Original front axle?

[Knothead]

I was admiring the bumpers just back from being rechromed. when I noticed the wave in the front axle. Is this normal?

[coralhead]

That axel looks to be twisted to me......

[coralhead]

That axle looks to be twisted to me......

[geoffcalii]

i read in a mag. a lil wile ago that thats how the aligned the camber angle on a strait axle

[dwcsr]

They did bend the outer part of the beam for alignment but this looks like it was either driven over and onto something that bent the beam or it was jacked up with a very heavy load on it. It may well have been in a wreck, We for get that these trucks lived a hard life before we got them.

[geoffcalii]

of what i read and from the pics in the mag ur and the mag look alike. the chained the outer parts of the axle to the rack and took a hydralic botle jack towards the center and bent it till the camber was right

[Russell Ashley]

It does look like it's tweaked but I'd take it to a front end shop and get the alignment checked. If it's good then no problem. Like someone already mentioned, they align a straight axle by bending it and what you see might be the result of a previous alignment.

That's an interesting spacer you have between the springs and axle.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by geoffcalii

of what i read and from the pics in the mag ur and the mag look alike. the chained the outer parts of the axle to the rack and took a hydralic botle jack towards the center and bent it till the camber was right

You do do that, actually chain the outside and then inside with the jack between the chains but that axle appears to have a twist in it from some sort of damage.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

A quick check would be to set it on a level floor & put a level on the side of the tires. They should be real close to verticle. A slight amount of leaning out at the top is pos. camber. That's generally where they are set. Of coarse you want no play in the kingpins or wheel brgs.

[MrTucker]

I can take a pic when I get home, but my front axel is totally straight - no bend or wave

[Knothead]

It's strange how I never noticied it before. I did just install some 4 degree wedges to set caster. Maybe with the angle change it has became more noticable? Thanks guys

[FFredo]

After reading this I took a look at mine, it seems to have basicly the same bend as the one you posted pics of. Good to know that it is probably done on purpose..
Check that one off the list.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The thickest part of the caster shim goes to the rear to increase the caster. You can't tell from the photos if thats the way you have it.

[Knothead]

Thanks again, The truck drives like you would expect from original setup. The wedges were installed from the rear ,helped alot. I guess I won't worry about it to much.

[Knothead]

Looks like I may need another axle or I could fire up the rose bud! With a level against the tire I had to move the top away from the tire about an inch to achieve level.