How does car suspension work?

Suspension combines tyres, springs, shock absorbers, sway bars, links and control arms to keep the tyres in contact with the road, improving traction, braking and stability.

How much does it cost to repair suspension?

Costs depend on the parts and wear found during inspection. A checkup identifies whether bushes, shocks or other components need replacement.

How do I know if my suspension needs repair?

Look for clunks or squeaks over bumps, uneven tyre wear, poor straight-line tracking, excessive body roll or instability under braking.

Is it safe to drive with worn suspension?

No. Worn parts can reduce braking performance and control. Book an inspection before further driving.

What are common suspension problems?

Misalignment, perished OE rubber bushes, leaking or faded shocks, incorrect components installed, wrong or illegal lift setups and ride-height issues.

How long does a suspension repair take?

Typical jobs take about 1–5 hours depending on the vehicle and parts involved.

What are the signs of a bad wheel alignment?

Steering wheel off-centre, pulling to one side, vibration or tramlining, and rapid or uneven tyre wear.

What happens if I skip wheel alignments?

Handling suffers and tyres wear quickly, which increases running costs.

When should I replace suspension bushings?

Replace when you see cracks, excessive movement or noise. Polyurethane bushings are a durable upgrade where available.

When should I consider a 4x4 lift kit?

When you need more ground clearance, wheel travel or to accommodate larger tyres and accessories. Choose a vehicle-specific kit.

Do I really need a wheel alignment and suspension check?

Yes. Alignment keeps geometry correct and reduces tyre wear. A suspension check spots issues early.

How often should alignment be done?

About every 12 months or sooner after off-road use, impacts, new tyres, or suspension changes.

How often should I check the power steering rack and pump?

Follow the service schedule; a good rule of thumb is periodic checks around every 20,000 km (12,000 miles) to prevent wear-related issues.

Shackles for Vehicle

Leaf spring shackles are a key suspension component that connects the leaf spring to the chassis and allows the spring to change length as it flexes through suspension ...

Leaf spring shackles are a key suspension component that connects the leaf spring to the chassis and allows the spring to change length as it flexes through suspension travel. This movement is essential for maintaining smooth suspension cycling, correct axle positioning, and predictable handling, particularly on 4WDs used for touring, towing, and off-road driving.

Over time, shackles and their bushes can wear due to constant load cycling, dirt and water exposure, and repeated suspension movement. Worn shackles can lead to excessive play, squeaks, uneven spring movement, and accelerated bush wear. This category covers leaf spring shackles designed to improve durability at this critical pivot point and support smoother suspension operation under real-world 4WD conditions.

Why Upgrade Your 4WD Suspension?

Factory shackles are often designed around standard driving conditions and light loads, but once a 4WD is fitted with touring gear, towing weight, or constant payload, the suspension pivot points see far more strain. In off-road environments, mud, dust, and water crossings can also contaminate the bushes, increasing friction and accelerating wear.

Upgrading leaf spring shackles is a simple way to improve suspension reliability and reduce common wear issues, especially when replacing bushes, installing new leaf springs, or refreshing the rear suspension. Greasable shackle options also allow ongoing lubrication, helping maintain smoother movement and extend bush life over time.

Leaf Spring Shackles Range

This category includes greasable leaf spring shackles designed to improve lubrication control at the shackle pivot point and reduce wear in demanding conditions.

The range includes:

Greasable Leaf Spring Shackles: Built with grease channels to allow ongoing lubrication, helping reduce friction, minimise premature bush wear, and support smoother suspension cycling under load and off-road use.

These shackles are ideal for 4WDs that tow, tour, or regularly operate in environments where bushes are exposed to dirt, water, and repeated suspension movement.

Why Choose Quality Leaf Spring Shackles?

Leaf spring shackles operate under constant load and repeated movement, making durability and fitment critical. Poor-quality shackles may flex, wear, or allow bushes to deteriorate prematurely, leading to unwanted movement and inconsistent suspension behaviour.

Quality greasable shackles are designed with strong construction and reliable grease delivery, helping maintain smoother movement and extend bush service life. This supports better long-term reliability and reduces the chance of suspension noise or harshness caused by worn pivot points.

How Leaf Spring Shackles Improve Performance

Upgrading to greasable shackles improves lubrication control at the pivot point, helping keep suspension movement smoother and reducing wear on high-stress bush locations.

Key benefits include:

Reduced friction at the shackle pivot point

Less premature bush wear through ongoing lubrication

Smoother suspension cycling during articulation and load changes

Improved durability at a key mounting point under heavy use

More consistent handling when towing or carrying touring weight

Greasable shackles are a simple upgrade that helps maintain suspension performance and reduces maintenance issues over time.

Who Is This Category For?

Leaf spring shackles are ideal for 4WD owners looking to reduce bush wear and improve suspension durability, particularly on vehicles used for touring, towing, or off-road driving.

This category suits:

Touring vehicles carrying constant or variable payloads

4WDs towing caravans, trailers, or heavy loads

Off-road drivers travelling through mud, dust, or water crossings

Owners replacing bushes, servicing leaf springs, or upgrading suspension pivot hardware

If you are experiencing squeaks, uneven bush wear, or harsh suspension movement, upgrading to greasable shackles is often one of the most effective solutions.