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Old Apr 13, 2004 | 02:29 PM
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Shackle Problems

I just finished a Fabtech 8" lift on my 03 Superduty. The new front springs are longer than the stock ones. As a result the stock shackle hits the frame as soon as the suspension compresses. I could fix it by installing a new longer shackle or a shackle with a different cross piece, but I cannot find a manufacturer that makes a shackle for my truck. HELP!!!!!
 
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Old Apr 13, 2004 | 03:33 PM
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Is your blocker bar still installed? If it is, i'll bet that's what you're hitting. Remove it, but not the plastic air dam, and you'll be fine... Unless your bumper mounts to the blocker bar brace .... oh the fun.
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Old Apr 13, 2004 | 04:07 PM
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What's a blocker bar?
 
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Old Apr 13, 2004 | 04:19 PM
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CGL - The shackle is on the other end of the leaf springs.. towards the rear. The "blocker bar" is in the fornt. This wouldn't be his problem
 
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Old Apr 13, 2004 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 02superstroker
CGL - The shackle is on the other end of the leaf springs.. towards the rear. The "blocker bar" is in the fornt. This wouldn't be his problem
Duh.. I knew that. Thanks for the correction.
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Old Apr 13, 2004 | 07:17 PM
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the blocker bar. is ford's intrusion bar. it's to keep the rice from going under your truck. i had to remove mine with my leveling kit.

Tony
 
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Old Apr 14, 2004 | 12:42 PM
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What motor do you have?

Also, any chance of getting a pic that shows the angle of the shackle when the truck is parked on level ground?

ORU sells replacement shackles (for $50) that don't have the cross brace:
 
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Old Apr 14, 2004 | 12:57 PM
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DCSpecial, Thanks for the info. I will take some pictures tonight. It also upsets me that Fabtech did not bother responding to my e-mail. I was very nice even starting out by saying how great the kit went together and asking for solutions. Oh well, thats "Corporate America" for you.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2004 | 03:48 PM
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I forgot to answer your other question. I have a 6.0 PSD.
 
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Old Apr 15, 2004 | 06:50 PM
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OK DCSpecial, here are some links to pics of my shackle problem. In the second pic you can see where it hits the frame.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data...ts_078-med.jpg
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data...ts_081-med.jpg
 
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Old Apr 15, 2004 | 10:04 PM
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Looking at those pictures, I think you are still going to have contact wiith the frame under compression. Only it won't be the shackle hitting but instead the springs.

Are you sure that those springs are not mounted backwards? Cause I think they have an offset bolt if I remember right?
 
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Old Apr 15, 2004 | 10:07 PM
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What 02 said, and are you sure they sent you the correct springs?
 
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Old Apr 15, 2004 | 10:19 PM
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I agree that it appears to be something with the springs.

Can you verify the part numbers on the springs are the correct ones that should be for your truck?

It's hard to tell from the pics, but the military wrap is installed into the hanger correct?

Also, out of curiousity what does your truck measure from the top of the axle tube (front axle, passenger side, next to the spring perch) to the bottom of the frame rail (by the bumpstop)??
 
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Old Apr 15, 2004 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by 02superstroker
Looking at those pictures, I think you are still going to have contact wiith the frame under compression. Only it won't be the shackle hitting but instead the springs.

Are you sure that those springs are not mounted backwards? Cause I think they have an offset bolt if I remember right?
I don't think it matters if they are backwards or not. The axle would just be in a diff location.. Wrong springs???
 
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Old Apr 15, 2004 | 11:19 PM
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Ah good point, They must be wrong - What else might it be? Unless they were arched springs that got flattened out

Too weird... hopefully he will be by with the product numbers..
 
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