackles Correctly
 

Since my original rear shackle eyes were no longer round I decided to just get whole new shackle assemblies...But they really do not look anything like that of the originals....I can't seem to figure out if I put them in correctly or if they are backwards...I tried both directions and it doesn't seem to change the angle at all.....This direction seem to give me more clearnace for the leafs below.....Does this look right?....

Here are after & before pics....The after pic is with the axle just hanging (no load) and the before pic is with the weight of the chassis on it...

Thanks Dan

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2wzS50GoNjQ/SR...s640/Date9.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_2wzS50GoNjQ/SP...ate9%20014.jpg

Re: Did I Install These Aftermarket Rear Shackles Correctly
 

That looks backwards to me.The open part should face the rear and the arc should roll forward.

Re: Did I Install These Aftermarket Rear Shackles Correctly
 

Well I decided to scrap these new aftermarket ones....they are garbage and very thin compared to the originals...

I'm gonna bring my old ones down to my work and see about getting the spring eye back to being perfectly round....then just install new bushings and re-use em!

Someone on here warned me about the aftermarket ones...and I didn't listen!

Dan

Re: Did I Install These Aftermarket Rear Shackles Correctly
 

I bought some from GM, and they look just like those. And i have been abusing them real good for 4 years and havent had a failure. I've broken alot of other things, but not the shackle.

Re: Did I Install These Aftermarket Rear Shackles Correctly
 

I work for a spun off division of GM that manufacturers stripped chassis for the commercial step-van and RV market. We still use those same exact spring hangers and shackles on our Workhorse W-series chassis today (previously known as the Chevrolet/GMC P-Chassis). Depending on the leaf spring pack, length, and type (multi-leaves vs. parabolic) we flip the shackles around one way or another. Often times during production the shackle gets flipped the wrong way for the spec’d spring type and guess what? We have found that it really doesn’t make an ounce of difference which way the shackle is mounted in 90% of the cases. However, it does cause interference issues on units with extremely large spring packs with long spring blades.

Below is a picture of a 2007 UPS truck with multi-leaves with the shackle pointed with the big opening to the rear of the spring pack. UPS can break an anvil but they have never bent or broke one of these Detroit Steel Products shackles. I have never had a problem with a stock DSP shackle on any of my junk either.

Re: Did I Install These Aftermarket Rear Shackles Correctly
 

Yeah,GM just changed the design/method of construction.As Larry said,it doesn`t really matter.On a 4wd taking suspension to extreme droop it will hit the hanger sooner if turned the way you showed.Also,turned that way mud will pack in there.The GM shackles cost less than $20 for the pair.
My wrecker has them turned like yours and everything else is the way I said,from a`71 to a`92.Same shackle.

Re: Did I Install These Aftermarket Rear Shackles Correctly
 

Here are my originals.. I think they are right but maybe not... I know my 1/2 ton springs look pretty scrawny compared to yours...

Re: Did I Install These Aftermarket Rear Shackles Correctly
 

On a related note...can anyone tell me which one these is correct for the rear leaf spring eyes......or will either design be sufficient?

(1970 K-10)
My originals looked like this:
http://www.classicparts.com/images/74-083.JPG

My parts supplier sent me these:
http://www.classicparts.com/images/74-084.JPG

Thanks, Dan

Re: Did I Install These Aftermarket Rear Shackles Correctly
 

I used the energy suspension poly bushings... didn't look like either of those