I had started a thread on the temp site (which has not made it back here) on how my SoCal front spring shackles had failed after only 3,000 miles. The shackle pins were frozen in the bushings, and the only movement was the pins turning in the shackle links where they should be a press fit. I had to drive the shackles and bushings out, and replacements from Drake slipped right in and worked great. I sent the failed shackles back to SoCal requesting an explanation, but never heard back from them. Anyone else ever have similar problems?
Also, while searching old threads yesterday I came across one talking about removing/installing front springs and how dangerous it was because they had to be stretched out to get the shackles in. I hadn't removed one in many years and that was my recollection too, but on this car all I had to do was slip one shackle in, block it horizontal, lift the other end of the spring, and slip the second shackle in. The spring has plenty of arch and looks right, and with the weight on it the shackles are still at a reasonable angle. Does this sound right? Do I have the right spring? The rear spring required a lot of jacking to get the ends where the shackles could be inserted, but this front one slipped right in. Based on my experience with the rest of SoCal's work, now I'm wondering if they used the wrong spring.