Hey all, I'm working on getting my '53 Chevy 3600 straightened out but have come across an unknown. So back in its service life this old truck received an extra leaf in the front left and right spring packs. I have redone my springs with help from AAA Spring in Salt Lake City UT. but now I wondering if the brass Caster shims that came off are original or not.....did these trucks even have caster shims from the factory?
2 degree seem to pretty standard from what I read on this site. Thicker part to the rear of the truck and be sure the spring center bolt is long enough to reach the alignment hole in the axle.
53&me You can buy those at the alighnment shops for big trucks. I faced out some that were 7/8 inch in a 6 inch length,was easy and have run a long time,used 1 inch aluminum plate.
The trick is to get the caster just right, to much and you lift the weight of the front as you steer, to little and the steering is light and has no feel to it as you drive. Also, the steering wheel goes off center as you add caster beyond what GM designed it for.
I would be afraid of those caster shims in your picture. What keeps them in place? If those slide out, your steering is going to get squirrely right quick. Replacement shims from spring shops are not the same as original design. Originals have a bump on one side and a depression on the other which hold them in place.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
I had the same thaught so I got looking at them and the open end of the grove is the thick end so when these are in place with pressure on them they are more inclined to slide further to the stopping point of the slide Grove than towards the open end of the slide Grove. But, with that being said I think I'd like to find some originals to put back in place just so my "original" style build consists of original equipment parts. 🙂
