Leafspring SHIM Question

project74 · 02-05-2012, 10:07 AM

when installing a degree shim between rear axle and spring pack...the center bolt on spring pack normally locates into the hole on the axle pad to secure it from movement...but when using a shim, the center bolt is too short to teach thru the shim to the axle pad, therefore not securing the axle to spring location...would'nt it be a better idea to replace the spring pack center bolt with a longer one (grade 8) so it DOES reach all the way to the axle pad?
any thoughts are appreciated...
Ed

..................it's the weekend so get in the shop!

Old Dog · 02-05-2012, 10:23 AM

you MUST replace the center bolt with a longer one. Like you said if you don't there's nothing to hold them together.

Torxhead · 02-05-2012, 11:16 AM

I use the Rancho leaf spring center bolt p/n RS8128.

project74 · 02-05-2012, 01:25 PM

torxhead...what size lift are you running? I guess It would be best to just remove one of the center bolts an compare it to others for what I need....I see there are some at Advance and also on internet If I know the specs.
thanks for the replies guys.
Ed

cigarette1 · 02-05-2012, 05:52 PM

I'm not seeing a bolt ... what I do see is a pin that is raised about 3/8"

The shim I am adding is about 3/16" at the point where the locating hole is and has a smaller hole than the pin (Warrior steel shims).

Can I simply drill out the shim to fit over the pin leaving about 3/16" to locate in the axle or do I need to somehow remove the pin and replace with a longer one?

Thanks in advance

project74 · 02-05-2012, 06:13 PM

The "pin" is the bolt...just has a rounded head instead of a hex head. I ended up finding replacment bolts at Advance ($5) and opened up the hole on the shim, I then added a couple of washers which fit the opening in the shim and allowed the bolt to protrude above the shim and into the axle pad hole....gonna work great!
Ed

cigarette1 · 02-05-2012, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by project74

The "pin" is the bolt...just has a rounded head instead of a hex head. I ended up finding replacment bolts at Advance ($5) and opened up the hole on the shim, I then added a couple of washers which fit the opening in the shim and allowed the bolt to protrude above the shim and into the axle pad hole....gonna work great!
Ed

Bear with me ...

Is the pin/bolt threaded? Does it screw into the bottom leaf? Or does it simply push through the holes in the leafs?

With that said, the pin/bolt is will still be vertical through the shim, however, the axle pad hole will now be trying to mount at a 4 degree angle .. is this going to be a problem when dropping the axle/pad over the pin or will it not matter?

Thanks again

G

project74 · 02-06-2012, 05:08 AM

Yes the bolt is threaded, it has a nut at the bottom just like the u-bolts do. It's just sitting in the locating hole of the lower spring pad, support the axles with a jack stand and unbolt the ubolts (one side at a time) to access the spring pack bolt. And no, it should'nt matter that the shim is 4 deg. the axle should rotate so that the axle pad sits flat on the shin...this is what changes the drive angle for the drive shaft u-joints.

cigarette1 · 02-06-2012, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by project74

Yes the bolt is threaded, it has a nut at the bottom just like the u-bolts do. It's just sitting in the locating hole of the lower spring pad, support the axles with a jack stand and unbolt the ubolts (one side at a time) to access the spring pack bolt. And no, it should'nt matter that the shim is 4 deg. the axle should rotate so that the axle pad sits flat on the shin...this is what changes the drive angle for the drive shaft u-joints.

OK ... since there is no hex head or allen, do I use vice grips to unscrew the pin/bolt ? Then find one 1/8"-1/4" longer? Can I use an allen bolt that fits the application?

I understand the the axle should rotate to the shim, but the pin is now at a 4 degree angle to the shim surface ... that's ok?

G

p.s. I didn't mention above that there is currently a Rancho 4' lift installed, if that makes a difference.

project74 · 02-06-2012, 07:01 PM

If you can add a pic or two to the next post so we can see what you are looking at. If you look under the leaf spring pack...in the center...there should be a flat plate for the u-bolts to go through and bolt down...in the middle of those u-bolt nuts there should be a 5th hole that the hex-head nut of the "pin" sits into. unbolt the u-bolt nuts, the plate will come loose and you should see the hex nut for the "pin". You must support the vehicle frame with jackstands before taking anything loose.
But again, pictures would help. This is a pic of a ranch leaf spring "Tie Bolt". It has threads and nuts...remember, to measure what you need for proper length, clamp spring pack before you remove nut (they are under pressure, be careful) and also you can request install instructions from Rancho for the lift you have....
Good Luck with it
Ed