Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | |
7 members (Gray_Ghost, Rusty Heaps, Brian Moore, 55shaker, Otto Skorzeny, Hotrod Lincoln, 1 invisible),
85
guests, and
2
robots. | | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,028 Posts1,055,414 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 43 | 1953 1/2 ton . I am trying to do the universal ball adjustment and have installed the four supplied shims but it is tight as a drum. I did do some light sanding on the ball and it seems smooth. Do you guys put any oil on the ball for the adjustment? Thanks. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Here is a link to the factory instructions.The adjustment needs to be made without the tapered seal first, once the seal is installed it can be quite tight to move.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | No cork seal when you do the adjustment - right?
The manual says to start with 4 shims, and to add/subtract as needed. Unfortunately, most seal kits only come with 4 shims.
Wait to hear from others, but you might need more shims.
Oil (or, light grease) on the ball is OK. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 43 | Yes, I knew to leave the cork seal out. Guess I'll try to lube the ball. Thanks tclederman!. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 506 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 506 | After you determined the number of shims, then The shop manual, listed under Transmission Installation,line # 5, has the "How to" install cork & shims. Recommends a graphite grease, and provides torque specs, too.
-Tom
1950 Chevy 3100 w/ 1956 235
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 43 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 43 | It would be nice if the vendors included a few more shims in the kits. I guess I'll have to drop 20 more bucks to buy another kit. There actually was a fifth shim in the kit and it was thicker but the holes don't line up?! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | It is not that hard to make a few gaskets using an original as a pattern.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | |
|
|
