Shackle Question

I made a deal on a 66 CD a couple weeks ago. It needs a lot of work, but it runs like a top. It is a tuxedo park mark IV with the dauntless.
I'm sure this subject has been beat to death, but...
The front shackles are trashed. The springs have been connected directly to the frame mounts. They are on my list to replace and I'm wondering whether to go greasable or non greasable.
I'm leaning greasable.
I have pictures, but can't post them until I can resize them

Thanks

 

CJ. I just love autocorrect

 

hmmm.... the springs will be fixed on spring hangers on one end and will have a shackle connected to the spring and shackle bracket on the other end. Not sure I understand what you're saying because I can't see it not having shackles. Maybe the front shackles are reversed?..which is to say somebody has put them on the rear eye of the front spring. Anyway, yeah need pictures.

As far as grease-able shackles. This will go both ways. Some people like them, some not. I have grease-able bolts on all three holes for each spring and like them. And I have old school Conferr shackles. You will have to drill out your shackle, spring hanger and shackle bracket holes because the grease-able bolts (at least the good ones) are like 9/16", which is larger than the stock bolts. You will also need suspension bushings to fit the larger bolts. Polyurethane is probably is easiest because you can drill it to fit.

Welcome to the madness from the high sierra

 

Are these the original springs? If so, they have pressed in bushings; outer metal sleeve, center is rubber, with an inner metal sleeve for the through bolt. The original springs have a groove on each leaf.
Are all your spring leafs the same arch, or do you have 3 or 4 arched, with 2 flat leafs? Some Tuxedo Parks came with 2-stage springs.
The original pressed-in bushings work fine and the bolts are not greasable.
-Donny

 

here are some photos of the mess I have. here are 5 springs in the pack. As far as I know they are stock.

 

spring pack

 

as others have said . the original bushing (outer shell) can be a bear to get out
I use these now
Energy Suspension Front or Rear Spring Bushings for 55-75 Jeep CJ

and you'll need 2 shackles each . front/rear

 

The original style of bushing is called "silent block" bearing. It's two concentric steel cylinders with rubber molded between. They work ok, but they aren't very durable. You can replace them with original type or polyurethane ("poly") bushings, which are arguably more durable but still wear out too fast. When you replace them you'll need to remove all remnants of the steel shell from the spring end before installing new ones. I hear a ball joint press works well for installation.

Omix has some greaseable replacement shackles that get good reviews. Note these will not be "silent" like the originals, and may make clunks (?) after they wear in.
OMIX-ADA 18270.16 HD Shackle Kit for 55-75 Jeep CJ Vehicles

There are also these Daystars which use a plastic material that can be greased. No experience with these.
Amazon.com: Daystar, Jeep Greasable Bolt and Bushing Kit Front or Rear, fits Jeep CJ, CJ2A, CJ3A, CJ3B, M38, M38A, MB and International Scout 1941 to 1975 4WD, KJ02018BK, Made in America: Automotive

 

I am confused as to what I see. The shackle hangers should be the same width as the springs - 1 3/4". It should not be possible to have the spring inside the shackle hanger. I am guessing that the other side of the hanger and the bushing tube have been removed. Unfortunately I think you need to replace the shackle mounts as well as the shackles.

 

Well how about that. Can't say I've ever seen that. Obviously it needs to be put back to work properly.

 

They do make some noise when they get a little worn and greasing them will quiet them right back down. I grease em before and after any wheeling. And at every oil change.

 

Lots of stuff worn out there.........and really it all looks to need some attention...........the level of what your going to do with the Jeep may very well apply to how much time and money you want to invest to make it all correct...............without shackles effectively you have no suspension as the shackle is an important part of the system to allow the spring to flex and cushion......

As Tim mentioned above I too like the #18270 shackles and have used them alot................are they maintenance free?.........No, but with a grease gun they will probably outlast any bushing as long as you give them a squirt on regular basis.............they are also unique to the point that being threaded with a castle nut for adjustment you can keep the proper preload on the spring and hanger that will eliminate body roll that comes along with any rubber bushings............I have an extra set of these if you decide to go that way and can't find them.

 

That's probably what I'm going to go with. First thing is getting the brakes working. It has ZERO right now, then shackles. It needs tons of other things fixed or replaced, but right now it's going to be my deer lease ride. I'll keep working on it a little at a time. Someday it will be road worthy again. This thing is like a drug. I think I'm addicted.

 

@twinsdad104 you didn't pick your tuxedo park from a guy in Rockwall, did you? Would love to see more pictures.

 

I traded one of my employees for it. He traded for it from another employee, who bought if from our Municipal Judge. I don't know where he got it but he had it for a good while. He used it on his Ranch. He told me that it didn't have any seats when he got it so He put a brand new pair of Humvee seats in it. They are really comfortable, but I need to either mod the wheelhouse or do the tilt steering swap, or both. I'm cursed with a belly that isn't compatible with a CJ5.
I'll add some more pictures when I can

 

This one was taken just before the wife got home...and proceeded to say some not very nice things because it's taking her spot in the carport

 

I have used greasable and non-greasable and i like the greasable ones better