| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | |
0 members (),
40
guests, and
10
robots. | | Key: Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,012 Posts1,055,315 Members48,419 | | 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: May 2005 Posts: 65 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2005 Posts: 65 | Looking at the original front leaf springs from my '50 3100. The passenger side has a caster shim on it the drivers doesn't.
Is it ok to rebuild the springs without shims and just have an alignment shop put the correct ones in once the truck is back on the road?
Bob
1950 Chevrolet 1300
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy Bob H, yes that is fine, the shim is not part of the spring, the alignment shop will install what is appropriate, hope that helps. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | I'm not so sure the average alignment shop around here would have shims for these old trucks. You might want to go to a spring shop and pick up one for the other side before you go. I think I'd just go ahead and install it before I went. I have the same situation on mine, a shim on one side only (?) | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,191 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,191 | Napa also sells them, $2.00 each or close to it. Start with the 2 degree, that should get you pretty close. Joe | | | | | Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 452 | Find out where the local delivery guys get their vans done... Lots of straight-axle cube vans out there, so someone knows how to align them.
Good luck.
Current fleet (subject to change w/o notice) \'49 GMC 3/4-Ton , 60 Austin Healey Frog-eye Sprite (some assembly required), 2011 Dodge Avenger, 2015 Jeep Cherokee. No, they don't all run. My other ride is a (B737)no, (B767)no, A320.... Update... was Embraer E190, now Boeing B787. Knowledge is a wonderful thing, but ignorance means you don't know you can't do something.
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | The problem is that the only currently availible solid axle shims are too wide for the older trucks. The narrowest that I've seen is 2 1/2", the spring seats on the old Chevies is only 2". I suppose you could cut them down, but the way that they're made you'ld probably weaken the shim.
I also question as to why only on one side. Those shims are meant to be used as a pair, and only when the amount of caster change is equal. It's making me think that the axle might be twisted. I'd suggest leaving it out, then have the front end alignment checked at a shop.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | Bill,
I too wondered why only one shim. Would 'one in' and 'one out' have enough oink to twist that big forged axle. They surely couldn't have forgotten to put the second one in.
Would the front end shop be trying to compensate for crown in the road...or a lower right shoulder. My '97 Silverado had some weird things done to it in an effort to stop it from wandering...I wonder if it was done on one side only.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,191 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,191 | The Napa shims I bought were made to cut down to the right width. Mine are only 1.75" wide. joe | | |
|
|
| |
