C shackle problem-Stuck!

Hello,
It's me again with more questions and a few problems I need help with.  Today, my son and I removed one of the old 4 leaf springs and found a few problems.  #1 we discovered that the new 8 leaf spring is narrower than the old 4 leaf so the front pivot bracket has a slight gap.  I was afraid to tighten it all the way as the front spring bracket would start to bend and compress in.  Is this normal and okay to tighten it even though the new spring is narrower? Do I have to get a different front spring bracket?

In the rear, we are installing a heavy duty C shackle where there was the standard straight steel plate shackles and upon installing the outside, threaded part of the shackle into the rear spring bracket, we found the hole to be smaller and tight.  We managed to get the bottom one onto the spring eye with lots of persuasion but the top one only went in about 1/2 inch.  It seems that the outside threaded part of the C shackle that screws onto the threaded portion of the C shackle doesn't fit the hole of the spring bracket.  Is it possible the c shackle is the wrong one or do I have to change out the rear spring bracket for one with a larger diameter hole.  Is the C shackle supposed to be this tight that I have to just power it in?  The person I bought the HD C shackle said it should fit my rear spring bracket.  I am really worried that I may have screwed it up.  Click on to "Day 2" for all pictures.

So, I just looked at the pictures again and in the Bantam section, picture # 3 you can see that inside the top of the rear spring bracket there is a green spacer thing that I wasn't sure if that is supposed to be remove but I left it on and that is the part that is causing the problem.  Does that belong there or does it come out because it was stuck on.  Maybe stuck due to paint.  Thoughts?

I had trouble loading pictures small enough to add to the forum so I set up a website and I hope it works so you can take a look at the progress of the restoration and the problems we faced.  I wrote captions so you will be able to see what I mean. 
Once again, I appreciate any advice and help I can get. 
Gale, I know you should have some insight on these issues.

Thanks,
Eddie
http://web.me.com/edwardmah/Site/Bantam.html



Edited by emah - 31 May 2010 at 4:03am

Gale,
both c shackles I have are the same.  I don't know what constitutes LH or RH thread but they both have the same threading meaning they both turn in the same direction.  I looked at the threads pattern and we were turning in the correct direction clockwise tightens which is RH thread correct.  I think the problem is the green "bushing" or spacer in between the spring bracket.  Do you know if it is supposed to be there?  The next time I work on the trailer I have no choice but to disassemble the whole suspension and try to take that spacer thing out.

I am not sure what part is the perch but if it is the spacer tube thing, it was threadless.

Did anyone else have that spacer in the rear spring bracket?

Thanks,
Ed

yep, that is the same one.  The part I am referring to is the round tube like spacer the rubber bushing is in.  Mine is just painted green.  If you notice the between the holes in the spring bracket there is a metal tube that the rubber is in.  I pulled out the rubber piece and when I tried to screw in the thread C shackle, it got stuck and would only go in about 3/4". 

So, I just took a closer look at it and that tube between the holes is welded on.  I think I may need a different spring bracket with a thicker diameter hole.  If you take your rubber bushing out and try to put on your new C shackle and it doesn't fit easily, you probably will have the same problem I do.  I bought my first set of C shackles from Willy's Overland Motors and then a second HD set from Border Parts and they are exactly the same diameter.

Thanks,
Eddie


Edited by emah - 01 June 2010 at 1:08am

 Good news!  I just got off the phone with John at Border parts and he told me that everything is correct and that I need to use a breaker bar to install the C shackle.  He said that the threads on the C shackle have to cut themselves in.  In other words as you turn it, it is supposed to cut grooves into the spring bracket and will lock itself in place. 

One last question if anyone has any comments on the installation of the C shackle onto the rear spring bracket.

Was it difficult to install requiring a breaker bar?  I just want to confirm what I was told before trying it.  Can someone please post a close up picture of their C shackle installed?

Thanks guys and sorry for all the questions.

Eddie

Gale:

I think I might have the same problem as Eddie does.  The original shackles that I had on my trailer had bushings on them and no threats.  Here is a picture of them after I took them off...



Now, these are the new shackles that I purchased from Ron F parts.  They look totally different.  They are the type that you screw in, oh, and by the way, I do not have threads cut into them...



Am I going to need a breaker bar to install them in?

Thanks,

Joel


Edited by canorisa - 03 June 2010 at 12:19pm

Eddie:

My spring hangers are the same as yours...seeing from the pictures on your website.  I too have no threads on the perches.  They are smooth with no grooves.  I don't see why you would have to return your RH C-shackles as I imagine they would work the same as the LH threads.  I would imagine.  Let's see what Gail or someone else can say about the subject.

You have definitely given me a lot of insight on the installation of these shackles.  I didn't know I was going to encounter any such problems installing them but now I see other wise.  So, Mr. Breaker Bar is going to come in handy for sure.  Would you recommend I grease the hole first before attempting to install my shackles?  You know, I didn't know there were heavy duty shackles and regular shackles.  I thought they were all the same but now I know better.  I have not compared the new shackles with the older ones.  I guess I should and will do come this weekend and will let you know.

No, to answer your question in regards to my springs.  My springs only need a good sandblasting and they should be alright so I won't run into that same problem you ran into with your springs.  I did changed the springs on my last Bantam that I had and I had purchased my springs from Ron F parts and they were an exact match with no problems.  Where did you get your springs?  How come the width don't match to your older ones?

Joel

Originally posted by 48cj2a Joel,   I believe your trailer to be a later one and the springs, shackles, bushing etc all to be factory.   see this area on the web site:   http://bantamt3c.com/bantamshackles.htm

Art:

That is good to know.  I do wonder, how come my leaf springs come with four leafs and I have seen others with more?  Any thoughts on that?

Thanks,

Joel

Originally posted by 48cj2a Changes in production and suppliers maybe.   I have two trailers with thin leaves (10 per side simular to CJ2A springs) and one trailer with thick leaves (5 per side).

Art...do your springs on the one trailer look like these ones...they are from my trailer and yes they are a bit thick.