Paveltolz
Доверяй, но проверяй
Thought I would share yet another lesson learned from experience born of ignorance or complacency.
Issue. Driver's side shackle failed dynamically and split at the leaf spring on one side, apparently some time ago and then, over time, the other side failed as would be expected.
Background. I purchased the truck four years ago and it was apparent that it had been used for construction. Apparently the PO had hit something with the right front as it wouldn't take an alignment no matter what. To get a "lift" they also fully cranked the torsion bars and included an 'add-a-leaf' to ensure the ball joints self destructed.
I thought I did the right thing by replacing everything between the inside of the rims and raising it "correctly" with an El Rancho 3" Rough Country kit. The rear springs were shot, a couple were cracked so BDS 4" inch springs were added and connected up with the stock shackles. Unfortunately, this gave the rear end a jacked up effect instead of an even 3" lift on all four corners. Additionally, the Torsion bars had spun or rounded off inside their sockets so those were replaced with a set from a 2500. Surprisingly, the ride was quite good. Except for the constant right pull.
Three plus years of steering correction and finally one shop figured it out, pulled the front end out where it was supposed to be and after that I had to fight not to pull the truck into the left lane out of habit of correcting the right side pull.
Point. I hadn't paid any real attention to the rear suspension like one does with the front end.
Because of the front end damage, apparently the shackle(s) were subjected to too much lateral stesses instead of mainly just the vertical stresses it was designed to take. Like bending a coat hanger or any other piece of metal, eventually, it's going to let go.
So, since I hadn't conducted any rear suspension checks over the years, I set myself up for failure.
One side broke clean.
The other cracked, slowly tore "along the dotted line" and eventually let go...
You can see how the bolt hole is oval instead of round on the torn side and here is a closer shot of it.
With a little bit of attention, the occasional inspection, like when greasing the front end, I would have at least caught the break, certainly the tearing and saved myself the new dent/dimple in the bed of my truck.
Fortunately the other shackle appeared to be undamaged but I replaced them both with aftermarket units from Summit which ared designed to lower the truck a bit so now it rides level.:thumbsup:
Another series of steps down life's paths, the ones strewn mainly with pain.:hello:
Issue. Driver's side shackle failed dynamically and split at the leaf spring on one side, apparently some time ago and then, over time, the other side failed as would be expected.
Background. I purchased the truck four years ago and it was apparent that it had been used for construction. Apparently the PO had hit something with the right front as it wouldn't take an alignment no matter what. To get a "lift" they also fully cranked the torsion bars and included an 'add-a-leaf' to ensure the ball joints self destructed.
I thought I did the right thing by replacing everything between the inside of the rims and raising it "correctly" with an El Rancho 3" Rough Country kit. The rear springs were shot, a couple were cracked so BDS 4" inch springs were added and connected up with the stock shackles. Unfortunately, this gave the rear end a jacked up effect instead of an even 3" lift on all four corners. Additionally, the Torsion bars had spun or rounded off inside their sockets so those were replaced with a set from a 2500. Surprisingly, the ride was quite good. Except for the constant right pull.
Three plus years of steering correction and finally one shop figured it out, pulled the front end out where it was supposed to be and after that I had to fight not to pull the truck into the left lane out of habit of correcting the right side pull.
Point. I hadn't paid any real attention to the rear suspension like one does with the front end.
Because of the front end damage, apparently the shackle(s) were subjected to too much lateral stesses instead of mainly just the vertical stresses it was designed to take. Like bending a coat hanger or any other piece of metal, eventually, it's going to let go.
So, since I hadn't conducted any rear suspension checks over the years, I set myself up for failure.
One side broke clean.
The other cracked, slowly tore "along the dotted line" and eventually let go...
You can see how the bolt hole is oval instead of round on the torn side and here is a closer shot of it.
With a little bit of attention, the occasional inspection, like when greasing the front end, I would have at least caught the break, certainly the tearing and saved myself the new dent/dimple in the bed of my truck.
Fortunately the other shackle appeared to be undamaged but I replaced them both with aftermarket units from Summit which ared designed to lower the truck a bit so now it rides level.:thumbsup:
Another series of steps down life's paths, the ones strewn mainly with pain.:hello:
