The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rear axle mount / reassembly question

When I was taking the rear axle off the springs I noticed that this "brace" (for lack of better words) was positioned different from side to side.

https://picasaweb.google.com/113636046886857960240/Frame#5645716087685902098

You can see theres a thicker side. The previous shot is from the passenger and the thicker side faces the front of the truck.

On the drivers side, the thicker side faces the rear of the truck.

https://picasaweb.google.com/113636046886857960240/Frame#5645716055654362722

Does this matter?

Any tips for reattaching the axle to the springs?

Mark

Hy Bigtonka, judging by the pictures I don't think the installed relationship between the axle and the U bolt plate will change by which end faces the front of the truck. The important thing is to get the axle lined up with the spring center bolt, and tighten down on the U bolts uniformly, so that they all carry the same load and hold the axle in place firmly, hope that helps.

Do you have shocks? I believe that the thicker side was where the shock brackets bolted. No shock, probably does not matter.

3B - I thought the same, but figured I'd check with "da boyz"...

Line up with the spring center bolt - check.

Donf - no, no rear shocks, guess I'll point them both in the same direction just the same.

Probably has to do with balancing the torque of the drive shaft. Most of the time you are in a forward direction, so it probably helps eliminate wheel hop. Most people who have tried to take off too fast in reverse have noticed it is fairly easy to get wheel hop.

If you ever raced a leaf spring rear car like a Nova you know what I mean.

2 cents

Oh man - I'm so SICK of the rocks!! I had brought the truck to my inlaws land to do the blasting and paint, I just got it back in my concrete garage tonight! I missed the concrete!