Hillbilly66

On my 92 W250, I have a 4 inch skyjacker lift. Here lately I've been hearing an abnormal noise when turning on occasion. I had a little time this morning and did a quick visual check of gearbox adapter plate, front end components, and such. I noticed that the rear of the front springs, on both sides are resting against the frame. Not sure if I should be concerned about this, or how to resolve this without new springs....

Springs have been on truck about about three years, and 40K miles, and I'm quite certain that I had clearance between the spring and frame when they were installed.

Any and all comments, concerns, and or suggestions are welcome. Thanks all.

mknittle

I have seen stock springs do that too. How are the bushings?

Hillbilly66

Bushings in springs appear to be good just looking at them, they are the red poly bushings that came with springs. Hard to say condition of those in the frame without taking it all apart. As far as I know those bushings are factory.

oliver foster

My '85 crew with 6 inch Skyjacker lift springs started to to that.
I made up a set of 1/2 inch longer shackles and installed them years ago.
Problem solved.

Hillbilly66

I was wondering about longer shackles, just didn't know how much longer, or if it would help. Thanks.
What did you use to make yours with? I'm thinking something along the lines of 1/4 inch flat stock, but I dont know if that would work or not.

oliver foster

I can't remember off the top of my head, but I made them extra sturdy. It might have even been 5/16 or 3/8 flat stock. I just cut them, then drilled them out while they where all spot welded and stacked together, so the holes where perfect. I then rounded out the edges and painted them up. It gave me a little more wheel travel and kept the springs from getting anywhere close to hitting the frame. I would try to keep the longer shackles as short as you can so they don't mess with the angle of the front axle.

Hillbilly66

Thanks Oliver. I do appreciate it. I will look at my flat stock and see what I can come up with.

mknittle

I made my shackles 5/8" longer.

Hillbilly66

I just measured them. Looks like they are roughly 4.25 inch center on the holes. I was thinking of going 5 inch center. I have a set that I didn't use from my K5 build that I have held onto, if I recall correctly they are more of a boomerang shape, and 5.5 inch center on the holes. What are y'alls thoughts on those? I think that may be too long. Not sure how I feel on thus angled shackles. That might be why I didn't use them on the K5.

bigragu

Landen, NAPA and Orileys carry this universal lift kit. I had the same problem, and this fixed it piece of cake. I went to the first hole and sheared off the rest.
Part #13-4000.

Hillbilly66

Thanks Augie, I thought I had seen something like that the last time I was in the parts house. I'm going to try and find the ones I have and see what they do, before I go buy another set.

bigragu

Have had this on for almost 9 years. No additional sag of the springs. At the time, I went to a spring recurve shop in Sacramento, and they wanted an arm and a leg to have them re-arched. $1200!!. I could have probably bought new springs for that amount. This shackle kit, I was unsure of at first, but told myself it was cheap enough to try and see if it cured the problem. Well, so far so good, and did not affect my front drive line at all as far as over extending it.
I believe this shackle kit was like $20.

bigragu

Landen, you want me to check the center to center measurement to see if it jives with what you're going to put in?

Geno's Garage carries the replacement bushings for the front springs, and I believe they are the red colored poly ones, can't remember the manufacturer that specializes in those aftermarket poly bushings at the moment

mknittle

Energy Suspension and Prothane come to mind.

Hillbilly66

That would be great if you could get that Augie.

I honestly don't remember what mine are it's been a while since I've looked at them, all I remember for sure is they look something like this.