Front spring replacement
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: San Ramon Ca.
Front spring replacement
I was doing front springs and bushings today. I found a one degree shim between the passenger side spring and axle housing (ttb). Don't know for sure if should put it back in with the new spring. I went with the three leaf springs and energy suspension bushings (black). Also need to replace the axle pivot bushings. The only urethane bushings I could locate quickly was a Daystar KF03018BK. Hope it's the correct set.
Any advice welcome!
Pete
Any advice welcome!
Pete
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Belair md
i thikn lmc truck parts sells the poly axle pivot pushings. around 15-20 bucks if i recall? i dont thin kyou should have any shims under the springs. technicly thats illegal. you cant have any form of shims or spacers between the spring and axle mount
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Postmaster
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From: San Ramon Ca.
Thanks Joe. Must have come from the factory that way. I was told by front end guy that Ford adds stuff during assembly to account for caster and camber. Thats all I can think of.
Pete
Pete
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: San Ramon Ca.
Negative 69. It's a spacer / shim marked 1 deg. Found between the spring and axle housing. I'll post a few pics for reference. Camera battery is charging.
I guess it's possible a front end shop may have thrown it in there for some reason or another. Looks like it's been there for quite awhile. U bolts weren't real tight on disassembly.
Pete
I guess it's possible a front end shop may have thrown it in there for some reason or another. Looks like it's been there for quite awhile. U bolts weren't real tight on disassembly.
Pete
Last edited by pjwoolw; Jan 31, 2009 at 08:53 PM. Reason: To slow
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Joe Kucinski
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From: West Texas
That comes from the factory. I used to see them a lot on brand new trucks when I was doing alignments at a ford dealer. My 97 has a couple shims on the right side too. I never heard that it was illegal though. When I was a kid I used to see all kinds of jacked up trucks with lift blocks on both ends.
Every truck I have seen comes with the same caster camber bushings in the front end but sometimes something else is needed to get it just right out of the factory. Most shops that mess with those bushings don't have a clue what they are doing. If you are wearing tires in the front from camber then something is worn out and after it's replaced the camber almost always goes back where it should be.
Mine is getting the springs all rearched and new bushings tomorrow, also all new shackles. I'll align it myself when it comes home and I bet camber and caster will be right on.
These trucks are sure a lot better out of the factory then another big brand I also worked for that was way off right off the delivery truck.
Every truck I have seen comes with the same caster camber bushings in the front end but sometimes something else is needed to get it just right out of the factory. Most shops that mess with those bushings don't have a clue what they are doing. If you are wearing tires in the front from camber then something is worn out and after it's replaced the camber almost always goes back where it should be.
Mine is getting the springs all rearched and new bushings tomorrow, also all new shackles. I'll align it myself when it comes home and I bet camber and caster will be right on.
These trucks are sure a lot better out of the factory then another big brand I also worked for that was way off right off the delivery truck.
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Postmaster
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From: San Ramon Ca.
Alignment issues
Well here I am a month later and the front spring and bushing project is done. Weather and the fact I decided to change out the pivot bushings slowed the process. Took it to a front end shop and couldn't (didn't want to) align it. To much positive camber. Over four degrees. I know about the different camber / caster bushings. Also found axle pivot brackets to help out with alignment issues. Link So if anybody has any ideas I sure need some input.
Thanks
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Denver CO
What ive heard is the same as Joe, that "blocks" are not allowed in the front but shims are legal as the are one of the ways they adjust the caster angle especially on lifted trucks. Its common to see them built into the bottom of a leaf stack on a lift kit. "Blocks" are legal in the rear but stacked blocks are not you need either a bigger block or bigger leafs or both. Be advised though that if you use block axle wrap becomes an issue. The bigger the block the bigger the issue, so you need to use either bigger leafs and smaller blocks or add latter or trac bars on the rear to control it.