Spring shackles

[BillT]

The springs on my ‘52 CJ3A were replaced by the previous owner, they are very stiff. Yesterday while greasing the shackles I noticed the left rear top bushing was backed out about half way. I screwed it back in and found it was right hand thread. I thought it should have been left handed. Did the po put in the wrong shackle or was there a design change? Any thoughts? Being right handed is that the reason it backed out? It is the standard C shackle.

[Rus Curtis]

The springs on my ‘52 CJ3A were replaced by the previous owner, they are very stiff. Yesterday while greasing the shackles I noticed the left rear top bushing was backed out about half way. I screwed it back in and found it was right hand thread. I thought it should have been left handed. Did the po put in the wrong shackle or was there a design change? Any thoughts? Being right handed is that the reason it backed out? It is the standard C shackle.

Copied so I can read it.

BillT,
My SM states that the LHT bushings should be DOWN in the front left and right rear spring eyes, all other bushings are RHT.  It goes on to say later designed shackles were all RHT.  I confess I don't know how one bushing can back out.  I also have replacement springs but haven't flexed them enough to see if I have this issue or not.

The SM states how you can visually ID the LHT but in case you can't see the groove or boss, you could back them out a bit, to verify, if you're curious (be sure to re-tighten with gap per SM).  Since I've not seen just one back out before, perhaps you could loosen both top/bottom and re-install per the SM (para S-6)

[SteveKfl]

When the SM referenced RHT for later models, could it have been refereeing to the different "double sided style shackle" used then, and not the "C" shape?

[Rus Curtis]

It's been a while since I'd been in this section and was a bit confused but read starting at S-5. Install Spring.  There it talks about the rubber bushed shackles (also a description in S-2, i.e before and after 1957).

S-5 then says for U-shackles, go to S-6.  So the LHT/RHT is all in S-6 for just the U-shackles - which included, "The left-hand threaded parts have been cancelled in the production of Models DJ-3A, CJ-3B, CJ-5 and CJ-6.  All later production vehicles, up to early 1957, use all right-hand threaded parts."

Going out on a limb here, I'd guess that just like the LHT lug nuts, they figured it wasn't either necessary or cost effective. 

[BillT]

Russ and Steve thanks for the comments. Before posting I did scan the SM for an idea that may have helped explain what I found. I don’t understand the instructions stating the LHT bushing should be Down. I checked the other bushings and all were tight.Thanksgiving week the ole gal will get a good workout and I will keep a close watch on it. Now I’m speculating that when the springs were changed out the bushings installed were all RHT. Which brings up the question, were the spring hangers designed for RHT/LHT bushings? I will reread the SM sections Russ mentioned.
Thanks again guys.

[Rus Curtis]

Russ and Steve thanks for the comments. Before posting I did scan the SM for an idea that may have helped explain what I found. I don’t understand the instructions stating the LHT bushing should be Down. I checked the other bushings and all were tight.Thanksgiving week the ole gal will get a good workout and I will keep a close watch on it. Now I’m speculating that when the springs were changed out the bushings installed were all RHT. Which brings up the question, were the spring hangers designed for RHT/LHT bushings? I will reread the SM sections Russ mentioned.
Thanks again guys.

Copied so I can read it.

BillT,
The way I interpret that "DOWN" reference is:  The frame bracket is UP and the spring is DOWN (with relationship to each other the two bushings of the shackle.  That way, I see the LHT inside the spring - not the frame bracket.  I believe the caution of confirming you put it back how you found it per the SM is that grooves are worn into the spring (LHT) and the bracket (RHT) and if switched around, I'd assume the grooves in the spring or bracket and the threads on the bushing would both be worn down - probably making it difficult to keep the shackle secured.  But since you have replacement springs, I'd assume you'd need to be more cautious about the shackles being backwards.

[BillT]

Thanks Russ that makes sense to me. I’m going to keep a close watch on it next week. I’m beginning to think something is worn or a right hand thread item was installed in the wrong place. When I reinstalled it the rear wheel was off the ground so no load on the shackle, there was not much resistance screwing it back in.

[Rus Curtis]

Thanks Russ that makes sense to me. I’m going to keep a close watch on it next week. I’m beginning to think something is worn or a right hand thread item was installed in the wrong place. When I reinstalled it the rear wheel was off the ground so no load on the shackle, there was not much resistance screwing it back in.

copied so I can read it.



With new springs, you don't have to worry.  If already attached and disassembled, then you'd need to closely observe which type was where.  To install, I think you'd have to unload a bit - at least until you find that "sweet spot" to be able to thread it.  Hopefully, everything holds together and it was just a fluke.

[BillT]

Yeah, me too. Thanks for your thoughts Russ.