Leaf Spring Shackles: To Grease or Not To Grease???

[rikubot]

Hello I recently ordered a pair of repro shackles for my '69 Charger to replace the aftermarket Joe Dirt looking ones that were on there when my dad bought the car. I have two questions: 1, should I grease the bushings? and 2, shoud I have the shackles themselves powdercoated, or will they be okay if I just throw 'em on? I will attach a pic of my shackles now and the ones I got in the mail yesterday. Any feedback, swear words, duh's or whatever are welcome and appreciated. Thanks if advance!

-Mike

 

[65hemi]

If the bushings are poly, put the special lube on them to keep them from squeaking. I personally coat all bare metals with either paint or powder coat. I hate rusty bare metal on a vehicle.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I like to use permatex anti seize on bushings. That stuff is good to like 2000*. It ain't goin nowhere.

 

[440+6]

Those sure are Joe Dirt Shackles on there now, that's funny.
Lube and paint for sure.

 

[wannadrag]

OMG little overkill on those old ones.

 

[Cranky]

No grease on rubber. Use silicone lube instead or nothing at all.

 

[RustyRatRod]

See.....that's where anti seize fits in. It aint grease. It's graphite in paste form.

 

[Cranky]

Actually, rubber bushings are designed to grip only for small deflections. For larger deflections they are designed to slip some (rather than tear) and anti seize doesn't allow for them to do their job because it allows rubber bushings to do nothing but slip. The silicone will at least prolong their life. If I'm wrong (and I've have been recently lol), someone please chime in. And anti sieze contains a refined blend of aluminum, copper and graphite lubricants that can be used on slow moving parts. Meets Mil Spec #907E.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Well......I've never had any trouble with it and have used it for a long time.



How bout this?

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/Energy-Suspension-Formula-5-Prelube-Bushing-Lube.asp

 

[steve817]

Use a silicone base lube between rubber and metal parts. Just to keep things in great shape....paint. If you don't use the correct lube, you will increase speed of deterioration of rubber and your car will make noise. Your all over it Cranky and confirmed by Firmfeel.

 

[Cranky]

Well......I've never had any trouble with it and have used it for a long time.



How bout this?

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/Energy-Suspension-Formula-5-Prelube-Bushing-Lube.asp

well, the site you listed says this.....
Using it as a bushing lube when installing your new parts prevents metal-to-metal contact even under severe shock loads.

No rubber is mentioned there. BUT....it also says this....This bushing lube can be used for any polyurethane or rubber bushings.

So I'm kinda cornfused....

 

[rikubot]

Thanks for the feedback guys. So far I've learned: 1. I should have them powdercoated, and 2. If I lube them I should use silicone lube.

Today I put them on because I couldn't wait to see how it would look and how my car would sit, so when I pull them back off I'll get them powdercoated and lube them with silicon lube. My powdercoat guy is kind of a flake so no tellin when that will be but I think it will look great when they're done.

So far I have acheived the result I want. It sits where it should have from the factory (I think), and I will no longer have those giant shackles sticking down to the ground. Happy Happy Happy! I have hated my old shackles since the first time they scraped on the speed bumps at my high school parking lot.

 

[rikubot]

 

[383man]

You know I will never understand that if someone uses the extra long hillbilly looking shackles why they dont cut them off and grind the corners a little round to make them look stock once they have the height they want ? Mr Gasket makes a heavy duty shackle that has about 5 holes and is extra long to change the height a car sits. I have used a few sets on cars when I need to raise them a 1/2" to an inch as they work great for that. But I cut them off just below the shackle and grind the corners round some to make them look like a stock shackle. I also paint them black and no one can even tell they are not stock. So why do so many leave the extra 4 to 6 inches hanging down like that ?

As for lube I always spray a small amout of lube on the bushings. Not alot but just enough. I have seen buddies leave them dry and then wonder why they squeak at times. Ron

 

[tallhair]

Looks great. Thanks for the update rikubot

 

[rikubot]

383man, I was thinking the same exact thing, and almost did that myself. The reason I went back with the stock stance & part is because I wanted my wheels to sit tucked back into the fenderwell. It was also easier to just order a part and replace them as I dont have a way to cut and grind them lol. Thanks for the advice!

Tallhair, thank you and you're welcome! I really enjoy sharing on this site as I have no one to talk in person!

My next idea is to put on a pair of R/T exhaust tips. My car was originally just a 383 car and not an R/T or an SE, but I think I'm going to go the whole R/T clone route. Plus I think the pipes in back look better with the straight chrome R/T tips. I eventually want to do a full 2.5" exhaust, so I was going to order a pair that would slip over 2.5" pipes and just run those slipped over my pipes (after I cut them down a little so they fit). Does anybody think this is a good idea? are there any downsides to these shenanigans? One muffler has a big hole in it and my pipes will need to be replaced anyway so I figured it wont do any harm, and it will further clean up the rear end of my car. Any advice welcome!

-Mike

- - - Updated - - -

One more picture with the new parts. Looks 10 times better than before.

 

[tallhair]

diggin the license plate

 

[caveman85635]

View attachment 104074

Looks great! The stance is right where I would have it.