Mechanic secret to remove those rusty shackle bolts

By doing this trick you are using the shackle, the hanger, and washers to make a press

#shorts
#mechanic

[autotechmike]

Good tip. If it's stuck I'll cut both ends off flush cause most times I'm replacing shackles anyway

[B.Badgernath]

Well damn that's a great idea, thank you.

[fabiololstein]

I know this is old. If you read this try using brake fluid on seized nuts and bolts it works better than any penetrating oil I've every seen. The thought behind it makes sense. Brake fluid is hydroscopic so is made to pull moisture. That's why if you leave it un capped for 5 minutes you should throw it away.

[Intimidator]

Tried that with my old springs, the whole bushing spun inside the steel sleeve inside the spring eye. Zip cut and a hydraulic press was the only option

[georgekalafatis]

Put a little grease on the threads too because I got in a hurry one time and stripped everything out

[nickhiller]

Nice move, I normally cut the head and use the air hammer, but I will try this next time for sure!

[codycastricone]

Lots of penetrating oil then hit both sides until loose. Worked great for me

[rudypadilla]

Never knew that trick in over 40 yrs of wrenching 👍. I’ll pass the tip over to my sons

[wrifraff]

Must be nice to work on something that clean!

[garrettchapman]

As a mechanic.. this is absolutely genuis❤.good tip

[Mike]

Yes, but it ain't gonna work on the trucks from down south. If you have a vehicle you really like up here in the "salt" belt you gotta put it away for the winter.

[kenstein]

If this doesn't work, you can use a harbor freight 96718 hydraulic knockout punch tool with some fabricobbled adapters (a piece of pipe of the right diameter, a heavy washer or 5, and a 3/4-16 adapter to whatever thread the leaf bolt uses) to draw it out without having to deal with the rusty threads any further than you did getting the nut off.

[brad]

That is a very legit tip. Thanks. And definitely useful for more than just shackles too. Anything with a rubber bushing that has a thru bolt and nut.

[Michael-pgsm]

Never thought about doing it that way, thanks!!

[endless_potatoes]

Gonna try this at the junkyard, thanks for the tip

[zack-gm]

This will definitely come in handy. Its such a simple idea that its easy to forget that you can use fun little tricks like this.

[DriftingDragon]

This is one of my most used and favorite tips for fellow mechanics.

[carmo]

Great idea if the bushing is sound, if not the bushing will need replacing anyway and the torch or sawzall the bolt. Love the concept.

[allisterjackson]

I did it about a year ago, worked perfect

[tractorboy]

Both of my trks i dont need to worry about springs anymore. My 97 f350 when i bought it the one hanger was gone so i cut all 4 hangers off and put new main springs and shackles and u bolts. My 13 gmc 1500 a secondary spring was broke so i did new heavier springs shackles and u bolts but the arch gave trk little butt lift i didnt care for so i bought 2wd 2" leveling kit and installed. But on 1500 i didnt like the bolts going out instead of in. The shackle to spring bolt you technically needed to take out shackle/ spring as unit