Wheel Centering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

62 Bowtie · 02-23-2010, 02:32 AM

Can someone tell me why my wheel appears to be off center and how to correct it. I have 5" lowered coils and another 1&1/2 blocks. Is it my trac bar cuz thats still stock and I see adjustable ones for sale not sure hope you guys can help

I hope you can tell by the pic its more towards the rear

tapeworm · 02-23-2010, 03:08 AM

Measure the distance between the wheel well lip and the tire. If your track bar is too long (which it most likely is with that much drop) it will be pushing the rear end towards one side of the truck.

Maybe not the problem, but def someting to check

Slow Build · 02-23-2010, 03:23 AM

As Tapeworm mentioned. The trac bar deals with side to side movement not forward and back.

tapeworm · 02-23-2010, 03:43 AM

Sorry, I have not put blocks in my truck (well, not yet anyways

)

This may be tough to tell without taking the truck apart, but is the rearend sitting on the right spot of the control arms? Not sure if the blocks have some sort of locating pin, but maybe the blocks and rearend are sitting too far foward or back on the control arms

Also, not sure if its possible, but if there is enough pressure on the rearend from the panhard bar, could it maybe be "twisting" the rear end?

My truck is dropped much less, about 3-4" (the 6" springs in my sig are not in yet) and already the rearend is pushed about 1-2" to the right side

I plan on buying a Super Track bar kit from Early Classic (65-up.) It will have to be modified where it mounts to the frame, to make it work on my 64.

We'll thats whats planned anyways

*lakeroadster* · 02-23-2010, 09:47 AM

Everyone with a lowered truck has experienced this unless they have modified the stock swing arm configuration. It's just the nature of the beast due to the swing arm design.

On a swing arm truck the more you lower the truck the farther back the tire will be. Think about it. The rear end swings on a radius based on the length of the swing arms.

If it really bugs ya you could:
A) shorten the track arms,
B) relocate the upper shock mounts,
C) relocate the upper spring mounts,
D) shorten the driveshaft.

Or, if you are a body working guru, relocate the wheel opening on the fender.

Or you can adopt the philosophy of:

"What therefore General Motors has joined together, let no one put asunder."

SCOTI · 02-23-2010, 11:04 AM

Actually, the wheel/tire combo moves forward within the wheel well on extreme drops. Thats why some guys reposition the rear axle C/L to keep the wheel/tire centered.

vin63 · 02-23-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Actually, the wheel/tire combo moves forward within the wheel well on extreme drops. Thats why some guys reposition the rear axle C/L to keep the wheel/tire centered.

X2...this is why I stretched my rear wheel openings 3.5" forward.

In 62 Bowtie's case, it appears to me that it could be a bed mounting issue, since it's not that far off.

fleetsidelarry · 02-23-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

Everyone with a lowered truck has experienced this unless they have modified the stock swing arm configuration. It's just the nature of the beast due to the swing arm design.

On a swing arm truck the more you lower the truck the farther back the tire will be. Think about it. The rear end swings on a radius based on the length of the swing arms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Actually, the wheel/tire combo moves forward within the wheel well on extreme drops. Thats why some guys reposition the rear axle C/L to keep the wheel/tire centered.

Actually, IMO, I think both of you are right, just depends on the amount of drop. If, with stock, the trailing arms are angled down, as you lower the truck, the arc will tend to move the CL back, once the trailing arms are past parallel to the ground (SCOTI did say "extreme" drops) the arc would tend to move the wheels forward.

62 Bowtie · 02-23-2010, 12:34 PM

Tapeworm wrote Also, not sure if its possible, but if there is enough pressure on the rearend from the panhard bar, could it maybe be "twisting" the rear end

This is kinda what I was thinking too. What I have noticed is my panhard bar is horizontal with no angle like it used to be. (a side note) I just installed the blocks and this became more noticeable. Heres another pic

SCOTI · 02-23-2010, 02:01 PM

The Panhard bar should be parallel to the ground @ ride height for best performance (least amount of side to side movement throughout suspension travel).

To make 100% sure, is the concern the wheels aren't centered fore/aft or L/R?

fleetsidelarry · 02-23-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCOTI

The Panhard bar should be parallel to the ground @ ride height for best performance (least amount of side to side movement throughout suspension travel).

To make 100% sure, is the concern the wheels aren't centered fore/aft or L/R?

also, for clarification, if it's fore/aft, is it just one wheel or are they both off-center?

*lakeroadster* · 02-23-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fleetsidelarry

Actually, IMO, I think both of you are right, just depends on the amount of drop. If, with stock, the trailing arms are angled down, as you lower the truck, the arc will tend to move the CL back, once the trailing arms are past parallel to the ground (SCOTI did say "extreme" drops) the arc would tend to move the wheels forward.

I agree with Fleetside Larry. However, since the trailing arms mount to the crossmember, which is at frame level, the only way the wheel moves forward, on a truck dropped lower than stock, is if the trailing arms swings above the frame. That is indeed extreme, much more extreme than the drop shown in the photo by 62 Bowtie.

62 Bowtie · 02-23-2010, 07:27 PM

Well after reading the replys its aft more so on the passenger side

Slow Build · 02-23-2010, 09:35 PM

So it doesn't go down the road straight.

SCOTI · 02-23-2010, 09:50 PM

Also, what is the gap dimension between the front bed wall & the back of the cab?

*lakeroadster* · 02-24-2010, 08:48 AM

For a quick check to see if the rear axle is straight measure from the rear tire to the front tire on both sides. Should be the same.

If you think it is off because you measured the rear tire to sheet metal, such as the fender opening lip, it may be a sheet metal problem.

The above measurement technique should help identify what is actually out of square, if anything.

And IMHO, the tire placement on your truck looks good, doesn't look that "untypical" too me. Actually the front and rear tire placement in the fender openings seem similar and correct.

Here are a couple other stepsides from my archive that have the wheels biased toward the back.

StuckinAz · 02-24-2010, 10:30 AM

62 Bow Tie-
What a beautiful truck! I am very intrested in your wheel and tire setup. Can you give me info on who made them, what the call them, sizes, off sets, where to find them, etc. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

62 Bowtie · 02-24-2010, 12:35 PM

Lakeroadster thats it! Thoes pics made me feel a lot better, I kept looking at my truck thinking was it alwas like that? I think its more noticeable when its lowered. These kinda things drive me crazy. Thanks for setteling that, I did order a new adj. trac bar. And no it doesn't drive crooked! My comment about more so on one side was incorrect. All measurements I took are square maybe a 1/4 in. here and there nothin major. StuckinAz pm sent, thanks I guess my wifes right Im too picky

*lakeroadster* · 02-24-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62 Bowtie

Lakeroadster thats it! Those pics made me feel a lot better, I kept looking at my truck thinking was it always like that? I think its more noticeable when its lowered. These kinda things drive me crazy. Thanks for setteling that,

I am glad I could help.... and I too am a card carrying member of the "these kinda things drive me crazy" club.

02-23-2010, 02:32 AM	#1
62 Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elk Grove Ca Posts: 629	Wheel Centering Can someone tell me why my wheel appears to be off center and how to correct it. I have 5" lowered coils and another 1&1/2 blocks. Is it my trac bar cuz thats still stock and I see adjustable ones for sale not sure hope you guys can help I hope you can tell by the pic its more towards the rear Attached Images

02-23-2010, 03:08 AM	#2
tapeworm fan of "Butters" Stotch Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 267	Re: Wheel Centering Measure the distance between the wheel well lip and the tire. If your track bar is too long (which it most likely is with that much drop) it will be pushing the rear end towards one side of the truck. Maybe not the problem, but def someting to check __________________ 64 shortbox fleetside replacing rusty junk with more junk, and one day to become a real truck again

02-23-2010, 03:23 AM	#3
Slow Build Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Delta Posts: 2,163	Re: Wheel Centering As Tapeworm mentioned. The trac bar deals with side to side movement not forward and back. __________________ Name: Rich Current Ride: 1964 C-10 Short Fleetside Daily Driver: 2005 GMC crew cab short fleetside /2001 Chevy Tahoe Past GM Trucks: 1959 GMC short stepside 1968 GMC short stepside-4x4 1973 Chevy short stepside 1989 Chevy short fleetside-reg cab 1993 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab 2002 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab Save the dinosaurs, use synthetic oil. Last edited by Slow Build; 02-23-2010 at 03:25 AM.

02-23-2010, 03:43 AM	#4
tapeworm fan of "Butters" Stotch Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 267	Re: Wheel Centering Sorry, I have not put blocks in my truck (well, not yet anyways) This may be tough to tell without taking the truck apart, but is the rearend sitting on the right spot of the control arms? Not sure if the blocks have some sort of locating pin, but maybe the blocks and rearend are sitting too far foward or back on the control arms Also, not sure if its possible, but if there is enough pressure on the rearend from the panhard bar, could it maybe be "twisting" the rear end? My truck is dropped much less, about 3-4" (the 6" springs in my sig are not in yet) and already the rearend is pushed about 1-2" to the right side I plan on buying a Super Track bar kit from Early Classic (65-up.) It will have to be modified where it mounts to the frame, to make it work on my 64. We'll thats whats planned anyways __________________ 64 shortbox fleetside replacing rusty junk with more junk, and one day to become a real truck again Last edited by tapeworm; 02-23-2010 at 03:44 AM.

02-23-2010, 09:47 AM	#5
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	Re: Wheel Centering Everyone with a lowered truck has experienced this unless they have modified the stock swing arm configuration. It's just the nature of the beast due to the swing arm design. On a swing arm truck the more you lower the truck the farther back the tire will be. Think about it. The rear end swings on a radius based on the length of the swing arms. If it really bugs ya you could: A) shorten the track arms, B) relocate the upper shock mounts, C) relocate the upper spring mounts, D) shorten the driveshaft. Or, if you are a body working guru, relocate the wheel opening on the fender. Or you can adopt the philosophy of: "What therefore General Motors has joined together, let no one put asunder." Attached Images Last edited by lakeroadster; 02-23-2010 at 09:53 AM.

02-23-2010, 11:04 AM	#6
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,946	Re: Wheel Centering Actually, the wheel/tire combo moves forward within the wheel well on extreme drops. Thats why some guys reposition the rear axle C/L to keep the wheel/tire centered. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

02-23-2010, 12:34 PM	#9
62 Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elk Grove Ca Posts: 629	Re: Wheel Centering Tapeworm wrote Also, not sure if its possible, but if there is enough pressure on the rearend from the panhard bar, could it maybe be "twisting" the rear end This is kinda what I was thinking too. What I have noticed is my panhard bar is horizontal with no angle like it used to be. (a side note) I just installed the blocks and this became more noticeable. Heres another pic Attached Images Last edited by 62 Bowtie; 02-23-2010 at 12:36 PM.

02-23-2010, 02:01 PM	#10
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,946	Re: Wheel Centering The Panhard bar should be parallel to the ground @ ride height for best performance (least amount of side to side movement throughout suspension travel). To make 100% sure, is the concern the wheels aren't centered fore/aft or L/R? __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

02-23-2010, 07:27 PM	#13
62 Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elk Grove Ca Posts: 629	Re: Wheel Centering Well after reading the replys its aft more so on the passenger side

02-23-2010, 09:35 PM	#14
Slow Build Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Delta Posts: 2,163	Re: Wheel Centering So it doesn't go down the road straight. __________________ Name: Rich Current Ride: 1964 C-10 Short Fleetside Daily Driver: 2005 GMC crew cab short fleetside /2001 Chevy Tahoe Past GM Trucks: 1959 GMC short stepside 1968 GMC short stepside-4x4 1973 Chevy short stepside 1989 Chevy short fleetside-reg cab 1993 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab 2002 Chevy short fleetside-Xcab Save the dinosaurs, use synthetic oil.

02-23-2010, 09:50 PM	#15
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,946	Re: Wheel Centering Also, what is the gap dimension between the front bed wall & the back of the cab? __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

02-24-2010, 08:48 AM	#16
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	Re: Wheel Centering For a quick check to see if the rear axle is straight measure from the rear tire to the front tire on both sides. Should be the same. If you think it is off because you measured the rear tire to sheet metal, such as the fender opening lip, it may be a sheet metal problem. The above measurement technique should help identify what is actually out of square, if anything. And IMHO, the tire placement on your truck looks good, doesn't look that "untypical" too me. Actually the front and rear tire placement in the fender openings seem similar and correct. Here are a couple other stepsides from my archive that have the wheels biased toward the back. Attached Images Last edited by lakeroadster; 02-24-2010 at 08:57 AM.

02-24-2010, 10:30 AM	#17
StuckinAz GM ONLY Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Goodyear, Arizona Posts: 73	Re: Wheel Centering 62 Bow Tie- What a beautiful truck! I am very intrested in your wheel and tire setup. Can you give me info on who made them, what the call them, sizes, off sets, where to find them, etc. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks. __________________ "59 Apache Short Step "64 GMC Short Wide "07 Crewcab "08 Tricked Tahoe

02-24-2010, 12:35 PM	#18
62 Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elk Grove Ca Posts: 629	Re: Wheel Centering Lakeroadster thats it! Thoes pics made me feel a lot better, I kept looking at my truck thinking was it alwas like that? I think its more noticeable when its lowered. These kinda things drive me crazy. Thanks for setteling that, I did order a new adj. trac bar. And no it doesn't drive crooked! My comment about more so on one side was incorrect. All measurements I took are square maybe a 1/4 in. here and there nothin major. StuckinAz pm sent, thanks I guess my wifes right Im too picky Last edited by 62 Bowtie; 02-24-2010 at 12:36 PM.



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