Rear Spring Shackle Removal

fliptop
fliptop Member
edited January 2015 in Street Rods
All, I am having little luck in removing the upper spring shackles on my 53 Hornet. I have tried using penetrating oil, a 20 " breaking bar, a air impact wrench and heating the unit with a torch. No luck so far. Anyone have a solution to this problem?

John 

Comments

  • russmaas
    russmaas Senior Contributor
    Upper left is left handed thread, might be one reason
  • DavidC
    DavidC Senior Contributor
    At the risk of great peril to my reputation, I contend that the reverse thread is the lower or spring end of the left shackle. My contention is based upon my notes of spring removal and confirmed in Walt's tips vol 1. The upper left and the right shackle bolts are all standard thread.

    I am not sure why you are having such difficulty, but you're on the right path. The 'bolts' are more like loosely threaded barrels hollowed out to contain the grease. They screw over solid threaded studs on the ends of the shackles. Grease seals are installed on the outer (fender side ) ends of the bolts. Your best bet to get penetrating oil in there is squirting it under these seals. Heat will likely destroy these seals but replacements are available from WRP. I don't think heat can hurt anything else.
    in there.

    The best penetrating oil I've bought is the new WD 40 Specialist Rust Release Penetrant Spray. A good home brew is 50:50 acetone and tranny fluid mixture. Get a generous amount in under the rubber donuts and let it sit. Next day give a little heat and then blast again with penetrating oil. Then try wrenching them off. I did not need air tools, and I hope this will work for you.
    Dave
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Have you tried turning it the other way???
  • fliptop
    fliptop Member
    edited January 2015
    My Hudson factory manual confirms that the left hand thread is indeed on the lower left hand shackle bushing and it also has the factory 1/16" wide ID grove on the head. I have been using the WD-40 and plan to switch to the commercial grade PB Blaster.

    John
  • DavidC
    DavidC Senior Contributor
    OK good luck John. It will happen
    Dave
  • fliptop
    fliptop Member
    All, the PB Blaster and a half hour under the torch did it both shackles are out. Thanks for the support.

    John
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