Ok guys, went to put my new fabtech 2" shackles last night on my 03 ZR2 Blazer and ran into a problem...the gas tank. Do you have to drop it or at least unbolt and shift it to get the bolts out of the old shackles?My bolts are turned with the head of each bolt on the inside of the frame so it has to come out toward the gas tank.

Also, do you think I should get new bushings for each side while I'm at it? The left side seems stuck anyways, so we will see. If so, how much are they?

 

I didn't have to drop the tank but I did have to drop the tank shield. I didn't have a problem with the bushings so can't really help you there.

 

Thanks AJ. Did you have anything else done to yours before this? Bodylift, different shocks etc? I dropped my tank shield too but there was not enough room to get them out...what the hell??? Surely mine isn't different, even if my shocks were shot it should not make a difference in that, should it? Could something be causing the rear to be lower than it should? Would it even matter?

 

Good question NSCWP!! I was considering doing 2" shackles on my 04' 2dr LS. I did look at that tank being an issue. Kinda was looking for a post on this. Someone out here has to of ran into this problem. I wish I had an answer for ya.

 

I did the shackles before the body lift. I lifted each side separately when I did mine rather than lifting the entire rear end together.

Maybe that might help?

 

when i did my shackles i cut the old ones out with a sawzall and torched the bolts i also bought new bushings they came in a set for 60 bucks 4 spring eye bushings and the frame shackle bushings they came from energy suspensions i also bought new bolts you should be able to get them from about any hardware store if they dont have the metric size just get 9/16 bolts thats what i used
if you decide to cut your bolts when you put the new ones in put them in the oppisite way

 

I think I might have to cut mine too. I gave the stuck one another go after I've sprayed it down with oil several times, including before going 4 wheeling since the last time I tryed it. Well...this time I got the bolt to turn, and the bushing was turning with it, but not all the way. Then I sprayed it, finally got to where the bolt was turning, still with quite some pressure, but not turning the bushing with it. The bolt still won't come out, it doesn't back/thread out at all, it won't budge while being hit with a punch or air hammer from the backside, I guess I might have to cut them, I really don't won't to though, I don't want heat near my leafs...any other ideas people? I think my bolts and/or shackle might be bent, I've seen that problem before with others peoples blazers.

 

i had to cut my bolts out, drill a guide for a gear puller and push the bolt out.

 

it dosent take much heat you dont have to worry about tempering your leaf steel just cut the shackles with a sawzall then take a small handheld propane torch heat the rubber till it starts smoldering and take a pry bar and pop her out its a piece of cake i have heard of guys drilling out the rubber also

 

I used the method on here that drills out the rubber and then push out the bushing, very simple and no smell, it was like 10-15 min per side after i cut the bolts off