Shackle problems

[88xjlover]

Sorry just trying to understand. The socket is slipping on the bolt but isn't rounding it off? I seem to remember the bolt being a 3/4 not 13/16 but it's been a while. I agree that you should lift both the front and rear at the same time but use a tough 1/2" driver with a cheater and tough it out.
It will start to get better after it turns about 3 or 4 times but it's a biatch!
Heat will help even a propane torch will help but keep in mind your working next to your gas tank.

 

[codyyy]

Well right now I'm debating just selling the shackles. I really don't have the money right now to get inchitis with this Jeep. It's already at 4.5" of lift on 32s, any higher and I'm afraid of needing to modify my driveline such as SYE and adj. lower control arms, bigger coils, etc. A lot of people have been telling me I'm even lucky to be sitting at 4.5" of lift without any major vibes.
That and the fact that I built the Jeep for the trails, not for the desert, and after I moved here I realized there really isn't anything around me but sand. Oh well.

 

[XJCanuck]

Just a point of clarity here. This is a metric bolt. 21mm or 22mm if I remember correctly. 13/16 is very close, but not exact. Maybe that is why it is slipping. And if it is, you will strip the head of that bolt.

 

[RCP Phx]

Reread the thread,the bolt is metric,but he's saying the socket is NOT spinning on the the bolt head!

 

[MoparManiac]

Dude get some heat on the nut inside the frame rail! At first I wasn't sure when you said leaf spring bolt so I thought you meant the front leaf spring bolt but the upper shackle bolt is the same situation.

There is already a hole in the frame rail when you can see the welded nut. Stick a torch through the hole and cook the nut red hot. Once it's red hot, start breaking the bolt free. Shouldn't be too hard if you can get the nut hot enough (acetylenes nice, mapp gas will take longer).

 

[codyyy]

I made sure the socket wasn't slipping, I basically have to lightly tap the socket onto the bolt head, so I know it has no play. It's just the breaker bar. Oh well, thanks for the help, heat should work.

 

[yossarian19]

USE HEAT
I had a helluva time putting my shackles in, pulling my tcase drop studs, just about everything really. Buy a cheapo propane blowtorch and heat the suckers up good and proper, just watch that you don't start a grease fire and *voila* bolts come right out.