On my 56 Ford the rear shackles are in what I would call a "down" position. I think they should be in the UP position. I don't know why they would be reversed. Is it for the look? Is it because the springs are worn/lost tension? If I put them back the other way, which I would like to do, how much drop will I notice? A couple of inches would be OK, I think, but I don't want any more. Anyone have an idea on this? I recall a thread about this at some time, but can't find it. Thanks Jim
The shackle should normally be up from the mount. The spring would be above the rear mount. The shackle was "popped" as we said back in the day normally to give the ride a nose down rake. That would mean that the spring was not below the "C" shaped mount. I believe about 2" but am not sure. It is likely that the rubber has been ripped if the shackle bolts were not removed. We used a crow bar to pop them back then. Did know or care about the rubber at the time. Now, with our experience and many years later, we now know better. I hope this helps a bit.
2". I just had to flip mine back after I put them in upside-down. Took longer to jack the car up and put it on jack stands than it did to flip the shackles back.
What 56ford390 said, except this is the first I've heard about flipping the springs ruining the rubber. When I ***embled my rear, they seemed to rotate pretty freely. Mine were all new though. I'm not 100% sure, but when I was installing my new differential, springs, etc., it seems like the shackle needed some help to rotate towards the front so it would end up in the "over" position. I suspect occationally, guys raise their cars by the frames, letting the axle drop (particularly with no shocks, as mine was, and end up with the shackles in the wrong "down" position unintentionally. If the bushings are worn, as in the originals, they're probably shot anyway.
The bushings, back in the day, were dry. Being in school, there was little $$$ available, so if the ripped, so be it, at the time.
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