002/003 shackle problem

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moparmike98

moparmike98

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I recently acquired some new 002/003 springs for my 1972 Duster and when I installed them I ran into some shackle problems. When I let the car down the drivers side was borderline but the passenger side inverted into the trunk pan immediately. Tomorrow I plan to jack it back up and loosen everything then ease it back down while using a pry bar on the passenger side shackle to try and flip it. Any other ideas? How come some people need to put spacers between the shackle mount and frame but some don't? They're the same springs after all.
Car on the ground passenger side (installing new shackle tomorrow)
20180325_131123.jpg


Passenger side at full droop
20180325_130342.jpg


Driver side
20180325_131022.jpg
 
The main leaf is too short or has too much arch. Or, the tolerance in your car's particular frame front to back is a bit long.
 
moparmike98 said:
I recently acquired some new 002/003 springs for my 1972 Duster and when I installed them I ran into some shackle problems. When I let the car down the drivers side was borderline but the passenger side inverted into the trunk pan immediately. Tomorrow I plan to jack it back up and loosen everything then ease it back down while using a pry bar on the passenger side shackle to try and flip it. Any other ideas? How come some people need to put spacers between the shackle mount and frame but some don't? They're the same springs after all.
Car on the ground passenger side (installing new shackle tomorrow)
View attachment 1715159219

Passenger side at full droop
View attachment 1715159223

Driver side
View attachment 1715159220
Click to expand...

I just installed the same springs on my 68 Dart GTS but I put both 002's on mine and I'm glad I read your post as my rear shackles are exactly the same way on both side. I haven't taken it off the jack stands yet as I'm waiting for my new shocks. Holy S$%T now what the hell do I do.
 
I am using both 03's The low side......we will see....
 
Had a set on my 69 Dart when I bought it some 12 years ago. The previous owner ran into the same thing. He had to run spacers behind the rear frame mount. I took them off and bought a set of HD springs.
 
Have you guys installed the springs backwards? The part that is forward is a different length that the part that is rearward.

I have them on my ‘69 GTS and they fit like they should. I took this pic just a few minutes ago.

84F37C67-B14B-437D-8694-47B4B6085200.jpeg
 
possible on wrong side
but I would bolt it up and it will change
 
Ddaddy said:
Have you guys installed the springs backwards? The part that is forward is a different length that the part that is rearward.

I have them on my ‘69 GTS and they fit like they should. I took this pic just a few minutes ago.

View attachment 1715159300
Click to expand...
I don't think you could install them backwards. The rear end would be mounted way to the rear. If I recall the front spring segment to the center pin is 20".
 
I just looked at the OP’s pics. Looks like the passenger side is installed backwards. The length from the main spring to the second leaf is different.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
I don't think you could install them backwards. The rear end would be mounted way to the rear. If I recall the front spring segment to the center pin is 20".
Click to expand...
You can install them backwards,but it should be noticeable in the wheel position in the wheel well. Especially if only one side is backwards.
 
moparmike98 said:
I recently acquired some new 002/003 springs for my 1972 Duster and when I installed them I ran into some shackle problems. When I let the car down the drivers side was borderline but the passenger side inverted into the trunk pan immediately. Tomorrow I plan to jack it back up and loosen everything then ease it back down while using a pry bar on the passenger side shackle to try and flip it. Any other ideas? How come some people need to put spacers between the shackle mount and frame but some don't? They're the same springs after all.
Car on the ground passenger side (installing new shackle tomorrow)
View attachment 1715159219

Passenger side at full droop
View attachment 1715159223

Driver side
View attachment 1715159220
Click to expand...

Is it me or the pic, but the shackle mounts look different.
 
The leaf spring segment stack is different 002 to 003. the front eye on the leaf spring is way larger than the rear. IF, he had it backwards you would tell it in a second. The front bushing is larger and pressed in. The rear uses two rubber only inserts, one installed front the outside. And they are smaller in size.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
The leaf spring segment stack is different 002 to 003. the front eye on the leaf spring is way larger than the rear. IF, he had it backwards you would tell it in a second. The front bushing is larger and pressed in. The rear uses two rubber only inserts, one installed front the outside. And they are smaller in size.
Click to expand...
One would think it would be obvious, but it is also possible the manufacturer put the pressed in bushing on the wrong end. Stranger things have happened.
 
lower the jack, then raise it while using a pry bar to force the shackle to the rear/correct location.
 
I would also check the front mounts to make sure they aren’t upside down.
 
Ddaddy said:
I would also check the front mounts to make sure they aren’t upside down.
Click to expand...
The front mounts will only bolt one way, the bolts are off set. Unless they have been modified.
 
I believe the main reason this occurs is the fact that the right side spring has more arch. If you lay them side by side it is obvious.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
I believe the main reason this occurs is the fact that the right side spring has more arch. If you lay them side by side it is obvious.
Click to expand...
Post number 3 is using two of the 002 springs so they should be identical from side to side.
 
Ddaddy said:
Or if they are upside down on the opposite side.
Click to expand...
The two top bolts are closer together then the lower bolts, the same on both sides. Unable to turn over without enlarging the holes in the mounting location.
 
I think you have the answer in this pic. The passenger side leaf spring has more arch thus distance between spring eyes appear to be shorter. This only effect the rear segment of course. A spacer at the passenger side rear spring mount is probably what you need. (As some already have said)
Also important is for the SS-springs to work properly, shackle angel must be forward. Meaning lower spring eye must be rear of the upper mount hole. You may need a spacer on the left side as well. Maybe less thick though.
It´s a good thing I have a picture to show what I am talking about... right :)

spring eyes.JPG
 
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moparmike98 said:
I recently acquired some new 002/003 springs for my 1972 Duster and when I installed them I ran into some shackle problems. When I let the car down the drivers side was borderline but the passenger side inverted into the trunk pan immediately. Tomorrow I plan to jack it back up and loosen everything then ease it back down while using a pry bar on the passenger side shackle to try and flip it. Any other ideas? How come some people need to put spacers between the shackle mount and frame but some don't? They're the same springs after all.
Car on the ground passenger side (installing new shackle tomorrow)
View attachment 1715159219
Click to expand...


@Mopar Tim is correct...

Mopar Tim said:
lower the jack, then raise it while using a pry bar to force the shackle to the rear/correct location.
Click to expand...


I have had this happen to me with installing springs...

Jack up the back of the car and let the suspension hang free, then get a pry bar and pull the shackle rearward so it sits properly, then have someone pump the jack to put pressure on the spring while you keep the pry bar on it and pull rearward on the shackle to keep it from going forward. Once you get some pressure on the spring with the shackle pointing in the right direction, it will be fine...

No need to loosen anything, just jack up the rear and have jack stands under the frame. Then set the shackle in the proper direction and put pressure on it while prying with the pry bar... (Have a helper pump the jack up while you pull the shackle rearward)...

When you put pressure on the spring, it gets longer.... On a new set of springs, sometimes it will go upwards instead of rearward...

I encountered this with Espo springs as well and all we did is what I described and it was fine... Once you get pressure on it and get the shackle to go rearward, it will be fine as the weight of the car will keep it in the proper orientation from then on....
 
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Ddaddy said:
One would think it would be obvious, but it is also possible the manufacturer put the pressed in bushing on the wrong end. Stranger things have happened.
Click to expand...
dam guys, they are a lot diff. size !
ur rear shackles should be running slightly to the rear/from top to bottom too, "w/ the cars weight on it."
 
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