I'm trying to replace my worn out shackle and leaf spring bushings with new prothane bushings. I have never done any type of suspension work before and I know there has to be some tips and tricks to making this easier than I am making it. I have taken the nuts off of the shackles and removed the shocks but not sure what my next step should be. The shackle bolts are in a tight location and I'm just not sure how to get them loose and out and if I should jack up the car. Can someone please give me a little direction? Thanks!

I know this is really long post but I hope it helps.
I prefer to jack the car up and support the car and rear axle on 4 jack stands. I use 2 under the car just in front of the front spring pocket and 2 to support the rear axle. Start by spraying all the fasteners with WD40. Loosen the nuts on the t-bolts or u-bolts, and remove. Then remove the bolts that hold in the front spring pocket and pull the bracket and front part of the spring down. Now remove the shackle bolts and pull the springs out from under the car. The rear bushings up in the frame rail are tricky some times. Some times you can just soak them with WD40 for awl and just pull them out with pliers. Other times you end up fighting all day just to get them out. The easiest way to get the bushings out of the rear spring eye are to drill several large holes around the end of the bushings, and let them soak with WD40. Then use a pliers to pull them out in pieces. If your careful you can take a propane torch and burn them out , but be very careful not to overheat the spring eyes. Remove the front bushings the same way. Clean the inside of the spring eyes and the frame rails with WD40 and a wire brush or sandpaper. Now you can start to install the new bushings. Make sure you use plenty of assembly grease around the bushings and on the ends as you install them to keep them from binding or squeaking. If you have a large vise you can use that to help press the bushings in one side at a time. If you don't have a large enough vise you can use a large mallet to pound the bushings in. (BE CAREFUL) To install the new bushings in the frame rails use some long 7/16" or 1/2" bolts about 7-8" long and some large washers to pull them into the frame rails. The bushings will bulge if they start to bind. If this happens stop loosen the bolt and try again. Don't force them in or you can cut the bushings. Once you have those in go ahead and grease the ends of the front bushings and mount them into the front spring pockets. Once the spring pockets are on you can start mounting springs. Start by loosely mounting the springs in the perches with the shock plates with the front spring brackets where they need to be. Don't worry about having the new pads in yet just use it to help hold the springs. Bolt up the spring brackets with the springs at @ 4*. Then mount the shackles to the frame loosely. Take the shock plats off again. Install the spring pads and bolt the rear spring into the shackles leaving the loose still. Now go back and finish bolting up the shock plates, and tighten the t-bolts/u-bolts down. Lower the car so the wait is on the wheels and tighten everything up in place. Check and make sure you got every thing. Take the car for a SLOW test drive around the block making several left and right turns or find a parking lot. Then go back home and re-torque everything down one more time.

Bolt torque specs ft lb's
Front spring eye bolt 65-80
Front spring bracket bolts 20-30
Spring retainer 35-45 (t-bolt/u-bolt)
Shackle bolts 40-60

Thanks HarleyD67, Thanks for taking the time to break it down for me. It is greatly appreciated.

Freeze your poly bushings overnight to shrink them a schosh so they will go in easier.

Onna the guys said to do this is how I found out about doing it...

pdq67

No problem. Glad I could help. Good luck. :thumbsup: