Leaf spring shackle pin bolts and a lathe - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

65 wonton · 09-10-2013, 07:56 PM

When removing the rear end, I somehow misplaced one of the bolts that hold the shackle pins in place for the rear leaf springs. Six are needed and I came up with 5. So, I broke out my trusty LMC catalog and found that they could be ordered for about $6 and shipped for another $8. Or there-abouts. I could drive down and pick them up but I didn't need to go to that area for any other reason and its about a 2 hour drive.

But I do have a lathe and a 1/2" bolt I cut the head off of for some reason or other. First I checked to make sure this bolt wasn't hardened. Nope, a file cuts it easily.

I'm not a machinist but here is how I did it. I miked (I could have used calipers, but a micrometer feels more machinistismo) the original and turned the bolt down to the larger diameter.

I then miked the threaded section and turned it down.

The threads are 5/16-24. So, I set up the gears for 24 tpi (cutting edge lathe don't need no quick change gearbox) and cut the threads so that the nut threaded on smoothly. I took a file (don't know if it was a bastard or not 'cause I never met its mother or father) and cut the flat so that it closely assumed the shape of the original.

$1,800 - $14 = $1,786

I'll have this lathe paid off in no time flat.

Dave, slowly starting to work on the Big Red Dog.

**aerotruk63** · 09-10-2013, 08:15 PM

That turned out great, gotta love when something turns out that well.

**bhc41051** · 09-10-2013, 09:01 PM

You're way ahead of the game. I guarantee the part you made fit's better than the LMC version. I bought one from LMC, luckily I found the one I misplaced and the LMC one was tossed.

65 wonton · 09-10-2013, 11:23 PM

aerotruk63

Yeah one win every now and then goes a long way.

bhc41051

If I had known, I could have ordered a complete set from Eaton when I ordered the bushings. I didn't find out I was missing one until months later. Well, now.

Dave.

*Sharps40* · 09-11-2013, 05:18 AM

And the humor is spot on...nothing like amortizing the infrastructure! And, no Chinese Laborors starved due to the making of this new part or thread!

65 wonton · 09-11-2013, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharps40

And the humor is spot on...nothing like amortizing the infrastructure! And, no Chinese Laborors starved due to the making of this new part or thread!

Well, in all honesty, the blue towel was probably made somewhere other than the US. But I did recycle!

Yup, Logan/Wards 11"

Dave.

09-10-2013, 07:56 PM	#1
65 wonton Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Highland, KS Posts: 124	Leaf spring shackle pin bolts and a lathe When removing the rear end, I somehow misplaced one of the bolts that hold the shackle pins in place for the rear leaf springs. Six are needed and I came up with 5. So, I broke out my trusty LMC catalog and found that they could be ordered for about $6 and shipped for another $8. Or there-abouts. I could drive down and pick them up but I didn't need to go to that area for any other reason and its about a 2 hour drive. But I do have a lathe and a 1/2" bolt I cut the head off of for some reason or other. First I checked to make sure this bolt wasn't hardened. Nope, a file cuts it easily. I'm not a machinist but here is how I did it. I miked (I could have used calipers, but a micrometer feels more machinistismo) the original and turned the bolt down to the larger diameter. I then miked the threaded section and turned it down. The threads are 5/16-24. So, I set up the gears for 24 tpi (cutting edge lathe don't need no quick change gearbox) and cut the threads so that the nut threaded on smoothly. I took a file (don't know if it was a bastard or not 'cause I never met its mother or father) and cut the flat so that it closely assumed the shape of the original. $1,800 - $14 = $1,786 I'll have this lathe paid off in no time flat. Dave, slowly starting to work on the Big Red Dog.

09-10-2013, 08:15 PM	#2
aerotruk63 Check The Champ, Demonstrator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montreal,Quebec Posts: 6,625	Re: Leaf spring shackle pin bolts and a lathe That turned out great, gotta love when something turns out that well. __________________ 1963 *Chevrolet Truck* Literature LINK: https://picasaweb.google.com/113840717762774560215 YouTube Channel with 20+ Original *Chevrolet Truck* Salesmen, Mechanics & Service Department Training Slideshows. https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...otruk63&page=1

09-10-2013, 09:01 PM	#3
bhc41051 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Otway OH Posts: 787	Re: Leaf spring shackle pin bolts and a lathe You're way ahead of the game. I guarantee the part you made fit's better than the LMC version. I bought one from LMC, luckily I found the one I misplaced and the LMC one was tossed.

09-10-2013, 11:23 PM	#4
65 wonton Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Highland, KS Posts: 124	Re: Leaf spring shackle pin bolts and a lathe aerotruk63 Yeah one win every now and then goes a long way. bhc41051 If I had known, I could have ordered a complete set from Eaton when I ordered the bushings. I didn't find out I was missing one until months later. Well, now. Dave.

09-11-2013, 05:18 AM	#5
Sharps40 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: here Posts: 2,408	Re: Leaf spring shackle pin bolts and a lathe And the humor is spot on...nothing like amortizing the infrastructure! And, no Chinese Laborors starved due to the making of this new part or thread!



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