The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline rear leaf springs

hi, i'm working on a 1951 1/2 ton panel. i'm installing 3" lowering blocks and while i was at it, changing the shakles and pins. while doing this i think i may have screwed up. the axle is no longer in the center of the fender to the point where the tire is not mountable.
the only thing i can come up with is i may have installed the leaf springs backwards. so my question is, should the long end of the spring be in front or back? it seems that one end of the spring is about 3" shorter going locator pin to center of the shakle hole.

i'm really confused because i can see pressing the wrong bushing in one spring but both seems a bit of a reach.

thanks for any info.
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I have a "49 3100. Measured my springs and the longer end goes to the rear. Hope that helps!

Read my POST in your "rear end ID" THREAD

Someone installed a open driveshaft axle on to your 1951 1/2 ton panel.
But they must of used the original torque tube / closed driveline leaf springs and performed THIS TRICK and flipped the leaf springs.

The leaf spring center bolt on trucks that originally used a torque tube / closed driveline, is offset to the front. (check attached photo)
The center bolt is not in the center of all the leafs, it is offset to the front.
The bolt is in the center of the bottom leaf, but not in the leafs above.

Read this POST for more clarification.

xfiles

thanks for the replies guys.

yes, i believe the rear has been changed. the numbers on the rear date it as a 1955. so can i just flip them back? its a pain in the butt because i'll need to press the bushings out and start from scratch but if that will fix the problem, i can do that!

"so can i just flip them back?"

Yes, just reverse the bushings end to end and flip.

hey guys,

thanks for the info it was a great help.

turns out the people who itstalled the 1955 rear, did not flip the springs which explains why the rear shakles were broken. when i flipped them, bingo! it all went into place. thanks again!