How hard to install greasable shackle pins?

[hogula]

I am finally replacing my 27 year old factory shocks on my 81 FJ40 with bilsteins and at the same time, I want to put greasable pins in my factory springs. They squeak a little and I'm sure the bushings are shot. Is this a job a regular guy with normal tools can do or does it need to go in the shop?

Also, I'm replacing the steering dampener just because it is 27 years old too. Is that hard to do? I'm putting a HFS unit on the stock location but I seem to recall that it is pressed on when I changed one about 20 years ago.

I checked the FAQ already. Thanks.

 

[Rodeo]

Simple and Quick!

Replacing the spring bushings and spring pins is a simple job that should only take a short time and all you need are a couple wrenches or sockets. Just soak the bolts with some PB Blaster or similiar for a few days prior to make everything come apart easy! Good Luck!

 

[Bodean]

Don't forget a jack and jack stands!

Later,

 

[TLCHopII]

x2 but a jack and jack stands may come in handy.
Merry Xmas

 

[Sea Knight]

Also, I'm replacing the steering dampener just because it is 27 years old too. Is that hard to do? I'm putting a HFS unit on the stock location but I seem to recall that it is pressed on when I changed one about 20 years ago.

I checked the FAQ already. Thanks.

That steering dampener can be a mofo to remove. Have a pickle fork and a LFH (= mini sledge) on hand and it should pop out with a couple of manly whacks.

 

[D'Animal]

Getting your old ones out and cleaning the holes will be the biggest part of the job.

 

[1979fj40]

Had to beat,pry and cuss my top shackle pins out.

 

[kvanoort]

Getting your old ones out and cleaning the holes will be the biggest part of the job.

x2. You can do it!

 

[hogula]

I was worried that the springs might fly across the garage when you pop the pin and take the pressure off them. Sounds like that is not the case.

Thanks for the replies.

Hawg

 

[fj40forlife]

no to hard. I would jack the fj40 off all 4 wheels and put jack stands on the frame, so the suspension would unload. and get a jack under the axle and put a small amount of press on the axle and take the bolts off. and bushing. some times the bushing could be a small pain to take off. i use some heat.and put everything back on.

 

[rockcod]

I would only get 2 wheels (1 axle) off the ground myself, just something about beating on a car on 4 jack stands that scares the hell out of me!!! But that's just me.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I was worried that the springs might fly across the garage when you pop the pin and take the pressure off them. Sounds like that is not the case.

Thanks for the replies.

Hawg

The key is to get the suspension in a neutral position. You want the springs unloaded but not hanging from the frame.

The fastest way to get the old bushings out is with a blue wrench. If smoke and flame aren't your thing make sure you have a 2# sledge and some drift pins handy.

 

[D'Animal]

or a sawsall.

 

[hogula]

I have plenty of sawzall blades, drift punches and blowtorches so I guess I'll have a go at it. Thanks for the help. This is a great site.

Who sells the best ones?

 

[tyama]

I have also drilled off my old bushings with a cordless and a small drill bit a little smaller in diameter than the bushing thickness.

I also agree with unloading the weight to frame jackstands and then putting a jack under the axle to unload them. IIRC, you should also grease the inside of the bushing when doing he install? ty

 

[1.25Ton]

I had to heat my 30 year old bushings/pins up pretty well with mapp gas on a plumbers torch, x4 on the sledge, Get good and pissed at the job before you get started...

 

[amaurer]

I just sat my bottle jack on top of the spring and jacked it up to the frame to unload the springs - no jack stands, cruiser still sitting on the ground. Took about 30 minutes per spring to swap all the bushings... none of mine needed a hot wrench however, I guess I was lucky.

 

[fj40forlife]

how you do the mount on the frame?

 

[FJROSS]

I used an air chisel with a point attachment. This helped push the old bolts out.

Dave

 

[D'Animal]

The top og the jack is pressing on the bottom of the frame.

how you do the mount on the frame?