Greasable Shackles & Bushes with Fitting Position Front Axle, Rear Axle for NISSAN PICK UP D22

Nolathane greasable shackles and bushes renew the whole rear leaf spring mounting system on the D22 PICK UP in one job. New polyurethane spring eye and shackle bushes restore firm, quiet axle location, while greasable shackles and pins let those bushes be lubricated in place, so they keep pivoting smoothly through dust, mud, water and heavy loads.

For vehicles that tow, tour, work on the farm or spend time on beaches and corrugated roads, combining new bushes with greasable shackle hardware is the long-term fix for squeaks, seized pins and rear-end wander.

How Leaf Spring Shackles Work on the D22 PICK UP

A leaf spring is fixed to the chassis at one end through the front spring eye and a fixed pin, and attached at the other end through a shackle. As the spring compresses, it gets longer. The shackle swings to allow that change in length, so the spring can flex without binding.

Each pivot point, the front eye, the rear eye and the shackle?s chassis mount, has a bush that allows rotation and absorbs vibration. Together, these bushes hold the axle in position fore and aft and side to side. If they wear, the axle can shift under load, which is felt as rear-end steer and instability.

Why Standard Shackles and Pins Cause Problems

Factory shackle pins usually can?t be lubricated once fitted. On a work ute or touring 4WD, dirt, grit and water get between the pin and the bush, and with no way to flush them out, they act like grinding paste. Over time:

• Bushes wear quickly or tear
• Pins rust and seize inside their bushes and sleeves
• The spring binds instead of articulating freely, giving a harsher ride
• Squeaks and groans develop over every bump
• Replacing bushes becomes difficult because the pins won?t come out

Greasable shackles and pins solve this by adding grease fittings and internal passages. Pumping grease in pushes out old grease, dirt and water and keeps a fresh film between the pin and the bush.

Benefits of Greasable Shackles and Bushes for Your D22 PICK UP

• Quieter rear suspension, free of the squeaks and creaks of dry bushes
• Smoother spring articulation for better ride quality on and off road
• Longer bush life, because grit is flushed out rather than ground in
• Easier future servicing, with pins that are less likely to seize
• Firm axle location that reduces rear-end steer under braking and load
• Better resistance to dust, salt water and mud on beach and outback trips

Replacing bushes, shackles and pins together means every pivot in the rear spring assembly is renewed at the same time, so no worn part is left to undermine the new ones.

Front and Rear Spring Mounts

On most 4WDs and utes with rear leaf springs, the front of the spring is held by a fixed pin through the front eye, while the rear of the spring attaches through the shackle. Both ends need attention. The fixed front pin carries much of the braking and driving load, and the shackle end does the most moving. A complete rear leaf spring service covers the front eye, rear eye and shackle mount bushes on both sides of the vehicle. Some vehicles also use leaf springs at the front, where the same principles apply.

Polyurethane Spring Bushes

Rubber spring bushes are soft and quiet when new, but they deflect under load and break down with heat, oil and age. Polyurethane spring eye and shackle bushes hold the spring and axle more firmly and last far longer in harsh conditions.

Nolathane has been making polyurethane suspension bushings since 1974, originally developed to replace brass bushes in hillclimb competition. The signature red bushings are made in a range of durometers (hardness grades) for each position, are mechanically fitted with minimal crush, and use a lubricated centre sleeve so the spring pivots freely. Outstanding abrasion resistance, high load-bearing capability and resistance to oil, grease, ozone and weathering make them well suited to 4WDs and utes that carry heavy loads.

The honest trade-off is that polyurethane bushes need periodic greasing to stay quiet, which is exactly why they work best with greasable shackles and pins.

Fitting Greasable Shackles and Bushes on Your D22 PICK UP

Fitting suits professional workshops and experienced home mechanics. Seized factory pins can be stubborn and may need to be cut out. As a general guide:

1. Park on level ground, chock the front wheels and support the chassis securely on stands.
2. Support the rear axle with a jack so the springs are unloaded.
3. Work on one side at a time, removing the fixed pin and shackle.
4. Remove the old bushes from the spring eyes and chassis mounts, and clean the bores.
5. Fit the new polyurethane bushes with a grease suitable for polyurethane.
6. Fit the greasable fixed pin and shackle, positioning the grease fittings so they?re accessible.
7. Lower the vehicle onto its wheels and tighten the pins and shackle bolts to specification at ride height.
8. Grease each fitting until fresh grease appears, then repeat on the other side.

Tightening pivots with the spring hanging at full droop pre-loads the bushes and shortens their life, so always do the final tightening at ride height.

Greasing and Maintenance

Greasable shackles only deliver their full benefit when they?re greased. As a guide, grease the shackles and pins:

• At every service
• After deep water crossings, beach driving or mud
• After long trips on dusty or corrugated roads
• Whenever the rear suspension starts to squeak

Use a grease that?s suitable for polyurethane bushes. Pump grease in until fresh grease appears, which shows that old grease and dirt have been pushed out.

Extended Shackles and Compliance

Longer, extended leaf spring shackles are sometimes used to raise the rear of a vehicle. They change the shackle angle, which can affect handling, axle stability and spring behaviour, and they count towards total lift in many jurisdictions. Rules on suspension modifications vary between Australian states and in the UK and Europe, including MOT or periodic inspections. Check the requirements where your vehicle is registered and tell your insurer about any changes to suspension or ride height.

Choosing the Right Kit for Your D22 PICK UP

Confirm the vehicle, drivetrain and model year, as spring eye sizes and shackle designs differ between variants. Each listing shows the vehicles the kit suits and its fitting position. Our fitment guarantee means the kit you order for your D22 PICK UP is confirmed to suit it.

Shop Greasable Shackles & Bushes for Your D22 PICK UP

Find the greasable shackles and bushes for your D22 PICK UP, then order online with fast shipping or have them fitted by a Nolathane reseller. Every kit is backed by Nolathane?s warranty, 60-day returns give you time if a part isn?t right, and our local support team can help whether you?re repairing a squeaky rear end, servicing a working ute or preparing a 4WD for touring.