help with axle plz help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Brad2thabone · 07-28-2008, 09:38 PM

today i removed the axle out from my truck to remove some old brackets on it. Im goin to be installing a parallel link soon, im worried that when i put it the axle back in place and weld the links that it will be crooked, any ideas to keep it straight?

joe231 · 07-28-2008, 10:01 PM

measure, measure, measure, measure, and measure
when you think you are done. measure some more
find places to reference on the frame that are symmetrical and measure on the diagonal, side to side, and front to back to keep everything square
wouldn't hurt to keep a note book to jot down measurements

Brad2thabone · 07-29-2008, 04:53 PM

Joe, thanks alot man...i really appreciate the help.

joe231 · 07-29-2008, 09:38 PM

no problem

GMBowtie79 · 07-29-2008, 10:41 PM

You cuold also just tack weld a couple pieces of 2x2 square tube to the frame and axle at ride height to keep it positioned, make sure your pinion angle is correct, and weld the 4link in place. When done remove the square tubes.

joe231 · 07-29-2008, 11:50 PM

good thinking!!!

RunninLo · 07-30-2008, 12:09 AM

be sure to have the pinion angle set at your desired ride height. one mistake I made early on in my shop days was I did just what you're describing but I tacked the axle to the frame at the stock height. my actual end result height was ~8" lower and the pinion angle was off. there wasn't enough adjustment for me to get a satisfactory result.
anyway tack your axle in where you plan to be at ride height. and set your brackets so your bars are parallel to the ground. you can use a magnetic dial angle finder to get your pinion set and then tack there before you double check every measurement.
a lot of guys will hang the axle from some old U-bolts tacked to the frame that way the axle can be slid side to side or rotated to the correct pinion.

josh

joe231 · 07-30-2008, 12:38 AM

hey RunninLo...sorry to 'jack this thread....you running or have you ran a york engine driven compressor???? if so, got any pix??.......[/hijack]

RunninLo · 07-30-2008, 10:28 AM

I have one but it isn't in yet. I'll be making my own brakets I think. Good york resource here:
http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/compressors.htm

and now back to our regularly sheduled thread,
Josh

joe231 · 07-30-2008, 10:38 AM

cool, thanks
I'm planning on making my own brackets to mate it to my 283, just looking for ideas

Brad2thabone · 08-03-2008, 09:49 PM

Thx guys, im almost ready to weld the paralell link. I just need to make a million measurements. Ill post some pics soon.

07-28-2008, 09:38 PM	#1
Brad2thabone Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 42	help with axle plz help today i removed the axle out from my truck to remove some old brackets on it. Im goin to be installing a parallel link soon, im worried that when i put it the axle back in place and weld the links that it will be crooked, any ideas to keep it straight?

07-28-2008, 10:01 PM	#2
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: help with axle plz help measure, measure, measure, measure, and measure when you think you are done. measure some more find places to reference on the frame that are symmetrical and measure on the diagonal, side to side, and front to back to keep everything square wouldn't hurt to keep a note book to jot down measurements __________________ *CHEVY ONLY* Last edited by joe231; 07-28-2008 at 10:02 PM.

07-29-2008, 04:53 PM	#3
Brad2thabone Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 42	Re: help with axle plz help Joe, thanks alot man...i really appreciate the help.

07-29-2008, 09:38 PM	#4
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: help with axle plz help no problem __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

07-29-2008, 10:41 PM	#5
GMBowtie79 Surviving, one day at a time! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Turlock,CA Posts: 295	Re: help with axle plz help You cuold also just tack weld a couple pieces of 2x2 square tube to the frame and axle at ride height to keep it positioned, make sure your pinion angle is correct, and weld the 4link in place. When done remove the square tubes. __________________ 79 Burb,350,tremic 5 spd, 4 wheel disc, daily driver 74 swb,350,350,driver & future project "There's no such thing as a finished project"

07-29-2008, 11:50 PM	#6
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: help with axle plz help good thinking!!! __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

07-30-2008, 12:09 AM	#7
RunninLo 3DrDwn--the 'burb not the band Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: missoula, mt Posts: 598	Re: help with axle plz help be sure to have the pinion angle set at your desired ride height. one mistake I made early on in my shop days was I did just what you're describing but I tacked the axle to the frame at the stock height. my actual end result height was ~8" lower and the pinion angle was off. there wasn't enough adjustment for me to get a satisfactory result. anyway tack your axle in where you plan to be at ride height. and set your brackets so your bars are parallel to the ground. you can use a magnetic dial angle finder to get your pinion set and then tack there before you double check every measurement. a lot of guys will hang the axle from some old U-bolts tacked to the frame that way the axle can be slid side to side or rotated to the correct pinion. josh __________________ Slo and Lo that is the tempo. '72 burb build page here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=259256 '89 GMC Dually crew build page coming soon. 88 4x4 crew DD duallys past/present pics here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...46#post4001246 89 1 ton Dually rear flip kit install here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=354327

07-30-2008, 12:38 AM	#8
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: help with axle plz help hey RunninLo...sorry to 'jack this thread....you running or have you ran a york engine driven compressor???? if so, got any pix??.......[/hijack] __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

07-30-2008, 10:28 AM	#9
RunninLo 3DrDwn--the 'burb not the band Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: missoula, mt Posts: 598	Re: help with axle plz help I have one but it isn't in yet. I'll be making my own brakets I think. Good york resource here: http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/compressors.htm and now back to our regularly sheduled thread, Josh __________________ Slo and Lo that is the tempo. '72 burb build page here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=259256 '89 GMC Dually crew build page coming soon. 88 4x4 crew DD duallys past/present pics here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...46#post4001246 89 1 ton Dually rear flip kit install here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=354327

07-30-2008, 10:38 AM	#10
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: help with axle plz help cool, thanks I'm planning on making my own brackets to mate it to my 283, just looking for ideas __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

08-03-2008, 09:49 PM	#11
Brad2thabone Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 42	Re: help with axle plz help Thx guys, im almost ready to weld the paralell link. I just need to make a million measurements. Ill post some pics soon.



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