Need help front end
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 189
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From: New Brockton Al.
Need help front end
I drove the truck to a hot rod meet down some different roads.
Now here is what it does. When you hit a spot in the road like going over big bumps or starting to cross a bridge it wants to take off and go every where.
Now here is what I have done to the front end, new spring bushing and hangars, New king pins,shocks everything I can think of was replaced. Did not replace the springs just took some leafs out. Drag link has all so been rebuild. Front end has been alinged.
Normal it drive straight with no issues just when you kit bad spots in the road.
I have been told that in some cases that is the way the straight axles are. All so to put a front stabalizer on it.
I sure could us some ad vice.
Now here is what it does. When you hit a spot in the road like going over big bumps or starting to cross a bridge it wants to take off and go every where.
Now here is what I have done to the front end, new spring bushing and hangars, New king pins,shocks everything I can think of was replaced. Did not replace the springs just took some leafs out. Drag link has all so been rebuild. Front end has been alinged.
Normal it drive straight with no issues just when you kit bad spots in the road.
I have been told that in some cases that is the way the straight axles are. All so to put a front stabalizer on it.
I sure could us some ad vice.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,849
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From: S.C.
I has a straight axle for over 20 years and with bad king pins it didn't do that. Have you had it checked out by an alignment shop (the moving parts) jack the truck up and check the various bushings for snugness. Also check the tires, take the rear tires and put up front and see how the react. How did you adjust your drag link; if I forgotten you have to tightened the end plug tight then back off to the plug until the first cotter pin hole is aligned with the plug, also make sure the parts are installed in the correct order. Did you install axle shims, I used 4 degree shims with the wide part facing forward. Check your king pins your holes may be ob-longed. Once I replaced the king pins on my 55 the truck rode & drove excellent even at 80 mph on the interstate. Do you have power or manual steering, also check the play in your box.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: New Brockton Al.
I am not sure about my shims I am going out and check them. I put new king pins and bushing in it. I will check the drag pin but feel I did just that. I have all new tires. I thing from what I have read is I need to put in 4 degree shims and I am going to get new front springs. I needed to replace them any way.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
What is the condition of your steering gear box? If you get all the flex and slop out of a straight axle suspension it should not "go all over the place".
Even much newer vehicles with a solid axle ( A SD F250 I used to DD), may occasionally react a little funny to just the right bump. But I think that is mostly caused by an overly heavy spring rate. You don't have to accept dangerous with your old straight axle.
Even much newer vehicles with a solid axle ( A SD F250 I used to DD), may occasionally react a little funny to just the right bump. But I think that is mostly caused by an overly heavy spring rate. You don't have to accept dangerous with your old straight axle.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: New Brockton Al.
Will I just went out and check my shims and they are install wrong. So may maybe that is some of the issue. I see where 4 degree shims work best and what are stock ones are 2 degree. So I will oder them and new springs like I said before.
Oh where can I get the shims from?
Oh where can I get the shims from?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Local truck suspension shop should have them. they can be ordered online as well from many sources.
I just saw your mention of a steering stabilizer in your first post. Are you running one?
I just saw your mention of a steering stabilizer in your first post. Are you running one?
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Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,512
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From: W. Central FL.
I think you found the problem. The king pin is supposed to be tilted to the rear to give the caster which is required for the vehicle to go down the road straight and to recover from irregularities.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Waleska, GA
What he said! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
yup, stabilizers are generally just good for taming down the slack until you have time/money to fix it right.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,135
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From: Burbank, WA
Having the caster correct will certainly make a huge difference. But I also believe some of the problem stems from the removal of leaves from the spring pack. Doing that effectively lessens the load capacity and 'weakens' the spring so the truck sits lower. The unintended consequences are less stability and loss of control from overly compliant suspension. I know a lot of guys do it, but I've never been a fan of removing leaves to lower a truck. Especially in front. I'm glad to hear you're stepping up for new springs. 