| |
Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,164 Posts1,056,978 Members48,458 | | 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 2006 Posts: 103 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2006 Posts: 103 | I'm in the middle of installing a 3" dropped axle on my '49 and got to thinking if I still need to use the angled spacer (don't know what else to call it) between the springs and the axle? Thanks for the help! | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | It's actually a caster shim. It sets the caster setting of the axle, which the the angle from vertical that the spindle site. Very important to maintaining stability and tracking. Best would be to take it to a competent alingment shop (one that will actually do modified vehicles) and have them set it to the correct angles. You will most likely have to have the toe reset as well.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 103 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: May 2006 Posts: 103 | I just had to ask a stupid question! Didn't know if I should use it becuase the axle is now much closer to the frame and didn't need that much of a angle to the axle or not. Thanks for the help! | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | The only stupid question is the one not asked! You'll want to hang on to those shims, they might need to use them depending on what the caster reading is. Alot will depend on how far you dropped the front compared to the rear, as that will affect overall caster readings. A little extra caster won't hurt though, as it will help stabilize the frontend, especially for highway driving.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,464 | You'll need to put those shims back in and possibly need to add a little depending on the amount of "rake" the body has with the new axle. You can check the caster angle yourself by using an angle finder on the flat spring mount perch on the axle, which is exactly perpendicular to the kingpins. The spec for your '49 is 1 degree 15' to 2 degrees 15'. It won't hurt if your a little over these limits as longbox said, but you don't want to be under them.
Take a look at your shims, they should be marked as to how many degrees tilt they'll give. If they're between 1.5 and 3 degrees, I'll bet a dollar to a donut you'll be fine.
You can also check your toe-in yourself. Most guys chalk a line around the tires and measure carefully front to back. The spec is 1/16" to 3/16". | | |
|
|
| |
