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| | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 | Hello all,
1961 Apache 10 pickup. After replacing the shocks, springs and and axle-to-trailing-arm u-bolts, I've noticed that the axle is offset slightly to the driver's side. The drive shaft is currently disconnected. Everything seems otherwise straight and true, and the frame and bed metal are joined as they should be, providing good sight lines. As I see it, the axle is located just by the u-bolts, so is this just a matter of re-loosening them and sliding the axle over until it's centered? Dont want to overthink this, but would appreciate any insights on getting it right.
Thanks,
GW
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | The axle is located by spring bolts, the head of which is round to fit in the centering hole in the perch, the bolt goes through all the springs, holding them together when the 'U' bolts are loose. Loosen the 'U' bolts a little to inspect whether the bolt heads are both in the perch.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 | Thanks, Ed. It appears that my perches are welded to the axle housing. Everything lines up and there's only one position the axle can be in for the ubolts to pass through into the trailing arms. They went in cleanly and straight. Anything else I should be looking at? I'm concerned this little offset will cause much larger problems for my driveshaft and the new T5 I'm putting in. If I'm being needlessly concerned, I hope someone with more knowledge than I will tell me. Thanks!
GW
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Is this a coil spring truck with a Panhard rod? If so, if one wants? The rod can be adjusted to center the axle.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 | Yes, you genius, the `61 C10 is indeed a coil spring truck with a Panhard rod. And I had Eaton Detroit make a pair of springs that are stock rebound but 1.5" taller, which slightly changes the geometry with the Panhard rod in the same position as before I started! Lightbulb on thanks to you Ed. Now I just have to learn how to properly adjust the rod and I'll be good to go. Thanks a million, one more proof that the people on Stovebolt.com are the very best.
GW
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 | Follow up - The Panhard rod on my truck is not adjustable. CPP has a '60-'62 double adjustable rod that will give up to 2.5" additional length. This should solve the problem immediately.
Many thanks,
GW
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | Make sure to load it some before you adjust the rod length.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 | Make sure to load it some before you adjust the rod length.
Ed Do you mean jack it up some but not completely, like just before the tires leave the ground?
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,760 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,760 | Do you ever plan to use the vehicle like a truck, or are you building a Cowboy Cadillac? Ed means you should actually put some load into the bed before adjusting the Panhard rod.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 77 | That makes sense. No interest in cowboy cadillacs here, original 235, original torsion bars up front, drums all around, no slammies, no 22" wheels, no giant LS, it's always been a truck and always will be. Unfortunately, the bed wood was so rotted, it has no bed surface at this point. Considering your advice, I'll just wait to put in the new rod and adjust until after I've finished the bed.
"The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government." - Thomas Paine
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