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Author Topic: Aluminum shackles  (Read 3292 times)

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Offline FourbangerYJ

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Aluminum shackles
« on: July 29, 2009, 06:28:37 PM »
A friend of mine built himself some aluminum shackles out of 1/2 inch thick 7075. I'm not sure on the length. I think they are 6 inches from hole to hole. I never heard of AL shackles. I am wondering if they will last. I know he did not sleeve the holes with a steel bushing. Just for the rear, not the front.
What do you say?
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Jesse-James

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2009, 08:05:42 PM »
Not on my rig, don't know first hand but I sure won't trust it.
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Offline jfrabat

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2009, 07:22:35 AM »
Too high of a risk for little gain...  Why use aluminum for the shackles?  It's not like you are saving big weight, which is the main advantage of AL...  And if they fail (keep in mind AL is not as strong as steel), especially if running down the highway when it happens, the results could be deadly.  No way I would put this on my Jeep!
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Offline sharpxmen

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2009, 08:25:45 AM »
since you're supposed to use grade 8 bolts there i would not trust aluminum for the shackles.
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Jesse-James

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2009, 08:47:50 AM »
Quote from: jfrabat on July 30, 2009, 07:22:35 AM
keep in mind AL is not as strong as steel


Sounds like that's why he said 1/2", make up for weakness with thickness.
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Offline jfrabat

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2009, 08:49:28 AM »
Quote from: Jesse-James on July 30, 2009, 08:47:50 AM

Sounds like that's why he said 1/2", make up for weakness with thickness.

Yeah, but the bolts are steel, and there is no sleeve;

Quote from: FourbangerYJ on July 29, 2009, 06:28:37 PM
I know he did not sleeve the holes with a steel bushing.

The bolt will most likely end up widening the hole, making the suspension loose...

Felipe
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'94 YJ 2.5L with 4" RE lift, Superwinch EPi9.0, FoMoCo e-Fan, SD30 and SD35 w/ARB-5.13, 165A alt., 33" BFG KM2 on 15" AR wheels, Sony sound system, Pavement Ends Hardtop, Hydroboost

Jesse-James

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2009, 08:53:12 AM »
Quote from: jfrabat on July 30, 2009, 08:49:28 AM
Yeah, but the bolts are steel, and there is no sleeve;

The bolt will most likely end up widening the hole, making the suspension loose...

Felipe

I understand that, just responding to the statement about the weakness of AL. I think the holes would wallow out even if they were sleeved. Might just take longer.
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Offline neale_rs

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2009, 09:04:09 AM »
Sounds like there was no need to use aluminum, no real advantage except maybe already having it around.
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Offline FourbangerYJ

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2009, 09:56:39 AM »
Quote from: neale_rs on July 30, 2009, 09:04:09 AM
Sounds like there was no need to use aluminum, no real advantage except maybe already having it around.

You hit the nail on the head. I told him to get some from Ruffstuff. That is where I got mine from. They are thick like 3/8's steel.
I agree with what others have said above ^. I don't think they will last long.
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Offline jfrabat

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2009, 10:03:00 AM »
Quote from: neale_rs on July 30, 2009, 09:04:09 AM
Sounds like there was no need to use aluminum, no real advantage except maybe already having it around.

This was my point as well...  I think of aluminum mostly for weight saving over steel, and there is no weight savings coming from the shackles.
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jdarg

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2009, 02:23:40 PM »
7075 is pretty strong stuff...I wouldn't hesitate to use it...but wouldn't go out of my way to get it for this application either.

All kinds of suspension parts that take far more of a beating are made out of 7075 in some cases, i.e. control arms.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2009, 02:24:32 PM by jdarg »
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Offline jfrabat

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2009, 03:28:17 PM »
Quote from: jdarg on July 31, 2009, 02:23:40 PM
7075 is pretty strong stuff...I wouldn't hesitate to use it...but wouldn't go out of my way to get it for this application either.

All kinds of suspension parts that take far more of a beating are made out of 7075 in some cases, i.e. control arms.


As far as I understand, 7075 has good tensile strength, but this is more an issue about pressure (the bolt part) than tension in my opinion.  Also, using AL with steel bolts and components can cause galvanic corrossion, and 7075 is more prone to corrossion (because of the zinc content) that some of the other AL alloys out there...

Of course, I am not in any way a metal expert, so I could be talking out of my arse here...

Felipe
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Offline sharpxmen

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2009, 08:31:35 PM »
Quote from: jdarg on July 31, 2009, 02:23:40 PM
7075 is pretty strong stuff...I wouldn't hesitate to use it...but wouldn't go out of my way to get it for this application either.

All kinds of suspension parts that take far more of a beating are made out of 7075 in some cases, i.e. control arms.


i vote for titanium
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'95 YJ, NSG370 6spd / Hurst shifter, Dana 300 + 4:1 Doubler / tri-stick, Custom skid, Super D35 / Auburn LSD / 4.88, 35x12.5x15 BFG KM2, 64mm t/b, 1.7 RollerRockers, MkVIII e-fan, Dual Diaph Booster
Latest: Corbeau BajaRS heated seats :dance: keeping warm the rear end

Jesse-James

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2009, 08:36:16 PM »
Unobtanium, FTW!  :twofingers:
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Offline sharpxmen

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Re: Aluminum shackles
« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2009, 08:40:05 PM »
Quote from: Jesse-James on July 31, 2009, 08:36:16 PM
Unobtanium, FTW!  :twofingers:
sorry man but you gotta explain that one, it went over my head.
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'95 YJ, NSG370 6spd / Hurst shifter, Dana 300 + 4:1 Doubler / tri-stick, Custom skid, Super D35 / Auburn LSD / 4.88, 35x12.5x15 BFG KM2, 64mm t/b, 1.7 RollerRockers, MkVIII e-fan, Dual Diaph Booster
Latest: Corbeau BajaRS heated seats :dance: keeping warm the rear end
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