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

dirtyd_nd · 03-11-2010, 10:08 PM

What are my options if I want to center my front wheels? I don't want to bag it though. I could have sworn I saw a thread a while back, but can't find it. If I remember correctly, you can't use the Dropmember with springs. Thanks for the help!!!
Dale

Test Pilot · 03-11-2010, 10:51 PM

I've heard of people removing the cross member, making a template of the mounting holes. Then fill in the old holes and drill new ones.
There may be an easier way these days that still doesn't require an aftermarket cross member.

I'm hoping that the upper and lower control arms that CPP offers will help in this. They are supposed to add 5* of Caster which if they get this through moving the lower ball joint forward would help the situation.

ShredSled · 03-11-2010, 10:57 PM

pardon my lack of knowledge here, but what do you mean by "centering the wheels"? Are they off center more to one side than the other from the factory??

Test Pilot · 03-11-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShredSled

pardon my lack of knowledge here, but what do you mean by "centering the wheels"? Are they off center more to one side than the other from the factory??

The wheels sit toward the rear of the fender opening from the factory.
I've see some trucks that were more noticeable than others.

Another method of correcting this I've seen was moving the cab back on the mounts as far as possible or moving the mounts back themselves.

**lolife99** · 03-11-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtyd_nd

What are my options if I want to center my front wheels? I don't want to bag it though. I could have sworn I saw a thread a while back, but can't find it. If I remember correctly, you can't use the Dropmember with springs. Thanks for the help!!!
Dale

You can always install a Dropmember with bags and run schrader valves.
Air them to your ride height, and drive.
The increased ground clearance makes it worth the money.

ShredSled · 03-11-2010, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Test Pilot

The wheels sit toward the rear of the fender opening from the factory.
I've see some trucks that were more noticeable than others.

Another method of correcting this I've seen was moving the cab back on the mounts as far as possible or moving the mounts back themselves.

ahhh, ok now I see what you're saying. I had something else pictured in my mind, like offset to drivers or passenger side, not front to back. Thanks for the explanation.

Now I wonder about the dropmember I see so much about on this site.
But more realisticly for me, I've also been looking at those CPP tubular A-arms instead. I'm going for a static drop, but the air bags with shraders does sound like a cheap and easy way to do it.

nicolas72gmc · 03-11-2010, 11:23 PM

ShredSled, I was thinking the same thing you were. My trucks driver's side sticks out further than the Pass. side by about 1/2" or maybe a little more. Has anyone else noticed this on their truck?

Jeffs70 · 03-11-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Test Pilot

The wheels sit toward the rear of the fender opening from the factory.
I've see some trucks that were more noticeable than others.

Another method of correcting this I've seen was moving the cab back on the mounts as far as possible or moving the mounts back themselves.

Now I am wondering about this, Curious to know just about how far back they sit back. anyone have any ideas on this? or approx. I am guessing approx. 2" ?

Jeffs70 · 03-11-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicolas72gmc

ShredSled, I was thinking the same thing you were. My trucks driver's side sticks out further than the Pass. side by about 1/2" or maybe a little more. Has anyone else noticed this on their truck?

I am going to make a guess here on a fix to this. You might be able to loosen back your body mounts on the cab and the radiator support/ front clip and then move the whole front cab around a bit as much as you think you need it moved over and tighten the mounts and see where you sit then.

Ronm909 · 03-12-2010, 01:21 AM

the lower you go the more the wheels get pushed back because of caster. thats the issue, the dropmember that is spoken alot about corrects this issue of centering by moving it forward and also narrowing front to tire width. its a great investment if you want to bag

dirtyd_nd · 03-12-2010, 04:51 PM

lolife- I don't think I could just do schrader valves. I had an '89 RCSB that laid out. I think if I start down that road it's all or nothing. Specially if I had the Dropmember. Front's done why not do the rear and lay it out? Great! Now I think I talked myself into going bags. What the. . .
Dale

03-11-2010, 10:08 PM	#1
dirtyd_nd Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: JACKSONVILLE, FL Posts: 112	Centering Front wheels What are my options if I want to center my front wheels? I don't want to bag it though. I could have sworn I saw a thread a while back, but can't find it. If I remember correctly, you can't use the Dropmember with springs. Thanks for the help!!! Dale

03-11-2010, 10:51 PM	#2
Test Pilot Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Triangle area of NC Posts: 67	Re: Centering Front wheels I've heard of people removing the cross member, making a template of the mounting holes. Then fill in the old holes and drill new ones. There may be an easier way these days that still doesn't require an aftermarket cross member. I'm hoping that the upper and lower control arms that CPP offers will help in this. They are supposed to add 5* of Caster which if they get this through moving the lower ball joint forward would help the situation.

03-11-2010, 10:57 PM	#3
ShredSled Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 159	Re: Centering Front wheels pardon my lack of knowledge here, but what do you mean by "centering the wheels"? Are they off center more to one side than the other from the factory?? __________________ get it!

03-11-2010, 11:23 PM	#7
nicolas72gmc Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sunny Arizona Posts: 525	Re: Centering Front wheels ShredSled, I was thinking the same thing you were. My trucks driver's side sticks out further than the Pass. side by about 1/2" or maybe a little more. Has anyone else noticed this on their truck? __________________ Nick "Everyone has a plan, 'till they get punched in the mouth".........Mike Tyson 1968, GMC, SWB, Project 1972, GMC, LWB, Daily Driver, 383, headers, 2.5"/3" exhaust, 200r4, 3.5/5 ECE components. 1972, C/10, LWB, 350 vortec, th350

03-12-2010, 01:21 AM	#10
Ronm909 67GMC Slammed Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca Posts: 255	Re: Centering Front wheels the lower you go the more the wheels get pushed back because of caster. thats the issue, the dropmember that is spoken alot about corrects this issue of centering by moving it forward and also narrowing front to tire width. its a great investment if you want to bag __________________ my dropmembered 67 GMC build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=383215

03-12-2010, 04:51 PM	#11
dirtyd_nd Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: JACKSONVILLE, FL Posts: 112	Re: Centering Front wheels lolife- I don't think I could just do schrader valves. I had an '89 RCSB that laid out. I think if I start down that road it's all or nothing. Specially if I had the Dropmember. Front's done why not do the rear and lay it out? Great! Now I think I talked myself into going bags. What the. . . Dale



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