New leaf springs/Tightening the bolts

[ChrsLytn]

98 K1500
I have just finished replacing the leaf springs and shackles on my truck. I'm not sure how the shackles should be positioned when I tighten them up.
Should I let both springs just hang and tighten the shackles lower bolts first? That will have them both perpendicular (how bout that $2.00 word?) to the frame. And then tighten all the others accordingly.
Are the u-bolts the only ones I should be concerned about torquing? Thanks

 

[Nad_Yvalhosert]

Run the u-bolts "balls tight".

Leave the eye and shackle bolts barely snug, set the truck down on the tires at normal ride height.
Jounce the suspension a couple times, then tighten all leaf eye and shackle bolts.

 

[ChrsLytn]

Are the shackles intended to be used for height adjustment?
I'm not sure what kind of height I'm gonna have till I set it down, which will be this evening.
It was 37" at the center of wheel opening all the way around.
Thanks again

 

[east302]

Here’s the procedure from the 1998 manual, maybe it will help

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[ChrsLytn]

Alright. Much appreciated. The less I scratch my head the longer my hair is gonna last.

 

[ChrsLytn]

Done deal. No more squeaks. Back end sits about an inch higher than the front. I can live with that.

 

[BOOT]

Any rubber bushing suspension component should be torqued with it loaded

 

[ChrsLytn]

What's good to spray on bushings to keep the rubber from drying out and cracking?

 

[Erik the Awful]

What's good to spray on bushings to keep the rubber from drying out and cracking?

Possibly silicone spray. A better bet is just to plan on replacing the bushings every 100k. Silicone spray doesn't keep the road wear from happening.

 

[ChrsLytn]

Silicone might have potential.
Thanks. I'll be 62 in September. Might not see another 100k roll around on it.
Lol. They're flying by.