The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Task Force 1/2 ton front end questions

A couple of questions for you guys about the front of my 59 1/2 ton.

First, the upper shock mounts seem strange to me. Like the only thing holding the shock on is the inner bushing. See picture here: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2630901510100598759uAdDpR
This is the left side, the right side I just pulled off the shock mount with my hand.

Second question. On top of the front spring looks like a owner-modification. A round piece of about 1/2" welded to the spring and to the top of the spring mount. One side the weld has broken. Any idea of what or why this is on the truck? Nothing on the other side. If I cannot discern any reason for this, it is getting ground off. Here is a pic of it: http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2362278910100598759DwywJn

Any help would be appreciated on this. Thanks!

first - that's the original style shock mount - pressed into/ part of, the eye - new shocks [Monroe 3100 or Gabriel 82047] will require a new pin there, more like a bolt .... I think the modern shocks might have the bolts included

2nd, your right, some wierdness by a po that seems useless, but maybe if it hits that rubber bottoming block it was to compensate for saggy springs?

Bill

R-Bo; looks like the stud broke off the shock mount. Should be a threaded end sticking out beyond the shock mount about 3/4" or thereabouts so that the shock can be secured with a large flat washer, a lock washer and nut. You could probably weld a piece of threaded rod onto the end there or get a bolt and cut the head off and weld it on.

That other doo-hickey makes no sense to me at all. I'd grind that puppy off.

Thanks guys, that's about what I thought. Thanks for the shock part numbers Red, I'll just start by buying a set and see what comes with them.

As far as spring sag, the truck doesn't look low in the front, but I did think that there was not a lot of room between the spring and the rubber stop. What is the specification on ride height or distance from spring to stop? If it is in assembly or shop manual I've got them and can go look it up.

Thanks.

The shock mounts on my 57 look just like yours only mine didn't have front shocks on it when I bought it.I bought new shocks for mine 2 weeks ago and they came with the mounting hardware.

I don't think the distance from spring to the bottoming bumper is specified, but if your springs are dead flat they may be weak [but still ok], my fronts show a very slight arch

Bill