The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '40 Front Axle Assembly ?

The front axle was missing when I found my '40 Chevy truck. I used a front axle off of a '41 that I had, and not really having any reference, I put it together unknowingly.
The U bolts went over the piece attached to the shock arm, along the sides of the leave springs, then thru the holes of the axle, but were much longer looking then needed. So I put a small wood block between the leave spring and the axle. Is there a piece I am missing that goes there??? Can't find any reference on the web.

Hy cffnmkr13, there definatly shouldn't be any wood in there any where. Did you put some caster shims in between the axle and leaf spring? There should also be an axle bumper and bracket on top of the spring, hope that helps.

I don't have a 40 model but on my 51, there is a spacer that sits on top of the spring. It is shaped to hold the U bolts in position. My shock plate is mounted on the bottom of the spring and the U bolt nuts tighten against it. In addition there is a caster wedge between the spring and the axle on each side.

Check this picture out, it shows the order of assembly, on the '37 and I am sure other years, there is a lower shock mounting plate that goes under the axle flange that is held on by the U-bolts. Mine is in front and has some fairly thick washer above the plate and below the axle (these hold it off the axle due to the taper cast into the axle flange).

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/parts/1929_41/41cp178.html

Joe