The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop problem installing 3" drop axle and disc brakes

I am in the process of installing a 3" drop axle and disc brakes into my old '58 apache 1/2 ton pickup for it's new owner. When dissasembling the original axle I noticed that there were thrust bearings between the axle and bottom of the spindles. The new axle and kingpin set only came with thick steel washers/spacers
and shims. The original thrustbearings are too thick to fit as the new axle is deeper where the kingpins fit so the gap is too small. Is it OK to just use the steel spacer or am I better off trying to find thrust bearings to fit.
Thanks
Willy

Best do all you can to find a thrust bearing to fit first. If no luck there perhaps two hardened steel washers and a bronze one between them?

What does the axle supplier have to say about this?

Grigg

I'm about to buy a kingpin set for my 55, 2nd series. I also had the axle dropped 3". I was looking at sets at LMC and Carter's and I believe the illustrations on line showed the correct bearings and spacers..not washers..You might want to look them up. You'll also have to flip the tie rods for clearance with the springs..good application for new style rod ends. You probably know that..just thought I'd mention it.

http://www.lmctruck.com/ICATALOG/CA/full.aspx?Page=82

Good luck..

Keith

PS in re-thinking this the new ones are probably the same as you're old one. How much are they off by? Can the axle be machined?

If this is one of Sid's dropped original axles, the dimensions will be the same as stock, and will allow the use of thrust bearings. If it's one of the new manufactured axles, I'd ask them about the bearing situation. All the weight on the front end is carried by those bearings, I wouldn't use plain washers in there, don't think they'd last very long.

The drop axle is not an original I beam it is an aftermarket one with tube centre section and CNC cut solid steel ends. If I can not find suitable thrustbearings I think I will have to get ends of the new axle machined which is a bummer as it is already powdercoated. Thanks for the info you confirmed my thoughts of going with a thrust bearing.
Willy

I'd ask CPP or where ever you bought it from Willy. They must hear this all the time. Maybe they have a fix.

Good luck,

Keith

could not get a suitable thinner thrust bearing so have had to machine the ends of the axle to suit orininal type thrust bearing.
You would think that the axle manufacturers would be a little more accurate. Never mind these things are meant to try us.
All sorted now

Willy