Hey all, so in the process of removing and restoring my suspension components, i found that i cannot remove the Y hangers from the rear shackles. I got the rest of the pins out by removing the zerks and pounding them from the outside in, instead of inside the frame rail access and pounding out. so everything is removed and the rear shackles are removed from the springs but i cannot get the pin to budge on that damn Y hanger..i've soaked it for 2 weeks straight and pounded on it with everything i have. The hanger is frozen solid on the shackle and will not move. anyone have any tips for me? i have it soaking in evaporust right now to clean it up. all the other parts are already de-rusted and painted. Working on the springs right now. springs are pitted but not cracked and still have a nice arch so i'm gonna clean them up and use them!

 

When all else fails, try heat. Many times vibration, like an air hammer, works.

 

I agree you are gonna need some heat. A mapp gas torch can be just as effective as oxy acetylene. Give it a couple heat then cool cycles try your hammer again. Use a punch that is just as big as the pin. I've been in your shoes many times. Keep trying.

 

IMHO mapp gas does not get hot enough. ace/oxy=3480, mapp /air=2010.

 

Being I don't have a torch I used the MAPPS gas on my door hinge pins. Worked for me. Worked on a few other stuck stuff too.The O/A torches certainly get hotter so might not take as long for the desired results. If you have been using something that's too small to drive the pins out the end might get a bit deformed. I have used bolts of the proper size held with a vise grip to move stubborn items. Good luck.

 

I agree with you on the mapp gas. Cheaper than an oxy unit and can get some jobs done.

 

Thanks guys, i've heated and pounded and i'm just gonna consider the rear shackles as a goner, plus they are pretty rough. i have 2 spare shackles from the rear fronts of another set of springs that i'll use. So my plan is use my spring packs, rebuilt with some missing leaves and with poly liner. i'm thinking of going with extended Y hangers, and flipping the rear shackle. Would i have to raise or flip the front rear shackle to keep things symmectrical?

 

so i just came in from the garage. i decided to try to get the hangers off the spare set of springs/shackles that i bought off a guy. and yeah, it only took 3 whacks with a 3lb sledge and a drift and those puppies were free! plus they only have surface rust and clean up nice..so, let me rephrase my question, has anyone reversed the shackle with a stock hanger to get the truck a little lower??

 

I'm not sure I understand the question...I think of the shackle and what mid fifty calls a y hanger as the same thing. I think the common modification is to flip the front bracket/hanger when you use reverse eye leaf springs in the rear. That's what I did at first. Then I bought mid fifty' new "adjust also front hanger and moved it to the top of the frame. Usually people use a longer shackle (or y hanger) in the rear of the spring setup and then sometimes move the front hanger up on the frame to get a lower ride and keep the pinion angle close to the same.

If I'm not answering the right question...let me know!