Unthreaded Shackle Brackets

Hi, fellow Intermediate Jeepers. I was browsing this wonderful group and decided to join after seeing how knowledgable everyone is.

Now that I have properly greased the skids ...I have a question I hope someone can help with.

I am in the very early stages of rebuilding a 1974 CJ5. While disassembling the frame components and prepping for sandblasting, the shackle bracket bushing and steel tube it fits into broke off on two of the brackets. They were severely corroded. I have seen replacement brackets that I can purchase, but I am wondering if it's necessary if the rest of the bracket is in good condition, which they are, and still firmly attached to the frame. Basically, what does the steel tube do? What if I end up replacing the bushing and shackles with greasable ones?

Thanks, and it's great to be here.

Norm

 

These are pics that I grabbed from a website.

 

That piece needs to come out anyway. The new bushings won't require this metal tube. In fact it's kinda hard to get it to come out under normal circumstances so if you'rs just fell out....consider yourself lucky.

 

Norm, Welcome from SE VA, nice pics by the way...

 

John, you are mistaken. The bushing goes inside that metal tube. Without the tube, the bracket is much weaker, and either the entire bracket or the tube must be replaced. You could get some new tubing and weld it up, but I'd expect that replacing the entire bracket would be better and easier.

 

x2 on timgr's response. The tube with metal/rubber/metal (the shackle bushing) has to come out and shoud be replaced, but the tube outlined in the pics holds the shackle mount together keeping it from spreading. There should be welds partly around or completely around the tube on inside of the shackle mount.

Karl

 

Like I said in the beginning...this is a very knowledgable group.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will order all four replacement brackets.

Also, thanks for the welcome.