Skyjacker Shim Help! Pix!
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 17
From: San Carlos, CA
Skyjacker Shim Help! Pix!
I just lifted my 1979 F350 and my pinion angle for the front drive line is too low and its binding my U-Joint so I purchased 4 degree shims to correct the low angle.
When I jacked up my truck and dropped the front axle I unpacked the shims and discovered that they did not have the alignment notch or guide installed. I did some reading up and I think I am suppose to drill out the shim so that the guide will slip in the shim. There is an indent on the shim that could be a guide for the drill.
Is this correct and will there be enough guide left to get to the axle and will it be stable? Why didn't Skyjacker pre install this hole? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
When I jacked up my truck and dropped the front axle I unpacked the shims and discovered that they did not have the alignment notch or guide installed. I did some reading up and I think I am suppose to drill out the shim so that the guide will slip in the shim. There is an indent on the shim that could be a guide for the drill.
Is this correct and will there be enough guide left to get to the axle and will it be stable? Why didn't Skyjacker pre install this hole? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
so to use the shim on the front, how do you plan to compensate for the change in cast/camber angles? when you do that to the front end, you change all kinds of steering geometry. better to turn the pumpkin without changing the spring perch angles. or on the other side, custom built driveshafts. 4* is a lot when it comes to front end alignment. How big is your lift kit?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 48
From: Middle TN
You can't put the shims in without changing your alignment. The alignment shop will have to remove the shims to adjust the caster. Then you will be back where you started.
Also if you tilt the axle with shims you start to get lots of vibration in the drive shaft.
The first thing I would try is to mark where the u-joint is binding. Take the shaft out and try to carefully grind away a little metal to free the binding.
If this doesn't work you will need to have a drive shaft built that has more clearance.
Also if you tilt the axle with shims you start to get lots of vibration in the drive shaft.
The first thing I would try is to mark where the u-joint is binding. Take the shaft out and try to carefully grind away a little metal to free the binding.
If this doesn't work you will need to have a drive shaft built that has more clearance.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Likes: 153
I'm not quite sure what I'm looking at here ? In pic #1. A '77.5-'79 regular cab F-250 or '79 F350 already has a C.V. joint in the front at the transfer case side and the slip yoke is to the front. Maby your truck is a high Boy ?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Definitely not a Highboy. That looks to be a high pinion D60 up front and if it was a divorced transfer case, he wouldn't be having this issue in the first place as the front driveline angle wouldn't be near that steep.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 17
From: San Carlos, CA
Definitely not a Highboy. That looks to be a high pinion D60 up front and if it was a divorced transfer case, he wouldn't be having this issue in the first place as the front driveline angle wouldn't be near that steep.
Thoughts?
BTW I never installed the shims, I got frustrated with them and put my truck back together.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 1
good thing on not installing the shims. also lookin at your pics of the front driveshaft, the splines on the slip yoke.... looks like you need a longer one anyway, so imho, you prolly should just have a custom one built to fit your needs. that would eleminate the binding proble, an would most likely be easier than turning the pumpkin on the axle tubes. just my $.03. the divorced xfer, is a good idea, but it puts one more weak link in the drivetrain with the jackshaft. but sure makes huge lifts driveline angles easy to compensate for..
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 17
From: San Carlos, CA
Ronzi, would it be possible to post some photos of the front end of your F350?
A trip to the drive line shop was in my plan anyway so I will take your suggestion and have them make one that will work for me.
A trip to the drive line shop was in my plan anyway so I will take your suggestion and have them make one that will work for me.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 641
Likes: 25
From: Port Charlotte, Florida
Steve I will be glad to take some pics for you tonight. Id do it now but my truck is not at work with me. I have the same lift with no shims and no probs. You'll get it sorted out but it looks like you will need to be taking that trip to the drive line shop IMO.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 641
Likes: 25
From: Port Charlotte, Florida
After looking through some pics I have maybe your shaft is not as different as I 1st thought. Here are some not so great pics (I'll get good ones tonight)....
I didnt think the front piece of my shaft was as long as yours but maybe it is..
Better pics for ya later
I didnt think the front piece of my shaft was as long as yours but maybe it is..
Better pics for ya later
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Likes: 153
I agree, It looks like if I had the divorced transfer case I wouldn't have this problem. So its starting to sound like I need to take my drive line out and give it to my local drive line shop (There is one somewhat nearby that is excellent.) As you can see I do not have a CV joint on the pinion end and I don't have one on the transfer case end ether. Was this standard operating procedure for Ford or am I special? Or did the PO do something to screw things up? F350 4X4 are rather rare so maybe this problem is just as rare?
Thoughts?
BTW I never installed the shims, I got frustrated with them and put my truck back together.
Thoughts?
BTW I never installed the shims, I got frustrated with them and put my truck back together.