6 years ago I posted the failure of my rear spring shackle. The photo became the "poster boy" for this style and it's problems. Several others mentioned their disappointments with them. I didn't want to be the complaining customer and have reported that even though I had bought some of the better shackles the 3 remaining shackles were in place and working. This weekend I finally got around to replacing the rears. While the remaining rear shackle was doing it's job it had worn the hole in one side larger and oval.
Part of my procrastination was that I was avoiding having to spread the spring. I decided to make a spring spreader out of some old pipe. I found some 1" (1.315 O. D.) and some 1/2" (.84 O. D.) and slid one inside the other. One heavy wall pipe would be better but this is what I had. The one inch had been a u-shaped hoover wagon tongue for a Model T chassis. I thought that appropriate but on bending it where a hole had been drilled it cracked and seemed like it was cast iron or something brittle. I thought a patch brazed there might give it strength.
This is the part of the story where I ask for sympathy of forgiveness for stupidity. Grinding the patch piece I let the bench grinder grab it and sucked my finger in with it. It only took part of the nail and a couple layers of skin but was a warning to be more careful and made the rest of the work awkward with 3 layers of bandage to keep the dirt out.
At any rate the spreader did work to some degree but needs some refining. The 1/2" threaded rods in each end were not long enough and cocked to an angle. I used some wood wedges under each spring eye. The cotter pins in the nuts behind were merciless to get out. These shackles are best installed before the read end assembly is put under the car.
I found the loose shackle bolt was greasy but the other had lots of red rust on it and in it's bushing. Further more a piece of felt was still in one oiler. I had thought this was a good idea to keep the oil from running though too fast but evidently it caked and wasn't letting much oil through at all. Shown is a hooked tool to remove the felt. This very well may be what led to the failure 6 years ago. If the shackle bolt seized in the bushing and the link rode on the serrated part it sawed it's way through. If so I need to take responsibility for the failure rather than blaming the design.
Before the day ended the new shackles were in place. Between the heat and shaky old man I have become it was a trial. But another item I can cross off my list. Getting the job completed always makes it worth while.
