I am a 17 year old kid who just recently purchased a 2001 cherokee. I'm trying to install a Daystar shackle and spacer lift. I have found that when trying to remove the stock shackle from the frame the metal sleeve over the bolt is either seized or rusted on preventing it from being removed by just unscrewing. i tried using every rust remover out there (i think) and have run out of ideas. i really need to get this done because i have no way to get around now! if anyone had any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Jeff.

 

heat or cut the head and see if you can punch it out

 

did you try PB blaster? i used a trick that worked well for me with stubborn bolts. get a breaker bar(or jack handle) and use a floor jack on the end of the bar. much more force you can put on it under your own human power.

 

yeah i tried PB Blaster. worked somewhat. the frame has threads which the bolt screws into. when i try to unscrew it the metal of the frame on the bolt head sid gets pulled outwards because it is stuck between the bolt head and the sleeve.

 

Do you have the rear jacked up? if not to so it will let your suspension drop and give you some room. Use a long breaker bar and go at it slow and smooth. The bolt going through the shackle tying it to the unibody has nut welded to the inside of the uni. You break that weld your going up creek with no paddle. Happened to me. Had to cut into the uni, re weld the nut and continue. Added about and hour to the some what easy job.
keep us posted.

 

I'm prety sure that the sleve is seized around the bolt. There is no real way to break it loose unless you can grab the sleve with some vice grips. If that won't work i'm affraid that you will have to cut it. I had the same thing happen to me on my drivers front leaf spring bolt. It also broke the nut inside the frame loose on its way out, so I had to cut a hole in the bottom to feed a new nut through. Good luck!

 

I'm prety sure that the sleve is seized around the bolt. There is no real way to break it loose unless you can grab the sleve with some vice grips. If that won't work i'm affraid that you will have to cut it. I had the same thing happen to me on my drivers front leaf spring bolt. It also broke the nut inside the frame loose on its way out, so I had to cut a hole in the bottom to feed a new nut through. Good luck!

 

thats funny im having the same problem with my 2000xj trying to get the old shackles removed i pounded the sh^t out of it and nothing, charging up the battery on the sawzaw and going after it tomorrow

 

Good luck with it keep us posted I installed 3 inch aal and you guessed it rear end is sagging. Thinking I will add some extened shackels till I can afford new springs.

 

Great. Sounds like I have fun to look forward to when I do mine.

 

gotta love our jeeps

 

I am facing the same issue right now. I finally after lots of PB blaster and working the bolt in and out a little at a time I was able to get the bolt free from the nut but now it seems stuck in the darn shackle. I tried using a pry bar and small sledge. Anybody have a suggestion or will I be forced to cut through the bolt?

 

IF its part way out.. cut the bolt, you will have to use a new bolt anyways.

 

Well they are both out, the metal sleeve inside the shackle bushing worked its way out with the bolt and caused a slightly larger opening on the shackle mount. I just added a larger washer before re-installing the bolt.