Shackle replacement to fix squeak in leaf springs

Hey guys, after doing a bit of research on the insane squeak out of my OME Dakar leaf springs, it seems that replacing the bushings on the leaf spring shackles is the way to go.

Looking at some of the threads, it seems much easier to buy new shackles than to get those damn bushings out...

My question then: Is this an opportunity to get a better shackle? What should I be looking at if so?

I have OME BP-51’s and the leafs as I mentioned so I don’t need more lift, but more travel is always appreciated.

 

Ome squeak is more then just bushings you have to grease between the leafs to make them silent for a little while

 

When does the squeak normally occur? I too am having this issue, except my leafs are factory. Mine squeak like crazy, especially while driving on a trail.

 

I’ve greased those as well, and the yellow bushings that come with the OME leaf pack. They only thing not greased is the bushing/bolt in the drop shackle cause it seems it’s near impossible to get out (from what I’ve read)

 

Occurs whenever I hit a decent bump or with any flexing.

I’ve gotten by with using WD40 Silicone spray (not the regular stuff), for a while. I just spray it all up in there... between all the leafs, bushings, etc. it usually works for a couple weeks but always comes back as the liquid makes it’s way out.
Mostly it’s been good for diagnosing exactly where my squeak is. I’m just tired of doing it every other week and want a more permanent solution.

 

I know it is advised NOT to spray shit in the leaf springs because it acts as a trap for more junk to get caught in whatever is squeaking. Even though it provides short term relief it only makes the problem worse.

I too want to know a solution to leaf spring squeak. I've asked what bushing and silencers I should purchase because apparently there are better ones than OEM, I just don't know which ones those are.

 

I’m not 100% sure about OEM, but I had a long conversation with ARB about their Dakar leafs. Based on that info I was able to get the squeak out of almost everything (but not everything, hence my post).

The squeak generally comes from any of three locations:
1. The pads between leafs
2. The bushings on the leafs
3. The bushings on the drop shackles

1. Solved by either taking apart the leafs and greasing the pads with a silicone grease. Note, this needs to be a thick grease, not a liquid. A work around to taking apart the leafs is lifting the vehicle and using a pry bar to make enough space to get grease all up in there. This is what I did, seems to have solved the squeak in that location.

2. The are the yellow bushings you get on the OME leaf pack, they’re easy to remove when you pull out the leaf pack. Use the same silicone grease as above to grease inside/out. This was also a problem area for me, I greased and it helped.

3. These are the bushings in the drop shackles that attach the leaf springs to the frame. It seems like the bushing/inner bolt is freaking impossible to remove without damaging it. Cant remove, can’t properly grease. So this is where I am in the process and am thinking about just buying new/better shackles.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, I used a liquid silicone that helped for just a bit, but it did help me in diagnosing *exactly* where my squeaks were.

 

This stuff is the most thick suspension grease I know of. Sticks to everything and lasts forever. Energy suspension grease.

 

Where did you jack your vehicle up to droop the leafs to separate them?

 

From my rear bumper (I have a steel bumper)

Lifting it doesn’t separate the leafs, it just made some easier to pry apart. I did what I could without lifting it, then lifted and did others. Some were easier one way or the other. Getting the pry bar in there when it’s lifted was tough but they came apart a bit easier. If you try it you’ll discover how much of a jerry rig it is lol. A big help is having two pry bars and using them together to finagle more space. You can also use a popsicle stick to help get the grease in there.

I said the above for all the stock leaf guys... OME actually has grease-able pads so you can just get in there with a grease gun. I discovered this after prying them apart of course.

This wasn’t really my main issue, I only really greased 4 pads this way, so it may or may not work for you depending on exactly what’s squeaking.