Many light trucks and sport utility vehicles utilize a leaf spring rear suspension. The rear drive axle is attached directly to and is supported by the leaf springs, which are attached directly to the vehicle’s frame via spring shackles. Some vehicles with rear leaf springs have a high load height, which is necessary to allow for suspension compression when the vehicle is loaded. However, if you desire a low ride height when empty, installation of drop shackles will lower the rear of your vehicle for a more stylish look.
Chock the front wheels of your vehicle. Raise the rear of the vehicle with a hydraulic floor jack. Place jack stands under each side of the rear frame rails near the axle housing. Lower the floor jack so that the rear weight of the vehicle is being supported by the jack stands.
Place the floor jack under the driver's side axle housing. Raise the axle housing with the jack slightly, so as to take the weight of the housing from the leaf spring.
Locate the rear leaf spring shackle which connects the rear of the leaf spring to the rear frame rail. Spray penetrating fluid on the shackle bolts and nuts and let it soak in for a few minutes. Place a suitable wrench on the shackle bolt. Place a socket and ratchet on the retaining nut and remove it in a counterclockwise direction. Repeat this procedure for the remaining shackle bolt and nut.
Pull the bolts from the shackle and leaf spring. Lower the stock shackle from the vehicle. Install the new drop shackle using the original bolts, nuts and mounting holes. Move the axle housing upward to line up the mounting holes by raising the floor jack slightly, if needed.
Tighten the shackle bolts and nuts, but do not over-tighten as this may cause the shackle to bind. Check a repair manual for your specific vehicle to obtain the torque wrench values and tighten the shackle bolts to the torque specified, if desired.
Lower the floor jack and move it to the passenger side of the vehicle. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to install the remaining drop shackle.
Raise the rear of the vehicle and remove the jack stands. Lower the floor jack and remove it from under the vehicle. Remove the wheel chocks.
