K20 Suspension question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jack15T · 05-04-2019, 09:15 PM

Hi Folks, I have a 71 K20 pickup that I am installing new front springs. I have seen several exploded diagrams of the front suspension. The diagrams show a spacer between the spring pad and on top of the spring underneath the mounting block. My new springs centering bolt head is to short to use a spacer with. I suppose I could get a longer one. There wasn't a spacer on either side of the spring pack when I removed it. The local spring shop that sold me the springs states that I don't need them. The only thing I can think of is they are used to adjust the ride height or they are shims to set the caster. Any ideas? Thanks, Jack

Bigdav160 · 05-04-2019, 09:20 PM

Caster shim would be my thought. My truck has them

Jack15T · 05-04-2019, 10:26 PM

Well, I ordered them. I will see what shows up. If they are shims, I wonder what the factory shim size was? I can't find it any where. I guess I will have to put it on the alignment rack and se what I have for caster and go from there. Nice looking vette by the way. I had a 66 convertible also Nasa Blue. I did a frame off on it up in Vermont back in the late 80's. Unfortunately I let it go. I wish now I still owned it. It was a beautiful car. A guy from the Carolina's bought it for His Grand Daughters graduation. I hope She could appreciate all the blood sweat and tears that went into that car. Which engine do you have in that?

57taskforce · 05-05-2019, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack15T

Well, I ordered them. I will see what shows up. If they are shims, I wonder what the factory shim size was? I can't find it any where. I guess I will have to put it on the alignment rack and se what I have for caster and go from there. Nice looking vette by the way. I had a 66 convertible also Nasa Blue. I did a frame off on it up in Vermont back in the late 80's. Unfortunately I let it go. I wish now I still owned it. It was a beautiful car. A guy from the Carolina's bought it for His Grand Daughters graduation. I hope She could appreciate all the blood sweat and tears that went into that car. Which engine do you have in that?

Yes you are correct find out where your caster is without any shims and then shim if it is needed. Lots of times they aren’t needed in my experience.

**special-K** · 05-05-2019, 05:57 AM

I've never known a K/20, or K/10, to come from factory with a spacer or a shim. I have never had to add a shim. Chances are real good your's won't need them either. Got any diagram pictures to show what you think is a spacer? Could it be the nylon anti-squeek pad, about as thick as a piece of paper? They are usually shot and I just toss them. I have noticed no ill effect from them being gone. I figure if they were needed the spring companies would supply them.

Jack15T · 05-05-2019, 09:29 AM

I'm sure it is a castor shim. I haven't received it yet. The truck went down the road pretty straight before I took it apart. I won't know if I need to adjust the caster until it's done and I can get it on an alignment rack. That will be a while. But I will post what I find. Thanks for the input Guys, Cheers

**Ol Blue K20** · 05-05-2019, 10:49 AM

I have never had a shim in any of my trucks. I have thrown away the nylon anti-squeak pads that Tim mentioned......

**DeadheadNM** · 05-05-2019, 10:53 AM

I'm curious: are those anti-squeak pads available and is it really important to use brand new U-bolts whenever the old u-bolts are loosened or removed?

Edit- similar product: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flat-...ners,7471.html

**BlazerBill** · 05-05-2019, 01:13 PM

Reference photo

**Ol Blue K20** · 05-05-2019, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazerBill

Reference photo

That's the nylon Tim and I were talking about. ....

Jack15T · 05-17-2019, 03:28 PM

Well my shim's showed up. They are not caster shims but four, what I guess are, anti squeak pads. Don't waste your money.

05-04-2019, 09:15 PM	#1
Jack15T Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Sandy, Utah Posts: 102	K20 Suspension question Hi Folks, I have a 71 K20 pickup that I am installing new front springs. I have seen several exploded diagrams of the front suspension. The diagrams show a spacer between the spring pad and on top of the spring underneath the mounting block. My new springs centering bolt head is to short to use a spacer with. I suppose I could get a longer one. There wasn't a spacer on either side of the spring pack when I removed it. The local spring shop that sold me the springs states that I don't need them. The only thing I can think of is they are used to adjust the ride height or they are shims to set the caster. Any ideas? Thanks, Jack

05-04-2019, 09:20 PM	#2
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: K20 Suspension question Caster shim would be my thought. My truck has them __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

05-04-2019, 10:26 PM	#3
Jack15T Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Sandy, Utah Posts: 102	Re: K20 Suspension question Well, I ordered them. I will see what shows up. If they are shims, I wonder what the factory shim size was? I can't find it any where. I guess I will have to put it on the alignment rack and se what I have for caster and go from there. Nice looking vette by the way. I had a 66 convertible also Nasa Blue. I did a frame off on it up in Vermont back in the late 80's. Unfortunately I let it go. I wish now I still owned it. It was a beautiful car. A guy from the Carolina's bought it for His Grand Daughters graduation. I hope She could appreciate all the blood sweat and tears that went into that car. Which engine do you have in that?

05-05-2019, 05:57 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: K20 Suspension question I've never known a K/20, or K/10, to come from factory with a spacer or a shim. I have never had to add a shim. Chances are real good your's won't need them either. Got any diagram pictures to show what you think is a spacer? Could it be the nylon anti-squeek pad, about as thick as a piece of paper? They are usually shot and I just toss them. I have noticed no ill effect from them being gone. I figure if they were needed the spring companies would supply them. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-05-2019, 09:29 AM	#6
Jack15T Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Sandy, Utah Posts: 102	Re: K20 Suspension question I'm sure it is a castor shim. I haven't received it yet. The truck went down the road pretty straight before I took it apart. I won't know if I need to adjust the caster until it's done and I can get it on an alignment rack. That will be a while. But I will post what I find. Thanks for the input Guys, Cheers

05-05-2019, 10:49 AM	#7
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 16,242	Re: K20 Suspension question I have never had a shim in any of my trucks. I have thrown away the nylon anti-squeak pads that Tim mentioned...... __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man R.I.P. FleetsidePaul

05-05-2019, 10:53 AM	#8
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,424	Re: K20 Suspension question I'm curious: are those anti-squeak pads available and is it really important to use brand new U-bolts whenever the old u-bolts are loosened or removed? Edit- similar product: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flat-...ners,7471.html __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland Last edited by DeadheadNM; 05-05-2019 at 11:06 AM.

05-05-2019, 01:13 PM	#9
BlazerBill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern ca. Wine country Posts: 405	Re: K20 Suspension question Reference photo Attached Images

05-17-2019, 03:28 PM	#11
Jack15T Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Sandy, Utah Posts: 102	Re: K20 Suspension question Well my shim's showed up. They are not caster shims but four, what I guess are, anti squeak pads. Don't waste your money.



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