I broke a shackle bracket a few weeks back so I put a piece of 2x8 under leaf spring until I could afford to get it fixed ( spring broke right through the bed of the truck)...I got a few estimates to replace bracket for about $350.00...heck dam I bought a new compressor.. air chisel and impact wrench....don,t forget the p.b blaster for under $300.00...a little challenging but I got it done.... in the process...I rebuilt rear 10" drum brakes...and installed new Monroe's heavy duty shocks.... ( I HAD BLOWN OUT AIR SHOCKS AND BELIEVE ME IT WAS HARD TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD BOUNCING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH A BROKEN SPRING BRACKET)..because I tow my work trailer...and Installed brand new stock grille @ $144.00
went chrome on the grille... now I kind of wish I went original painted gray.....but whats done is done..

Next step right side bracket not broken yet...but pretty rusted though..
body lift kit ..... final comment those dam rivets on the brackets can be a *****....but air chisel work pretty well.. the die grinder finished them off...
die rivets die... I win ..... James 1 .....shackle 0


been a productive few days....thanks for pictures on the brakes...helped a lot...
peace................James

 

heres what works best for me when removing rivets
1)grind rivet head flat
2)air chisel between frame and bracket, remove bracket
3)grind remaining part of rivet flat with the frame
4)heat up the frame/rivet area
5)punch rivet out

doing it that way, and with the amount of rivets ive knocked out i can get a bracket off in about 10mins now

 

great news, man. I got one about to got that I putty-epoxied 700 miles from home but I got it here, lookin at a suspension this weekend to change it all out. Anyways, heard all the horror stories abot the the rivets so nice to know it can be done.