Rear Shackle Bushing - Can it be Replaced? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Rack Man · 10-19-2008, 08:52 PM

Can I indeed replace the rear shackle bushing on the shackle asssembly itself or do I replace the entire assembly?

There doesn't seem to be any way to fit a new one in there (even if I got the old one out) as it is not a perfect circle.....

Btw, this is for a stock 70 K10 w/GM 12 bolt

Dan

**Yukon Jack** · 10-20-2008, 11:21 AM

I put all new greasable bushings on my 69 K20 when I originally lifted it. I bought all my greasable bushings from www.offroaddesign.com

Replacing the shackle bushings is a bit of a chore! There is a metal sleeve that must come out and it tends to be seized pretty tight. I got mine out by using a drill bit to drill numerous holes around the rubber pushing - some use a torch. Then I used a v-chisel bit and my air hammer to knock/cut the metal sleeve out. Pretty time intensive for me, but that might be partly related my air hammer being a cheap piece of junk.

Though it doesn't really show much, here's a pic of the stock shackle with the new greasable bushings.

71 super · 10-20-2008, 05:06 PM

Or you could buy a new shackle from GM for $20 a side and that comes with new bushing installed already, all you need to add is paint

I bought two from Classic Muscle in Winston-Salem NC , they are GM pieces. It beats pounding on the originals and my shakles were rust/shot anyway. I used the torch method to remove all the other bushings in the truck before it went to the blaster and the method works very well.

Rack Man · 10-20-2008, 06:04 PM

Thanks...I think I will just replace the whole assembly....if It's only $20.....

I removed all the other bushings by simply wedging a flathead screwdriver in the little opening at the end of the spring eye....then tapped the bushing out with easy....it has so much tension that it springs back as soon as you remove the screwdriver!

Dan

OLDCHEV4X4 · 10-20-2008, 08:00 PM

The new shackle's dont look like the old ones. So if you want it to look original, you 'll have to fix the old ones.

hdflstf · 10-20-2008, 08:17 PM

Hydraulic press - push the sleeve out... From there it's not too hard.

Rack Man · 10-20-2008, 10:39 PM

My problem is that the shackle eye is no longer perfectly round...so I don't know how I would be able to get the new bushing in??

I would like to use the originals though.....maybe a press would be able to deform the new bushing just enough to get her in?

Dan

67mater · 10-22-2008, 01:20 PM

I've tried the oress, but they make a huge C-clamp type deal made for pressing out bushings. There are steel cups that go on one side, then you run the clamp down with an impact and it presses the bushing right out; easiest I've found.

10-19-2008, 08:52 PM	#1
Rack Man Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 770	Rear Shackle Bushing - Can it be Replaced? Can I indeed replace the rear shackle bushing on the shackle asssembly itself or do I replace the entire assembly? There doesn't seem to be any way to fit a new one in there (even if I got the old one out) as it is not a perfect circle..... Btw, this is for a stock 70 K10 w/GM 12 bolt Dan

10-20-2008, 11:21 AM	#2
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,689	Re: Rear Shackle Bushing - Can it be Replaced? I put all new greasable bushings on my 69 K20 when I originally lifted it. I bought all my greasable bushings from www.offroaddesign.com Replacing the shackle bushings is a bit of a chore! There is a metal sleeve that must come out and it tends to be seized pretty tight. I got mine out by using a drill bit to drill numerous holes around the rubber pushing - some use a torch. Then I used a v-chisel bit and my air hammer to knock/cut the metal sleeve out. Pretty time intensive for me, but that might be partly related my air hammer being a cheap piece of junk. Though it doesn't really show much, here's a pic of the stock shackle with the new greasable bushings. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 Last edited by Yukon Jack; 10-20-2008 at 11:33 AM.

10-20-2008, 05:06 PM	#3
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,080	Re: Rear Shackle Bushing - Can it be Replaced? Or you could buy a new shackle from GM for $20 a side and that comes with new bushing installed already, all you need to add is paint I bought two from Classic Muscle in Winston-Salem NC , they are GM pieces. It beats pounding on the originals and my shakles were rust/shot anyway. I used the torch method to remove all the other bushings in the truck before it went to the blaster and the method works very well. __________________ 67 blue step side- bb 68 gold and white swb cst anniversary 68 custom swb hot rod Ls swap 69 swb cst 6 cylinder/ overdrive 69 black/black cst bb swb 70 orange and white cst Canada built truck swb bb 71 black and white super swb bb 71 red and white super swb 72 green and white super swb 4x4 62 nova wagon 400 series Ls swapped 68 Camaro 327/4 speed- 1 owner, original paint 66 Volkswagen bettle 69 auto stick Volkswagen Beetle

10-20-2008, 06:04 PM	#4
Rack Man Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 770	Re: Rear Shackle Bushing - Can it be Replaced? Thanks...I think I will just replace the whole assembly....if It's only $20..... I removed all the other bushings by simply wedging a flathead screwdriver in the little opening at the end of the spring eye....then tapped the bushing out with easy....it has so much tension that it springs back as soon as you remove the screwdriver! Dan

10-20-2008, 08:00 PM	#5
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: Rear Shackle Bushing - Can it be Replaced? The new shackle's dont look like the old ones. So if you want it to look original, you 'll have to fix the old ones. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

10-20-2008, 08:17 PM	#6
hdflstf Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Desert Southwest Posts: 540	Re: Rear Shackle Bushing - Can it be Replaced? Hydraulic press - push the sleeve out... From there it's not too hard.

10-20-2008, 10:39 PM	#7
Rack Man Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 770	Re: Rear Shackle Bushing - Can it be Replaced? My problem is that the shackle eye is no longer perfectly round...so I don't know how I would be able to get the new bushing in?? I would like to use the originals though.....maybe a press would be able to deform the new bushing just enough to get her in? Dan

10-22-2008, 01:20 PM	#8
67mater Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mundelein, IL Posts: 862	Re: Rear Shackle Bushing - Can it be Replaced? I've tried the oress, but they make a huge C-clamp type deal made for pressing out bushings. There are steel cups that go on one side, then you run the clamp down with an impact and it presses the bushing right out; easiest I've found. __________________ time is inversely proportional to money; that's why it takes me so long 1967 K10 1967 Camaro



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