front end alignment (shims??)
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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front end alignment (shims??)
it looks like i need to get different shims that go between the leef springs and the axle. the ones that i have seem to be too big or not the right ones.
i have a 72 f-250 4x4.
there are two shims under both springs that amount to about 3/8 of an inch on the thicker side (the thicker side pionts to the front of the truck) they have slot in the center of them for the stud on the springs, but they are too thick for the stud to go through and into the hole on the axle (this makes it hard to know if i have them lined up right)
i stopped by the alignment shop to ask about this problem and the guy didn't really know about. i thought those shims were part of the alignment, but maybe i'm wrong, i have alot to learn yet.
if some one could set me streight on this it would help alot.
thanks...Russ
P.S if this is some thing i can do myself that would be great, i don't really trust any else to work on my truck and do it right. any more now days you can't hardly find a good machanic who knows what they're doing.
i have a 72 f-250 4x4.
there are two shims under both springs that amount to about 3/8 of an inch on the thicker side (the thicker side pionts to the front of the truck) they have slot in the center of them for the stud on the springs, but they are too thick for the stud to go through and into the hole on the axle (this makes it hard to know if i have them lined up right)
i stopped by the alignment shop to ask about this problem and the guy didn't really know about. i thought those shims were part of the alignment, but maybe i'm wrong, i have alot to learn yet.
if some one could set me streight on this it would help alot.
thanks...Russ
P.S if this is some thing i can do myself that would be great, i don't really trust any else to work on my truck and do it right. any more now days you can't hardly find a good machanic who knows what they're doing.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 119
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4x4 shims
i've been an alignment man for 23 years and have done a lot of the older style ford. i'm asumming you have a dana 44 under the front. the shims under the front springs are actually used to set the frt pinion angle. it will effect the caster, but as long as your are running about equal on both sides, it won't hurt a thing. as far as how much pinion angle you need, it should be within 1 degree comming out of the transfer case. hope this helps.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
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From: "Islander"
I went thru that years ago on the rear with relocated spring pads that were welded in a little off intended idea.
Machined custom wedges and spring locating bolts with longer heads to locate
the pads.
Machined custom wedges and spring locating bolts with longer heads to locate
the pads.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
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when i put new U-bolts on i was able to get it lined up were it needs to be, though that's only temporary until i can come up with a propper fix.
some times with these ole' trucks you never know what you'll find, especially with mine this poor thing was really cobbled up bad when i got it. thankfully i'm at the tail end of getting it mechanicly sound.
some times with these ole' trucks you never know what you'll find, especially with mine this poor thing was really cobbled up bad when i got it. thankfully i'm at the tail end of getting it mechanicly sound.
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