Rear leaf shackle rivet replacement
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Rear leaf shackle rivet replacement
i am doing some frame restoration work to my 1995 f-350...in the process i have to replace the rear leaf spring shackles (both front and rear mounts that are riveted to the frame).
the ford manual tells me to remove the rivets and replace with the next size larger grade 8 bolts.
OK....the rear shackles used a 7/16 rivet so i can drill out the frame to accept a 1/2" bolt. which the ford book calls out.
the front shackle used a 1/2" rivet (.490 to be exact). do I drill these out to 9/16? keep in mind the following:
the ford book has a chart that shows a 3/8" rivet to 7/16" bolt and a 7/16" rivet to 1/2" bolt. it does not call out a 1/2" rivet to 9/16" bolt. but there is a "blanket" statement that says, "replace rivets with the next size up grade 8 bolts". BUT, there is a statement that basicly says use caution on what holes you drill out as you could weaken the frame.
my personal opinion is a 1/2" grade 8 bolt should be adequate for the front shackles. but Im no ford engineer....so if anyone has replaced these....what did you use?
any ford tech's experiences or opinions?
thanks!
the ford manual tells me to remove the rivets and replace with the next size larger grade 8 bolts.
OK....the rear shackles used a 7/16 rivet so i can drill out the frame to accept a 1/2" bolt. which the ford book calls out.
the front shackle used a 1/2" rivet (.490 to be exact). do I drill these out to 9/16? keep in mind the following:
the ford book has a chart that shows a 3/8" rivet to 7/16" bolt and a 7/16" rivet to 1/2" bolt. it does not call out a 1/2" rivet to 9/16" bolt. but there is a "blanket" statement that says, "replace rivets with the next size up grade 8 bolts". BUT, there is a statement that basicly says use caution on what holes you drill out as you could weaken the frame.
my personal opinion is a 1/2" grade 8 bolt should be adequate for the front shackles. but Im no ford engineer....so if anyone has replaced these....what did you use?
any ford tech's experiences or opinions?
thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Topsfield, MA
Your being smart by fully examining the issue at hand (kudos to you sir)...but a fault of that sometimes is going overboard/being too specific....
My simple answer, if you use a grade 8 1/2" bolt...you'll be fine
My simple answer, if you use a grade 8 1/2" bolt...you'll be fine
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the rivets are usually deformed after they are installed with 5000 lbs of force.the holes in the frame are deformed sometimes also.we drill all the rivets for body mounts and leaf hangers when we build a truck.the holes are drilled out to half inch after the rivets are removed,be sure to get bolts that have a shank long enough so that none of the threads are touching the brackets or the frame.the threads will cut into the frame and elongate the hole.make sure to get a washer that is at least as thick as the bracket.if you have the means tig the washers to the bracket and the frame(use oil coat washers).and while your at it check the holes for the shackles.
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i figured the rivets get distorted. i measured several of them and found almost all of them to be different sizes.
good advice on the shank of the bolts and the washer sizes.
so those front shackles for the rear leafs....I will leave them 1/2" unless someone here says diffeferent. I can weld the washers to the chasis and shackle. I inteneded to tac-weld the nut to the bolt....because thats what the ford booked called out.
good stuff.....thanks for the input.
good advice on the shank of the bolts and the washer sizes.
so those front shackles for the rear leafs....I will leave them 1/2" unless someone here says diffeferent. I can weld the washers to the chasis and shackle. I inteneded to tac-weld the nut to the bolt....because thats what the ford booked called out.
good stuff.....thanks for the input.
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that leads me to my next question.....im new to restoring a frame....
should i put a coat of paint over the frame rails before I mount the new shackle brackets? or should i just install the brackets and spray the entire frame and brackets?
my initial guess is ford has all the part painted prior to assembly. with that said, i should probably paint everything seperate then install. i guess if i wanted to go nuts, i could put an extra coat over everything once itys all together.
then again, that might not be a good idea.
thoughts?
thanks again, you guys haqve been a big help.
should i put a coat of paint over the frame rails before I mount the new shackle brackets? or should i just install the brackets and spray the entire frame and brackets?
my initial guess is ford has all the part painted prior to assembly. with that said, i should probably paint everything seperate then install. i guess if i wanted to go nuts, i could put an extra coat over everything once itys all together.
then again, that might not be a good idea.
thoughts?
thanks again, you guys haqve been a big help.
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