These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
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Topic author - Posts: 125
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These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
I know I should be glad that these are available but I really should have ground some of the serrated edge off. When it touches the spring or perch they tend to bite & then the shackle itself wears in places that it shouldn't.
Thinking of re-making the worn parts in 8MM steel rather than the 5.5 MM they're currently made from.
The moral of the story is, if you haven't examined your spring shackles closely lately, it might be a good idea to do so.
Thinking of re-making the worn parts in 8MM steel rather than the 5.5 MM they're currently made from.
The moral of the story is, if you haven't examined your spring shackles closely lately, it might be a good idea to do so.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
Thanks for the heads up. We just installed the new shackles on the kid's car thi as fall. We'll need to keep an eye on them.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
This type of shackle has been discussed some time ago on the old forum. You are right, they suck. As far as I'm concerned, they should be banned. JMHO. Dave
1925 mostly original coupe.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
A friend of mine had a repro shackle rip apart there. Maybe he'll chime in
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
I'm only two years into Model T's but I could see, even with my novice eyes, that those new repro shackles were no bueno.
It took me a while, but I found a good set of used original Ford script shackles that'll be installed this weekend. They're not perfect but they fit nice and snug inside the brand new bushings I bought, so I'm happy with them.
I've heard the repros that Chaffins makes are also good. As soon as my car is finished mechanically, I'm going to buy a complete set of everything that will wear out on the car and stash it for the day when all these suppliers are gone. And...a set of Chaffin's shackles is on that list.
It took me a while, but I found a good set of used original Ford script shackles that'll be installed this weekend. They're not perfect but they fit nice and snug inside the brand new bushings I bought, so I'm happy with them.
I've heard the repros that Chaffins makes are also good. As soon as my car is finished mechanically, I'm going to buy a complete set of everything that will wear out on the car and stash it for the day when all these suppliers are gone. And...a set of Chaffin's shackles is on that list.
1924 Touring
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
For anyone interested this is a posting from 2013. I lost one shackle. The others are still working fine. I did buy some nice Chaffins shackles but have been too lazy to install them.
Rich
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1384559326
Rich
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/33 ... 1384559326
When did I do that?
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
The insidious thing about many reproduction parts is when they are not equal to the originals in design and materials, they are prone to early failure. I say "insidious" because it's the nature of the hobby that more often than not, they are installed on cars that are seldom used, and rarely see the kind of service that was common in their using life, so the perception is that if they fit the hole, they're just fine.
Not so for cars that see a lot of road time. Per Murphy's Law, they'll fail at the worst possible moment, usually on a tour, and far from any assistance. We have to be our own quality control nowadays if NOS parts can't be had.
Not so for cars that see a lot of road time. Per Murphy's Law, they'll fail at the worst possible moment, usually on a tour, and far from any assistance. We have to be our own quality control nowadays if NOS parts can't be had.
"Get a horse !"
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
My car developed erratic steering problems 2 years after a complete front axle rebuild. At the time of the rebuild I saw no need in spending the extra $ on the forged type shackles, so the new ones that I installed were the less expensive stamped type with the knurled pins. Upon inspection the wear of the end plate was easy to spot. This wear, created lots of "wobble" in the pins allowing the camber to constantly change depending on the road, bumps, and contour of the pavement. New forged shackles were installed and good steering was restored.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
The vendors shouldn't be selling that crap. Good used genuine Ford shackles are everywhere, you just have to look for them. For those of you that don't go to swap meets, ebay is a good start. The early ones can be welded up and turned down to standard.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
2017 & 2018 I took my digital calipers with me to Chickasha and Hershey. I found maybe a total of 8 shackles that looked okay between those 4 meets. 3 of the shackles I bought at Chickasha were heavily primered and were too pitted to use after I cleaned the primer off. So, basically a total of 5 shackles at 4 big swap meets. I wouldn’t say they are “all over the place”...Original Smith wrote: ↑Fri Feb 01, 2019 10:29 amGood used genuine Ford shackles are everywhere, you just have to look for them.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
I think if you look around you will find lots of this style shackle in use on many cars. I am going to go out on a limb and say it is not the design, it is the material used, grade of steel and hardness.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
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1948 Ford F2 pickup
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
So what would happen if you welded that pin on a new repro set?
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
Welding the knurled shackles would be a help. Big problem with repro stuff is that you cannot know what grade of steel was used. I would hazard a guess that the knurled design with an acceptable alloy would still be a problem past a certain amount of stress and use.
"Get a horse !"
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
One wrap of aluminium welding wire seems to space them out from the bushing far enough that they will not present a problem. For now.
A washer would be better.
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Topic author - Posts: 125
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
Larry, do you know why I don't listen to you? It's because you don't live in a place called real life. And you post such 1950s spec' words on so many places on the internet that someone might think you have access to time travel. I don't.
I can't even find a timer let alone a shackle, and nobody can, or is willing to turn a shackle on a lathe. Trust me, I can't even find someone to turn my timer true again.
I can't even find a timer let alone a shackle, and nobody can, or is willing to turn a shackle on a lathe. Trust me, I can't even find someone to turn my timer true again.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
While not plentiful, L shaped shackles are to be found. GOOD usable ones are a rarity. Re-building the L shaped ones is not too difficult if you have a mig welder and access to a lathe. I made a tool to hold the welded shackle in the lathe. It is simply a short length of old T rear axle with a drilled and tapped hole in one end into which the shackle thread is wound, until it bottoms out on the shoulder on the shackle. I then use a centre drill to make a relief in the outside of the shackle, and the shaft is turned down between centres. When done, the relief can be filled with your choice of goo.
Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.
Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
I’ve heard many people say they weld up shackles and turn them down. I’m sure this makes a good looking shackle, but the T shackles are hardened and a welded up shackle doesnt have a hard enough surface. Unless you harden them they will not last long. This could be okay for some vehicles that don’t get driven much, but I just wanted to mention this so people that have “welded up” shackles on their cars keep a close eye on how they are wearing!
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
I'm using built-up shackles, but with bronze bushings. I hope the wear will be on the bushings and not the shackles, but I guess I'd better do an annual check to see how they're doing.
The inevitable often happens.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
Those two piece repro shackles perhaps aren't hardened either.
Tried using on the rear for install, the spring was being pulled in place to fit, the other side slipped a bit, and bent that repro shackle as it slipped.
Never had that happen with Ford forged shackle. So decided then to refrain from using the repro.
Must be something to that soft repro, as this photo was on the old site a few years ago, soft metal worn by the serrated pin.
Tried using on the rear for install, the spring was being pulled in place to fit, the other side slipped a bit, and bent that repro shackle as it slipped.
Never had that happen with Ford forged shackle. So decided then to refrain from using the repro.
Must be something to that soft repro, as this photo was on the old site a few years ago, soft metal worn by the serrated pin.
The best way is always the simplest. The attics of the world are cluttered up with complicated failures. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
Don’t find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain. Henry Ford
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
One of mine did the same thing.
Rich
Rich
When did I do that?
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
Obviously, the shear tension of the weight of the car is greater across the bushing and shaft than the knurled press-fit of the shaft in the shackle body. Just an entirely bad design, but cheap to make.
"Get a horse !"
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
Adam, Like Steve, I always use bronze bushes rather than the cheap rolled steel bushes Henry and the vendors supply. They have an added advantage in that they can be reamed for a custom fit, should my machining of the welds be a little off spec.
I buy new figure 8 and Mae West shackles for early cars. The rebuilds are confined to the forged one piece L type which are not reproduced.
Allan from down under.
I buy new figure 8 and Mae West shackles for early cars. The rebuilds are confined to the forged one piece L type which are not reproduced.
Allan from down under.
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Re: These new fangled spring shackles wear funny
Well now you have me wondering what replacement shackles I have on my car. As a known cheap-ass, I think I know what the answer is going to be...