72 k20 front axle qestion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**nitrosport_5** · 05-23-2014, 05:46 PM

I've got my 72 k20 front dana 44 apart and going back together. I only took the brake backing plates and anything attached with those 6 bolts. Nothing else. Once I got it back together after repainting and having a couple pieces rechromed, my tires are tipped out at the top and in at the bottom slightly. This is with the axle sitting on the ground with only the weight of a bare frame. This normal? If not what did I do wrong? I do have an axle truss I reinstalled. Did I get it too tight?

Thanks

**special-K** · 05-26-2014, 07:49 AM

I can't see where anything you did could cause this. My thought is it must have been this way before and you didn't notice. The only other thing would be if there had been shims used on the spindles for caster adjustment that were put in differently. The axles is rigid and,basically,would have to be bent to have the caster off. Off all the 4wds I've had,none have ever needed shims for caster. The trusses came out to prevent any axle flex or bending. It certainly doesn't have the strength to pull an axle out of shape. At least I can't imagine it could.

mjensen · 05-26-2014, 12:04 PM

I could be wrong, but I think there is an adjustable sleeve in the top ball joint that would allow for minimal adjustments to the camber. Mine has the same trouble after replacing my ball joints, but I haven't tried adjusting that yet, so I'm not sure if it's going to fix it.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 05-27-2014, 08:37 AM

I had a front dana 44 with a loose axle tube. If you had the same problem and over tighten the axle truss, it might give you the camber problem your looking at.

The upper ball joint sleeve is for pre loading the joint, not a camber adjustment.

mjensen · 05-27-2014, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDCHEV4X4

I had a front dana 44 with a loose axle tube. If you had the same problem and over tighten the axle truss, it might give you the camber problem your looking at.

The upper ball joint sleeve is for pre loading the joint, not a camber adjustment.

Yeah, you're right in their stock form. They do have the aftermarket eccentric sleeves which is what I guess I meant

.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 05-28-2014, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjensen

Yeah, you're right

.

I was right!! Please call my wife and tell her that I was right!
She will probably tell you that you are wrong.

**D.PASSMORE** · 05-28-2014, 08:15 AM

There is a stock shim behind the hub that is used to set camber of the tires. Its a round plate that fits into the inside studs (6 or 8 - 3/8 NFT). Its thicker on one side (end) and thinner on the opposite side. When you take it apart, you have to ensure both sides are the same for whatever camber you desire on the tires.

**D.PASSMORE** · 05-28-2014, 09:33 PM

At the end of the arrow - shim fits around face.

**nitrosport_5** · 05-28-2014, 11:53 PM

thanks guys. I will have to check that shim. if that fails i will take the truss off and see if it corrects it. it also could be an illusion since i have no body on the frame currently. whenever i get some time i will pull it back apart and let you know what i find.

*72longbed* · 06-04-2014, 10:53 AM

nitrosport_5,
you hit the nail right on the head! I have done a few 'frame up' restorations and the 4x4's all sit this way (in my experience) with fresh springs and front end components until you lower an engine/trans, cab, front rad support, fenders, hood, bed, etc. onto the frame. Do not rush to 'correct' something that ain't yet broke, until you have all the weight on the truck.

That's just been my experience.

72

BigRed76 · 06-08-2014, 05:34 PM

The vehicle weight will have zero effect on the camber angles on a solid axle. So once the rest of the truck is together the camber will remain unchanged.

**nitrosport_5** · 06-08-2014, 06:01 PM

I double checked everything and its all correct as far as I see. So it may just be an illusion but I'll wait and address it once in have the body in the frame. The way mine is assembled is

Cone that has needle bearing for axle shaft, brake plate, rotor

. There are no shims installed. Everything is as it was before I tore it apart. So I will report back once in get it back together and see of it was an illusion or truly off

05-23-2014, 05:46 PM	#1
nitrosport_5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: St. John, Washington Posts: 617	72 k20 front axle qestion I've got my 72 k20 front dana 44 apart and going back together. I only took the brake backing plates and anything attached with those 6 bolts. Nothing else. Once I got it back together after repainting and having a couple pieces rechromed, my tires are tipped out at the top and in at the bottom slightly. This is with the axle sitting on the ground with only the weight of a bare frame. This normal? If not what did I do wrong? I do have an axle truss I reinstalled. Did I get it too tight? Thanks __________________ "Rusty" 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super, 496, A/C, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, 4l80e/NP205, 4" Rancho Lift, 35" BFG AT "Ramp Truck" 1972 C30 Ramp Truck 350, Air Bags, Factory A/C. "1968" C10 Shortbed project

05-26-2014, 07:49 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 72 k20 front axle qestion I can't see where anything you did could cause this. My thought is it must have been this way before and you didn't notice. The only other thing would be if there had been shims used on the spindles for caster adjustment that were put in differently. The axles is rigid and,basically,would have to be bent to have the caster off. Off all the 4wds I've had,none have ever needed shims for caster. The trusses came out to prevent any axle flex or bending. It certainly doesn't have the strength to pull an axle out of shape. At least I can't imagine it could. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-26-2014, 12:04 PM	#3
mjensen Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 1,562	Re: 72 k20 front axle qestion I could be wrong, but I think there is an adjustable sleeve in the top ball joint that would allow for minimal adjustments to the camber. Mine has the same trouble after replacing my ball joints, but I haven't tried adjusting that yet, so I'm not sure if it's going to fix it. __________________ Mike '69 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 Build Thread

05-27-2014, 08:37 AM	#4
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: 72 k20 front axle qestion I had a front dana 44 with a loose axle tube. If you had the same problem and over tighten the axle truss, it might give you the camber problem your looking at. The upper ball joint sleeve is for pre loading the joint, not a camber adjustment. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

05-28-2014, 08:15 AM	#7
D.PASSMORE One of the First Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: St. Augustine,FL. Posts: 4,055	Re: 72 k20 front axle qestion There is a stock shim behind the hub that is used to set camber of the tires. Its a round plate that fits into the inside studs (6 or 8 - 3/8 NFT). Its thicker on one side (end) and thinner on the opposite side. When you take it apart, you have to ensure both sides are the same for whatever camber you desire on the tires. __________________ DAVID PASSMORE ST AUGUSTINE ,FL ZIP 32084 '71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili) '72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule) '72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie)

05-28-2014, 09:33 PM	#8
D.PASSMORE One of the First Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: St. Augustine,FL. Posts: 4,055	Re: 72 k20 front axle qestion At the end of the arrow - shim fits around face. Attached Images __________________ DAVID PASSMORE ST AUGUSTINE ,FL ZIP 32084 '71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili) '72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule) '72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie)

05-28-2014, 11:53 PM	#9
nitrosport_5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: St. John, Washington Posts: 617	Re: 72 k20 front axle qestion thanks guys. I will have to check that shim. if that fails i will take the truss off and see if it corrects it. it also could be an illusion since i have no body on the frame currently. whenever i get some time i will pull it back apart and let you know what i find. __________________ "Rusty" 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super, 496, A/C, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, 4l80e/NP205, 4" Rancho Lift, 35" BFG AT "Ramp Truck" 1972 C30 Ramp Truck 350, Air Bags, Factory A/C. "1968" C10 Shortbed project

06-04-2014, 10:53 AM	#10
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	Re: 72 k20 front axle qestion nitrosport_5, you hit the nail right on the head! I have done a few 'frame up' restorations and the 4x4's all sit this way (in my experience) with fresh springs and front end components until you lower an engine/trans, cab, front rad support, fenders, hood, bed, etc. onto the frame. Do not rush to 'correct' something that ain't yet broke, until you have all the weight on the truck. That's just been my experience. 72

06-08-2014, 05:34 PM	#11
BigRed76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,921	Re: 72 k20 front axle qestion The vehicle weight will have zero effect on the camber angles on a solid axle. So once the rest of the truck is together the camber will remain unchanged. __________________ Zach 1970 Chevrolet Custom Camper K20 1971 GMC Super K2500, 12V/NV4500 swap in progress 1971 Chevrolet Custom C10 1972 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C20, 5.3/4L60E 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 455/TH400, 3.73 posi 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, LB7/Allison, CCSB 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3/4L60E, CCSB

06-08-2014, 06:01 PM	#12
nitrosport_5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: St. John, Washington Posts: 617	Re: 72 k20 front axle qestion I double checked everything and its all correct as far as I see. So it may just be an illusion but I'll wait and address it once in have the body in the frame. The way mine is assembled is Cone that has needle bearing for axle shaft, brake plate, rotor . There are no shims installed. Everything is as it was before I tore it apart. So I will report back once in get it back together and see of it was an illusion or truly off __________________ "Rusty" 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super, 496, A/C, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, 4l80e/NP205, 4" Rancho Lift, 35" BFG AT "Ramp Truck" 1972 C30 Ramp Truck 350, Air Bags, Factory A/C. "1968" C10 Shortbed project



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