Axle issue - leaf spring center pin???

[crazedyak]

I installed 33's several days ago and finally got it out onto the road for a test drive. First turn I get rubbing in the passenger side fender well. It was late so I returned home and said I'd look at it later. So I finally get time to look at it today and I honestly was scratching my head for a few minutes trying to figure out why the driver side was great with no rubbing and the passenger side rear lower fender well was rubbing so bad. Then I realized that the passenger side rear fender was quite a bit closer than the driver side.

So I measure a few things to make sure I am not crazy... Leaf Spring eye to center of u-bolt plate is the exact same on both springs, but the tire on the passenger side is a full inch rear in the wheel well difference from the drivers side.

I searched on here, and saw an older '07 thread where someone else was having a similar issue, but no final solution was listed. Several people stated they thought the leaf spring center pin had sheared off and had caused the leaf pack to shift pushing the axle rearward.

Right now I cannot see the center pin on the passenger side at all to tell if it did shear off, and have no real other ideas. Basically I am begging for some ideas here.

Specs... Until a few days ago completely stock 87 K5 with 31/10.5R15s and old shocks. Now it has 285/75R16s and new Rancho RS5000 shocks and new steering stabilizer. It has a stock 10 Bolt and I have done nothing else to the steering or suspension.

Questions... please ask.

 

[jt512]

Need pics, the center pin is a possibility, but the u bolt plate would move as well so the measurements from the spring eye to plate should be different if the axle shifted from a sheared pin.

I'm reaching with this one, but I have seen it. Is it possible the bushings in the rear of the spring or in the upper shackle hanger are so shot as to allow that side to be essentially further back. I have also had one K5 have the rear spring bushing bolt rust out allowing the spring to rest on the bottom of the frame rail.

Again, need pics

 

[sweetk30]

got to drop ubolts .

then jack up frame to take weight off axle.

let drop off spring few inch and look it over.

good 3/8" bolt grd 5 or better with head rounded off will make new better pin .

then new ubolts and bolt back together.

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and as said def check all spring bushings and hardware. seen lots of whipped upper shackle bushings and bolts.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Support the truck by the frame before you take the u-bolts loose, it's extremely likely that your center pin broke. A stronger (grade 8) one helps a tiny bit but it really is a tiny bolt and it's purpose is to clamp the spring pack together and locate the axle, definitely not a load bearing piece. The u-bolts are a maintenance item and need to be checked from time to time, especially when they're new, when they get loose the center pin breaks and you get what you have.

 

[crazedyak]

Thanks all for the responses. Just got off the phone with Chris at ORD and u-bolts and center pins are on the way.

Now to find a new u-bolt plate ... anyone got one laying around for a stock 10 bolt they may want to give to the needy

Thanks again,
Sloan

 

[jt512]

Thanks all for the responses. Just got off the phone with Chris at ORD and u-bolts and center pins are on the way.

Now to find a new u-bolt plate ... anyone got one laying around for a stock 10 bolt they may want to give to the needy

Thanks again,
Sloan

What side u bolt plate do you need? I am pretty sure I have a set of stockers at my shop, but I won't be back down there till Monday. If I do you are more then welcome to have it, I think my parents are even going to be going through VA beach end of next week (my sister lives there)

 

[crazedyak]

What side u bolt plate do you need? I am pretty sure I have a set of stockers at my shop, but I won't be back down there till Monday. If I do you are more then welcome to have it, I think my parents are even going to be going through VA beach end of next week (my sister lives there)

The passenger side, or both if you want to make some space on your shelf. Thanks. I can meet your parents easily enough or paypal you some cash for shipping if you wanna go that route. I live near and work at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek here in Va Beach so I'm centralized and no area is really far.

Thanks so much!

 

[jt512]

I'll let you know for sure on Monday, let me put my hands on them to be sure, and I will find out when exactly my parents are going to my sisters. She lives just off of shore drive.

 

[crazedyak]

She lives just off of shore drive.

me too right near Chick's Beach... easy day. I appreciate it.