Front Spring Wedge

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Mar 6, 2017 | 12:54 PM

Daggers

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From: Hampshire,Uk

Front Spring Wedge

Hi All,
Just removed my front Axle on my '46 1/2ton PU and found one axle wedge missing the other in a 100 bits. Looked but can't find new so will machine a couple from alloy, can anyone advise on the wedge angle?
Daggers

Mar 7, 2017 | 08:05 AM

tacomacream

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Sep 2007

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From: East Wenatchee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daggers

I will take a look at the front axle and springs that I have this evening and I'll let you know what I see.

Mar 7, 2017 | 07:50 PM

tacomacream

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From: East Wenatchee

I at first thought that maybe there was a wedge under the spring pack. Now I am not sure what an axle wedge is. And then I couldn't see much since it is snowing again.

Mar 7, 2017 | 10:42 PM

willowbilly3

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From: Black Hills of SD

Probably to set the caster. Maybe an alignment shop could help but just guessing and putting them back in without knowing the caster is kind of a blind shot.

Mar 7, 2017 | 11:05 PM

tacomacream

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From: East Wenatchee

Quote:

Originally Posted by willowbilly3

Probably to set the caster. Maybe an alignment shop could help but just guessing and putting them back in without knowing the caster is kind of a blind shot.

I just looked again in my operators manual and there is a castor wedge. It doesn't have much of an angle. I can see a slight angle in the bottom piece in the spring pack that I have pictured. I will measure the difference in front and back and the length.

Mar 8, 2017 | 03:59 AM

Daggers

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From: Hampshire,Uk

Thanks for looking.
In the Green Book the castor wedge is shown as:-
01Y-5336 Wedge (front Spring) 42-47 Comm & 122" Truck 40-47.
Many vehicles use them, Land Rovers use a three degree wedge to set castor.
Normally the wedge angle is between one and four degrees.
I tried to purchase the above part number but without success.

Mar 8, 2017 | 07:50 AM

tacomacream

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Joined: Sep 2007

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From: East Wenatchee

Here is some information that I found on the '48-'56 forum here.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-question.html
I don't think it would be a good idea for me to measure my castor wedge while it is on the axle and has a rust film on it when we are talking about a couple of degrees of angle. I would feel more comfortable if it was off and clean. But check this site. The frame, except the f-1 has bumper horns, and front springs are the same as yours on a '48-'52 as far as I know.