Hi all,

I recently added a 2.5" leveling kit to my 2000 F350 7.3 CC LB 4wd. I am a bit concerned about torquing the front spring to shackle bolt (rear eye of the front spring).

Torque specs show the shackle to frame bolt (185 lb ft) was no issue. The spring to shackle nut (same torque) is where I am having an issue. I am seeing the shackle actually collapsing inward towards the spring, so I stopped torquing (even though I was really leaning into it). After driving it, I tried to torque again, it collapsed a little more but still didn't achieve the required torque.

Has anybody ever had this issue? Should I keep torquing it until I hit the specs even If it collapses more? It has me a bit concerned.

Thanks guys...

 

Do you have a steel bushing in there where the bolt went through?
I cant imagine it not there but things do happen

 

Yep, steel bushings on both sides. Maybe they don't protrude as much as the stock ones. Fronts (to hangers) torqued down fine (203 lb ft) with no issues.

It just makes me concerned that either they may damage/fatigue the shackles or by not being torqued adequately will cause me issues or a possible dangerous situation...

 

Well, just ran out and measured old spring. Springs are 3.0" wide and bushing protrudes .250"/side making the overall width 3.500".

Looking at the new ones, they don't protrude as much. Shackle opening right now has closed to around 3.300", so they have closed .200" total, .100"/side.

It looks like the steel bushings are just touching the inside of the shackle (towards the bottom). However, since the shackle tapers from top to bottom, that could be an unsafe issue.

The last thing I want to do is have to remove these and add spacers or some other fix. At 62, switching these was a huge pain in the a$$.

Any thoughts people?

 

Wrong bushing was used or supplied?

My bushings were the same size when i replaced mine.

 

It's a Rough Country 2.5" leveling kit. I guess it's possible they used the wrong bushing. I guess I'll call them tomorrow.

Did get them torqued, but not happy w/the amount of collapse, probably not safe.

 

Handful of times ive done this its not been enough difference to notice. The shackle does tend to "spring" open once relieved of pressure. If the shackle looks square in relation to the spring i wouldnt worry about it.

 

Here's a pic from the underside...

 

Bushing definitely seems too narrow.

 

I guess I'll take it to an off road specialty shop today that is close by and well reviewed to get their input and my options...

 

If the sleeve in the bushing is correct size for the bolt I'd just throw some washers on each side of it so it's not collapsing the shackle. Then tighten it down and call it good.

 

That's a good call. Just got back from the nearby off-road shop and the owner said that's what to do. They said it wouldn't hurt anything, it's just not right. Gonna have them do it because I am too old and sore and tired from installing the kit.

Thanks everybody!