Has there been a write up on installing these? I know it's only two bolts but what I'm concerned about is do you raise the truck up with a jack under the axle and then support the frame then lower the axle to full droop or do you leave the springs at rest with the weight of the truck on them? In other words, how do you unload the springs so when the bolts are removed it does not go BOING? The instructions I got with them are very vague. Do you also have to remove the lower shock bolt?

 

I'm gonna be doing the same thing as soon as mine get here.

Removing the Shock bolt won't hurt, but usually they will droop enough
for the springs to sag on their own. I'm not 100% farmiliar with the Dakota
shock travel specs, so I'll leave that up to you, however I know I don't plan
on touching mine unless I have to.


So here's a basic guideline of installing new shackles.

1: Loosen Nuts on both shackle bolts. Sometimes its easier to break
Torque before you get too involved. (Do both shackles on this step)

2: Jack up vehicle by frame until wheels are no longer on the ground.
Put jack stands under frame.

3: Put Jack under differential of rear axle. Raise jack slightly to make
contact and support its weight.

4: Remove Nuts from Shackle bolts. Attempt to remove which ever
bolt is easier from shackle. Ensure you have the axle mildly supported
as not to preload the spring. You want zero tension on the springs
when removing the bolt.

5: Finish fighting with bolt. Go change shorts and have a beverage
as the bolt was probably stuck and you did have a tiny bit of preload
on the springs.

6: Remove other bolt. Sometimes a hammer is necessary to remove
Stuck bolts as the rubber bushings actually get caught into the
threads of the bolt making it stick.

7: Once old shackle is removed, clean mounting surfaces and bolt.
Grease bolt liberally as well as mounting surfaces. This will make it
a bit easier to install.

8: Install Shackle to frame. do NOT tighten Bolt!! Connect other end
of shackle to spring.

NOTE: On some vehicles it is necessary to drop BOTH shackles
before reinstalling to avoid binding, HOWEVER, sometimes this will
push the springs/axle off center and make it just as hard to connect
both sides as it would have been to just connect the one side.

9: once both shackles are installed (nuts loose but not tightened)
Flex the suspension by dropping the jack, then raising it till the
Frame is just barely off the jackstands. Lower back onto jack stands.

10: Tighten Bolts. Be sure not to over tighten. Repeat the Flex test
to ensure You didn't over tighten and impede proper suspension
travel.

11: Remove Truck from jack stands and remove jack. Test drive vehicle
BEFORE having a celebratory beer. Admire and don't forget to take
pics before, durring and after the install.

 

Here is a GM DIY thread and its really similar.
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/inde...c=81575&st=105

 

kewl beans....so you cant really have this thing just jacked up on a lift when doing this is that what i'm gathering here?

 

so you just have to guess at it really....lol

 

not guess, you just have to feel where its at. you need the axle drooped so there's no tension on the springs, but you also need its weight supported on a jack so you don't just pull the bolt and watch it drop.

its kind of a feel type thing. not really to hard, you just have to pay attention and be aware of what your doin....

so when are you actually planning on doing your spring drop? (I'll probably end up doin mine sunday....

 

either Saturday or Sunday I'll give it another shot. I got the bottom bolt about half way out last weekend but it was so freaking tight I was afraid something was going to come unsprung and mess something up. Also the top bolt, the nut is on the outside of the shackle so it has to come out on the frame side and there is only an inch or so clearance so I don't know how it comes out.

 

Well if you get stuck on it saturday, I'll be doin mine on sunday...