Are there any how-tos on here about replacing shackles, preferably with pix? I ran a search but couldnt find one. Thanks.

 

Ive got one for a 2 door which has a few extra steps since one of their shackles is blocked by the gas tank...but the general idea is the same

http://www.zr2usa.com/mboard/index.php?showtopic=14200

 

Thanks!

 

got the bolt replaced.

 

I had the exact same problem when I was tryin to put shackles on my Blazer. Same bolt too. Tried everything from drenching it in PB blaster for days, pneumatic tools, I called it quits after smashing the s*** outta my thumb with a hammer. Never did get around to lifting it after that.

 

How did it work? i need to do my shackles because they are rusted with Hugh holes and i don't see how they are still supporting the weight lol but when that time comes i will be replacing it with new leafs and a 2" shackle

 

I had the very same problem with the bolts, my advice would be try to get them out before you get your shackles. If you can't then there is a few ways to go. Torch the bolt(could and probably will work), get a shop to do it(weak), my method was angle grinder to cut the bolt, small drill to drill out the rubber from the bushing, hacksaw for the outter sleeve and hit it out with a flathead. Seems like a crappy way to go but if I just did that instead of messing around with that stubborn bolt it would have took me 25 minutes per side instead of all day pondering how to get the bolt out.

Of course I live in the east coast of Canada and they salt the roads heavily so my bolts were rusted in pretty good. By the looks of a lot of the trucks in the USA you may not have to go through what I did, either way it gets the job done and depending on the tools you have that may not be such a bad idea. Preorder some energy suspension bushings and you're good to go.