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Bri887
Dodge Dakota
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6/25/2004
21:33:10
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 Subject: tips on installing shackles and hangers?
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I have a 99 Dakota. I am lowering 3-5 DJM. This will be my first big project on it. I am just gon to do the back end and let my mechanic do the front end. I will use a grinding wheel to take out the rivets. Just wondering if you guys have anymore tips on this. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!
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Haligan9
Dodge Dakota
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6/25/2004
22:53:26
|  RE: tips on installing shackles and hangers?
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Buy alot of grinding wheels. I did mine with a plazma cutter, then ground the slag off. Some of the rivets still wouldn't come out. What worked for me was to drill a large hole throught the rivet to give it some room to collapse then they can be driven out with a large punch. It was the front hanger rivets that gave me the most trouble.
Also be very very careful with the front driver's side hanger. You are very close to the gas tank and filler neck.
My other source of frustration was un bolting the springs from the old hangers. I ended up taking the springs with the hangers still attached to a machine shop to have the bolts pressed out. Then I had to find new spring bolts. It's a 9/16 x 4 1/2 grade 8 bolt, very tough to find. I was lucky enough to have a spring shop here in town that stocks them it was the only place I could find them.
It's a ton of work but it's worth it. If you feel confident enough to take on the rear you can handle the front it's not too hard. Dealing with the coil spring is the worse part. If you have a good jack and stands it's not bad. Remember to have the front end aligned after everything is done. The front toe will be way out after your done. GOOD LUCK!!!
Hal
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Bri887
Dodge Dakota
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6/25/2004
23:31:51
| RE: tips on installing shackles and hangers?
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thanks Hal. After that tho it sounds pretty difficult to do. I might just take it to a mechanic and let him do all the work. It will just set me back a few bucks. There are only a few things i do not know about. Like the hangers in the front. When you buy from djm, do you get total new everything and then do they just bolt on and use none of the old parts? thanks
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Haligan9
Dodge Dakota
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6/26/2004
00:39:19
| RE: tips on installing shackles and hangers?
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The front will be new lower control arms. They are complete control arms. you unbolt the old lower c/a and bolt in the new one. you will reuse your spring, tierod ends, upper c/a, spindle etc..you have to do a little prep work to them b4 you install them but it's real simple..
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