Labor Day Putting down your wrenches or time for MORE wrenching? 
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 34 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2013 Posts: 34 | I want to change the rear spring shackles on my 1955.1 Model 3100. I have checked the owners manual and the shop manual but cannot find anything about appropriate jacking points. I assume I need to jack the rear axle and then put jack stands somewhere under the frame, but where? Just behind the spring shackles? In front of the rear spring? Someplace else?
Thanks,
Trooper Jeff
Trooper Jeff If I can't drive my truck, fetch my horse "Courage is saddling up even though you are scared to death" - John Wayne
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | these ol trucks aren't like modern unibodies that need jacking in special places - block the front wheels, jack it up by the rear frame until the weight is just off the spring/axle assembly and put stands/blocks under the frame anyplace out of your way for working on the springs - you want the weight off the springs 'both directions', and the rear tires supporting the axle weight
Bill | | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 252 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 252 | What does the weight off the springs in BOTH directions mean? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | means no force on them from above or below, as if they were already off the truck, the arch will be exerting some pressure on the mounting ends, you don't want to add to that
Bill | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 | I've always jacked up by the pumpkin, put jackstands under the frame ( usually forward of the work area ) and drop the jack until all weight is off the axle. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,362 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,362 | I've always jacked up by the pumpkin, put jackstands under the frame ( usually forward of the work area ) and drop the jack until all weight is off the axle. That is why there are alot of bent rear axle housings in that area. Always best to jack one side at a time at the spring mount points.
Kicking self for selling off my Taskforce trucks. Still looking for an LCF or conventional big bolt in decent shape.
As of 10-26-2022, A 55.2 Taskforce long bed now the work begins
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | Jacking up by the pumpkin does not bend axle housings. Jacking up incorrectly by the pumpkin could, however. What I mean is making sure they're jacking in the right spot and that the jack doesn't slip or anything. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 | | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I've never seen an axle bend from being lifted by the pumpkin.
Bill Burmeister | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 898 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 898 |
Brian 1955.2 3100 Truck The older I get the more dangerous I am!!!!! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,847 | only if done incorrectly, there are different types of "UP" | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 | I've seen the mid 80's, early 90's GM 1 ton axles, the ones with the pressed tubes, leak. At the center section. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | I thought the thread was about a 55 Advance Design, wheel to wheel axle housing, no cheesy tubes  Bill | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Thanks, Bill
I was waiting to hear from someone with a bent 1955-1st (or 47-54, too) axle housing.
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