1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Leaf Springs Center Pin Replacement

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by tripilio, Apr 7, 2020.

  1. Apr 8, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    The castor shims are wedge shaped with the thick end forward - it does cause the front pinon to angle downward, but that is a small trade-off for tilting the steering axis back. Plus, on the front axle, you typically aren't in 4wd nearly as much as 2wd - especially when at highway speeds. The change is quality of steering with the shims was so significant, that I will be doing the same on the wagon asap...So, yes, check your current caster - both of mine had about zero when I got them.
     
    tripilio likes this.
  2. Apr 8, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    you can use that with the shims as well...its not the flip kit is a problem...just that you probably will have two issues to deal with/improve: caster angle and tre clearance. the shims might take care of both quite easily, or you you can run both shims and flip kit.
     
    tripilio likes this.
  3. Apr 8, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    In theory yes but I have installed them with no driveshaft issues. If you have a lot of lift it might be a problem ( mines 2 1/2")
     
    tripilio likes this.
  4. Apr 9, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    I have no lift at all. Or at least, as much lift as it comes from the factory. Regular shackles, shock absorbers, etc. I will try today if work allows me to modify my spacers and give them a 4-7 degree taper. I think those are the numbers I have seen here as "normal". I will check my camber and adjust my shims accordingly. In the near future I will also, depending on how the geometry of the tie rods look, do the tie rod flip as well.
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  5. Apr 9, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    Do you mean 2 1/2 degrees? I have heard here 4 to 7. Now reading it again I understand 2 1/2 is your lift! I am not as smart as you think! :confused:
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2020
  6. Apr 9, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    caster - not camber....If you think of x-y-z 3-D coordinate system, rotating any two axis around the 3rd is making an adjustment to your alignment...caster and camber are different adjustments...and toe-in would be the 3rd....this would be easier with a picture...
     
    tripilio likes this.
  7. Apr 9, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    “Caster wheels” are called that for a reason... they self-center because the axle is located behind the steering pivot.

    [​IMG]
     
    tripilio, Glenn and FinoCJ like this.
  8. Apr 9, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    Maybe this is another dumb question, but I would like to know the size of the bolts before I disassemble the leaf springs. Is it a 5/16 body diameter with a 3/8 head? I finished my shims. I set them at 5 degrees. I stated before that the plates were 1/4 when in reality are 3/8. I made them about the size of the perch footprint, 1.75 x 4.00. As you can see, I made some inserts and welded them in place. Their IDs are undersized so I can drill to the diameter of the body of the screw. That is the reason of my question.
    20200409_094654_copy_774x1032[1].jpg 20200409_095403_copy_774x1032[1].jpg 20200409_125229_copy_1032x774[1].jpg
     
    Fireball and FinoCJ like this.
  9. Apr 9, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Looking at my records (had to send Mike this info when he made them for me), the thru bolt for my BDS spring pack had 3/8" thread diameter...might depend on what brand springs you have?
     
    tripilio likes this.
  10. Apr 9, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    Maybe I did not need the inserts after all?:cry:
     
  11. Apr 9, 2020
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2007
    Messages:
    1,103
    The OEM spring pack uses a 5/16" diameter bolt. Mike's caster wedges are drilled for a 3/8" bolt. At least, the bolts and wedges that I have are which I just measured.
     
    tripilio likes this.
  12. Apr 10, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    My bolts happened to be 5/16 diameter and 1/2 diameter head, with different heights however.
    20200410_083518_copy_1032x774[1].jpg
     
  13. Apr 10, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
  14. Apr 10, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    After drilling (again) the shims to accommodate the new bolts and not wanting to wait a few days for shipping... Ta da!
    20200410_080752_copy_1032x774[1].jpg 20200410_080748_copy_774x1032[1].jpg
     
  15. Apr 10, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    I will give them a try as soon as I get home today!
     
  16. Apr 10, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Messages:
    1,725
    Wow Trip, those look great. Must be nice to have machines to do that. I took the spacers off my 2020 pick up yesterday, they have two dowel pins now. I am only 5' 6.5", was 5' 8", I like to lower my truck so I can see in the box. The new trucks are so high I can just get my nose over the tailgate. I take the 1 1/4" spacer out of the axel and the rear bumper goes down by about 2 1/2". Good Luck
     
    tripilio likes this.
  17. Apr 10, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    I have a size-appropriate Tacoma, since I'm 5.7 myself!:D
     
    FinoCJ and Glenn like this.
  18. Apr 10, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    I could not wait to give it a try...
    I have plenty of clearance now. How does the geomety look? I am still considering the tie rod flip, but this one was quick and dirty and hate waiting for shipping...
    20200410_163242_copy_774x1032.jpg 20200410_163249_copy_774x1032.jpg 20200410_163303_copy_774x1032.jpg 20200410_164051_copy_1032x774.jpg
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  19. Apr 10, 2020
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    After reading the general consensus against reusing the u bolts and seeing how badly pitted mine are I ordered a set from Morris 4x4. Waaay better price than KW. The driveshaft is next and other than the brakes, which is a whole different animal I think I'm done with the fron axle. Ufff!
     
  20. Apr 10, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    tripilio likes this.
New Posts