Greasable Shackles & Bushes with Fitting Position Front Axle, Rear Axle

On a leaf sprung rear end, the shackles, fixed pins and bushes do a lot of quiet work. They let each leaf spring flex and change length as the suspension moves, while keeping the rear axle located under the vehicle. Greasable shackles and pins have grease nipples, so the bushes can be relubricated during servicing without pulling the suspension apart.

What Are Greasable Shackles?

A leaf spring is usually mounted to the chassis at two points. At one end, a fixed pin passes through the spring eye and a bush, locating the spring to a hanger on the chassis. At the other end, a shackle (a short swinging link) connects the spring to the chassis, so the spring can lengthen and shorten as it compresses and extends. Bushes at each pivot point allow movement while controlling it.

Standard shackles and pins are typically plain bolts or pins. Greasable shackles and greasable pins (also spelt greaseable) are drilled with internal passages and fitted with grease nipples. When grease is pumped in, it travels to the bush surfaces where the pin or shackle bolt pivots. This gives a way of relubricating leaf spring bushes and shackle bushes from the outside as part of routine maintenance.

Why Shackles, Pins and Leaf Spring Bushes Wear

Shackles, pins and bushes sit low on the vehicle, close to the wheels, where they're exposed to water, mud, dust, sand and road grime. Over time, contamination and corrosion can work their way into the pivot points. Bushes can dry out, wear, crack or deform, and pins and shackles can corrode.

Greasable Shackle and Bush Kits

This category lists rear leaf spring kits for selected vehicles. Kit contents vary, so check the components list on each product page.

Complete Greasable Shackle, Pin and Bush Kits

Complete kits replace the shackles, fixed pins and bushes at the rear leaf springs in one job. A typical complete kit includes two greasable shackles, two greasable fixed pins, twelve bushings and two tubes. Some kits include extra parts, such as a fixed pin protection cap, and installation instructions are available to download from many product pages.

Replacing the shackles, pins and bushes together means all the pivot points at the rear springs are refreshed at the same time, rather than fitting new bushes to worn or corroded hardware.

Front Eye Bushing and Greasable Pin Kits

Front eye bushing and greaseable pin kits focus on the front eye of the leaf spring, where the spring mounts to the fixed hanger. They're an option when the front eye bushes and pin need attention, or alongside a separate shackle kit.

Signs Your Shackles or Bushes Need Attention

Worn or dry shackles, pins and leaf spring bushes can contribute to:

• squeaking, creaking or clunking from the rear of the vehicle, particularly over bumps or when the suspension flexes
• a vague or wandering feel from the rear, especially when loaded or towing
• the rear of the vehicle shifting or feeling unsettled under heavy braking
• visible cracking, splitting or deformed bushes, or rust and movement at the shackles and pins.

Other components can cause similar symptoms, including worn shock absorbers, sagging or broken leaf springs, loose U-bolts, or worn sway bar or chassis bushes. Have the suspension inspected by a qualified technician to confirm what needs replacing before ordering parts.

Greasing and Maintenance

The point of greasable shackles and pins is that they can be serviced. Follow the instructions supplied with your kit for the type of grease to use and how often to grease it. Vehicles that regularly drive on beaches, through water crossings, in dusty conditions or on corrugated roads may benefit from more frequent greasing.

When greasing, wipe the grease nipples clean first so dirt isn't pushed into the bush. Pump grease in until it begins to appear around the bush, then wipe away the excess. If a nipple won't accept grease, have it checked rather than forcing it. Including the shackles and pins in your regular service routine helps keep the bushes lubricated between inspections.

Choosing the Right Greasable Shackle Kit

Greasable shackle and pin kits are specific to the vehicle and the leaf spring setup. Before ordering:

• Vehicle search. Find the kits listed for your vehicle.
• Kit contents. Check whether you need a complete shackle, pin and bush kit, or a front eye bushing and pin kit.
• Suspension changes. If your vehicle has a lift, aftermarket leaf springs or other suspension changes, confirm that the kit suits your setup. Lifted vehicles may need different shackles from those in a standard-height kit.
• Other parts. Consider the condition of the leaf springs, U-bolts and shock absorbers, as replacing worn parts at the same time can help you get the result you're after.

If you're not sure what your vehicle needs, a free suspension check is a good place to start.

Fitting with Click & Fit

Choose Click & Fit at checkout to buy your greasable shackle kit online and have it fitted at a Fulcrum workshop. Your parts are delivered to the workshop and an installation date is booked with you.

Buy Greasable Shackles from Fulcrum

Our full suspension bushes range covers the rest of the leaf sprung rear end and the front suspension too.

Greasable shackles and pins are one part of keeping a leaf sprung rear end in good condition. Start with the vehicle search to find the greasable shackle kits listed for your vehicle.