Flip kit bracket too short?

[stomper]

I installed an eBay flip kit tonight. Set the axle in the brackets and the axle rotates. The vertical legs of the 'U' shape don't reach the spring perch pockets. I contacted the vendor and they said, "These are designed that way to set the piñon angle. Once the u bolts are torque the axle will not rotate."

This sounds ridiculous to me! I would not expect the ubolt friction to keep that axle from rotating. I've done 3 others and the brackets lifted the axle off the bottom just a hair. No rotation. Am I wrong?

[lolife99]

I wouldn't use those.
Buy a different brand.
I always liked using Belltech.

[stomper]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I wouldn't use those.
Buy a different brand.
I always liked using Belltech.

I agree but isn't the eBay seller full of it? I spent $100 on these and I think I should get my money back because of a poor design. Not how they are supposed to work. Just plain wrong.

[sweetk30]

file a clam for bad product on ebay or paypal if they dont play hardball .

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by stomper

I agree but isn't the eBay seller full of it? I spent $100 on these and I think I should get my money back because of a poor design. Not how they are supposed to work. Just plain wrong.

Yes.
I would request a refund.

They probably got a little off when they bent the 90 degree bends in a press brake. That would make the uprights of the flip kit bracket too short.
Plus I like the welded on side pieces that Belltech and Western Chassis uses in their flip kit bracket.

[Wikid61]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=778983

[bagged01extcab]

Originally Posted by Wikid61

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=778983

I bought a set of these from specialtyretail and they fit perfect. He also had great shipping time and customer service

[stomper]

Originally Posted by bagged01extcab

I bought a set of these from specialtyretail and they fit perfect. He also had great shipping time and customer service

I've bought a set of those from that post in the past. They fit as expected bottomed out in the spring perch pocket.

[stomper]

Made some proper ones at work. Waterjetted out of 1-3/4" A36 plate. Yes, I'll put a offset hole in them.

[cruizin01]

I had the same issue with my ridetech brackets. I ended up welding on a tab so I could get the pinion angle I wanted. I wonder if not all axles are exactly the same.

[Wikid61]

Are the wheel/tire combo dead center in the wheel wheels when done?

[kwmech]

Not that of a big deal. Set it up, set the pinion where you want it and weld them to the housing in a couple of spots. Between the weld and the u-bolts it won't move. Without welding the pinion will eventually work its way up relying on just the u-bolts

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Yes.
I would request a refund.

They probably got a little off when they bent the 90 degree bends in a press brake. That would make the uprights of the flip kit bracket too short.
Plus I like the welded on side pieces that Belltech and Western Chassis uses in their flip kit bracket.

x2.
No welded side brackets = less stability under stress.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by cruizin01

I had the same issue with my ridetech brackets. I ended up welding on a tab so I could get the pinion angle I wanted. I wonder if not all axles are exactly the same.

Most manufacturers of these brackets move the rearend back slightly.
This centers the rearend in the wheelwell after the flip to the top side of the leaf springs.
It also allows the use of the original driveshaft, without shortening the length.

[bigblock73]

You get what you pay for. As stated above, Bell Tech, Western Chassis and others are a much better design.

[Wikid61]

I'd like to see each companies flip brackets. Laid out side by side. Then standing upright side by side. Measurements recorded. Then fitted into the application. My 1st flip was 30 years ago w/Trailmaster. They had a 2" inch coil you could cut a 1/2 wrap and it was a solid 3". Rode killer fine. I still have a pair to dig up and pix.

[cruizin01]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Most manufacturers of these brackets move the rearend back slightly.
This centers the rearend in the wheelwell after the flip to the top side of the leaf springs.
It also allows the use of the original driveshaft, without shortening the length.

I understand what your saying but I dont think the height of the bracket effects that. At least in my case where you use the alignment pin and keep the bracket flat against the leaf. Obviously you can move the hole in the bracket front to back to get the axle centered.

These are the RT brackets. If you look closely you can see they dont even come close to hitting the bottom of the leaf pad. This caused the axle to turn inside the ubolts when going from D to R.