rotating a front diff? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Scrub · 12-27-2003, 12:24 PM

Anyone ever rotate their own front diff? How much to get it done by someone that knows what they are doing (which would exclude me)?

I know you need to burn out the plug welds and then reweld and machine the spring pad to a new angle. Do you need a press or anything?

Destructo · 12-27-2003, 12:47 PM

Maybe just use shims so you don't have to do all that?

Scrub · 12-27-2003, 02:03 PM

Yeah, That would probably be OK. It does change your kingpin angle, and dang, I just sold a set of wedges on e-bay.

Oh well.

Destructo · 12-27-2003, 09:59 PM

Damn thats right you got the D60 so you have kingpins, but I guess it wouldn't matter even for ball-joints because it would change their angle to. Dunno, I am installing a 4" lift kit soon as I get the front springs but i'm not sure what they do for the front if anything to correct the pinion angle.

Tonyp · 12-27-2003, 10:27 PM

if you do run the tapered shims on the dana 60 make sure you get an angled top plate for the passenger side leaf pac...

*1tonswb* · 12-28-2003, 01:25 AM

On one of my old trucks that had 13inch springs on I had dutchman motorsports of portland Oregon tip the front dana 60. I had them tip it a total of 25 degrees for the driveshaft angle. It ended up costing me around $600.00. That was about 8 years ago.

*1FaastC10* · 12-28-2003, 03:02 AM

wouldn't using shims screw up the alignment?

Destructo · 12-28-2003, 03:18 AM

It would mess the caster up some, other than that the ball joints in the steering system would probably handle a little bit of angle. I guess when you put lift on they don't normally give you angle shims for the front end. I'll find out when I get my springs.

*1tonswb* · 12-28-2003, 03:44 AM

Depending on the springs you get. The 4inch and 6inch springs dont include shims because you dont need them. 8inch and over do include shims.

DaHateTank · 12-28-2003, 10:22 PM

Whether or not you need them really depends on the angle between the yoke, and the driveshaft, IMO. Shorter wheelbases, have more severe angles, with less lift.

I have shims on the front of my blazer (6" lift), and it's sorta 'squirrely' from not having enough caster. I've thought about taking the shims out, and living with the poor driveshaft angle.

I could probly live with that, since I don't get off-road nearly enough, and, thusly, the front end isn't in use that much.

If I were building a truck for pure 4 wheeling, Id use the shims, and caster be damned.

TO do a true dual purpose vehgicle, and do it right, rotating the housing is the way to go, IMO. Id never do it to a D44, tho. Too much $$ to put into a 44...

-M

HeavyK20 · 12-30-2003, 01:03 PM

I think the tubes are pressed into the diff housing before they are plug welded, it may be near impossible to get them out without destroying them.

12-27-2003, 12:24 PM	#1
Scrub Collector of rusty Items Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sisters,Oregon USA Posts: 731	rotating a front diff? Anyone ever rotate their own front diff? How much to get it done by someone that knows what they are doing (which would exclude me)? I know you need to burn out the plug welds and then reweld and machine the spring pad to a new angle. Do you need a press or anything? __________________ Scrub Sisters, Oregon - Home of the Sisters Rodeo. 70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles 72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends.

12-27-2003, 02:03 PM	#3
Scrub Collector of rusty Items Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sisters,Oregon USA Posts: 731	Yeah, That would probably be OK. It does change your kingpin angle, and dang, I just sold a set of wedges on e-bay. Oh well. __________________ Scrub Sisters, Oregon - Home of the Sisters Rodeo. 70 GMC 1,000,000 + miles 72 K-20 project, 456 Dana60 front, Corp14 rear w/locker, 265R19.5 tires 20-ply. Warn 12k winches both ends, Cross-over steering with raised tie-rod, Powerbox steering, 4500 watt 120-AC power, Air, Hydraulic aux power, 4 inch lift, 5000 lb air-bags both ends.

12-27-2003, 10:27 PM	#5
Tonyp Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 179	if you do run the tapered shims on the dana 60 make sure you get an angled top plate for the passenger side leaf pac... __________________ 72 K/5 350/205 SOFT-TOP DOUG THORLEY HEADERS A/C CUSTOM REAR BUMPER http://www.socalbigdawgs.com/tr/7.18.03/DSC04290.JPG

12-30-2003, 01:03 PM	#11
HeavyK20 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: New Richmond, WI Posts: 547	I think the tubes are pressed into the diff housing before they are plug welded, it may be near impossible to get them out without destroying them. __________________ Eric 1969 K20, 465/205 package

12-27-2003, 12:47 PM	#2
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Maybe just use shims so you don't have to do all that?

12-27-2003, 09:59 PM	#4
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	Damn thats right you got the D60 so you have kingpins, but I guess it wouldn't matter even for ball-joints because it would change their angle to. Dunno, I am installing a 4" lift kit soon as I get the front springs but i'm not sure what they do for the front if anything to correct the pinion angle.

12-28-2003, 01:25 AM	#6
1tonswb Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 300	On one of my old trucks that had 13inch springs on I had dutchman motorsports of portland Oregon tip the front dana 60. I had them tip it a total of 25 degrees for the driveshaft angle. It ended up costing me around $600.00. That was about 8 years ago.

12-28-2003, 03:02 AM	#7
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	wouldn't using shims screw up the alignment?

12-28-2003, 03:18 AM	#8
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	It would mess the caster up some, other than that the ball joints in the steering system would probably handle a little bit of angle. I guess when you put lift on they don't normally give you angle shims for the front end. I'll find out when I get my springs.

12-28-2003, 03:44 AM	#9
1tonswb Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 300	Depending on the springs you get. The 4inch and 6inch springs dont include shims because you dont need them. 8inch and over do include shims.

12-28-2003, 10:22 PM	#10
DaHateTank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Iowa Posts: 119	Whether or not you need them really depends on the angle between the yoke, and the driveshaft, IMO. Shorter wheelbases, have more severe angles, with less lift. I have shims on the front of my blazer (6" lift), and it's sorta 'squirrely' from not having enough caster. I've thought about taking the shims out, and living with the poor driveshaft angle. I could probly live with that, since I don't get off-road nearly enough, and, thusly, the front end isn't in use that much. If I were building a truck for pure 4 wheeling, Id use the shims, and caster be damned. TO do a true dual purpose vehgicle, and do it right, rotating the housing is the way to go, IMO. Id never do it to a D44, tho. Too much $$ to put into a 44... -M



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