Help with leaf spring problem
#1
10-08-2013
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Raynham, MA
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Help with leaf spring problem
I have a problem with my leaf spring bracket replacement. Unfortunately, this is my first time replacing these and the shackles have completely come off the brackets and have lodged themselves into the truck bed. The truck bed is denting and cracking where the shackles are pushing against it (see pic below):
Can someone tell me what I have to do (other than taking off the bed which I do not want to do) in order to get the shackle away from the bed so I can change it. How do I release tension on the leaf spring (have a jack and just need to know where to put it).
Eric
Can someone tell me what I have to do (other than taking off the bed which I do not want to do) in order to get the shackle away from the bed so I can change it. How do I release tension on the leaf spring (have a jack and just need to know where to put it).
Eric
#2
10-08-2013
I just had a similar problem with my 2003 Ranger. The shackles both broke on me. I had a mechanic fix it, I believe he charged me about $350 for both. It was worth it to me as the truck rides much better now. The whole truck looks better, like new, rather than dragging on the rear end.
I don't have a lift or the proper tools to do the job, so I had no choice than to have a shop do it.
I don't have a lift or the proper tools to do the job, so I had no choice than to have a shop do it.
#3
10-08-2013
The spring hanger is what failed, not the shackle itself. It's a VERY common thing for trucks located in the rust belt.... In fact having a hanger fail is probably THE most common frame failure on these trucks just because of the environment they've been subjected to in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, etc...
Check out this link.... FORD RANGER FRAME FIX PARTS FOR YOUR ROTTED, RUSTED, RUSTY, RANGER FRAME '93-'04
As for your question on how to get the shackle away from the bed to fix it, jack up the frame. This will pivot the spring down thus moving the shackle and broken hanger away from the bed floor. Gotta jack her up to fix it anyway...
Check out this link.... FORD RANGER FRAME FIX PARTS FOR YOUR ROTTED, RUSTED, RUSTY, RANGER FRAME '93-'04
As for your question on how to get the shackle away from the bed to fix it, jack up the frame. This will pivot the spring down thus moving the shackle and broken hanger away from the bed floor. Gotta jack her up to fix it anyway...
#4
10-12-2013
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Raynham, MA
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Finally got it fixed....about 10 hours of work later for both brackets. Thanks for your help. Jacked up the truck with 2 cinder blocks on top of the jack in the spare tire well and it perfectly lined up the spring to bolt it onto the new shackles. Not bad for a first time frame repair......thanks for everything. Hardest part I think was taking out the bearing which I torched for a long time to get the rubber bearing out of it.
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