VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Leaf Spring Shackle Pin Removal

The leaf spring shackle pins on the right rear of my 1931 Sp. Sedan need replacement. Any suggestions, or tricks, for removal and replacement. I'm hoping to not have to remove the entire leaf spring for removal and replacement. The one in the leaf spring looks tricky enough. The other one, what with the rear splash apron and fender in close proximity, looks even trickier. I already have the car on jack stands and the leaf spring free (shackle removed).

Best Regards,

Tom

When I did mine I used a ball joint press and it worked out great, but I was working on a bear frame.

When I did the shackle pins on my 1930 Sport Coupe it was a bare frame at the time. The pins were in place so tight that we had to put the frame sideways in a commercial hydraulic press and it took right at 20 tons of pressure to press out a couple of the pins.

I used a LARGE C-clamp, a deep well socket that the pin would fit in and a smaller socket (less than the size of the pin. I heated the pin w/ a propane torch (not red just hot) and it came right out. Same with the other 3.

I have most frequently had to heat the frame horns to the point where the grease flows. The use an air hammer to walk them out. Breaking the grip between the pin and horn is the most difficult part. Once the pin begins to move it takes less force to move it out.

I guess I got off easy. I just replaced all the pins on my 29. I got a long 5/8 grade 8 bolt with an allen head. Put a socked on back side and pulled the old bushing through into the socket. Then used another bolt to pull the new bushing back in. Worked without any heat or hammering.
Good luck. Different things work for different people.

When restoring my '31 Coach I had it down to bare chassis including the springs removed. Was easy to remove spring pins using a 5" bench vice and a variety of sockets/washers etc to gain purchase. For the pins in the frame horns, I removed vice from bench and set it up horizontally on a short stool at right height, and used it to press pins out. Also used a 3 lb mall to tap occasionally, and lots of patience. I used same tools to install new ones. Not an easy job, but one has to do what one has to do.

I used almost the same method using a long hardened spring center bolt and installed the new bushing at the same time as pushing out the old one.I did use the air gun to draw it thru but did not have to use any heat. Also the nut I used was a high nut to help prevent stripping.

Would you happen to have a photo of the material and/or method you used? I need to replace mine at some time and would like a good idea of what might work....Thanks,

Mac

I appreciate all the tips and pointers. I incorporated some of them whilst adding my own modification because the pin refused to budge despite enthusiastic effort at persuasion. With a Dremel tool abrasive disc I cut off one tapered end flush with the spring horn. Then I used a Dremel abrasive cylinder to thin the walls of the pin. With a large C-clamp and socket on the cut-off end it finally came loose.

Best Regards,

Tom

You have developed another means of removing a shackle pin. There are several ways to remove the pins depending on what tools and equipment is available.