Axle Shims

[shima]

Hi ORD!

I am thinking that my '89 K5 might need some axle shims from you guys...

I just got an alignment done, here is the report:

http://i.imgur.com/8YIkONq.jpg

Before I actually got the alignment done, another CK5 member suggested I might need 2 degree shims to help out with my caster. From reading the report and trying to study up on the primary alignment angles, I am guessing that I would need to install them so that they push the front axle toward the front of the truck on both sides? Does that sound right?

Thanks for any and all input!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

7 Degrees of caster is good.

Are you trying to fix a problem?

 

[shima]

Hey Chris, thanks for the response. I'm not the most knowledgeable, so hopefully I don't butcher this. The alignment tech said he couldn't do much for the caster and that I should look into getting shims. When looking through the report, it looks like my caster isn't quite high enough to meet the minimum specs (7.5 degrees positive). So, I jumped to the conclusion that I need more positive caster and a possible solution would be to get your 2 degree shims and then have another alignment done thereafter.

If you don't think I'm on the right track, don't hesitate to let me know. Regarding how the truck actually drives, my only complaint would be that it floats / pulls slightly to the right when I'm cruising in a straight line.

Thanks again, I appreciate your time and patience with me!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

2 Degrees more caster wouldn't hurt anything, though technically you'd be over spec (too much caster usually isn't a bad thing). If you decide to try the 2 degree shims, you don't really need to have it aligned again. It will just add 2 degrees to the numbers you have now.

 

[shima]

2 Degrees more caster wouldn't hurt anything, though technically you'd be over spec (too much caster usually isn't a bad thing). If you decide to try the 2 degree shims, you don't really need to have it aligned again. It will just add 2 degrees to the numbers you have now.

Thank you sir, that is good to hear! This last question may not really be ORD-specific, but I'm wondering whether I can do anything at all to make the caster on the left match the caster on the right. The alignment tech said he couldn't adjust it, so perhaps I'm stuck...

Anyhow, thanks again for the responses!

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

You'd have to cut the c's off of the end of the axle, turn them where you want them, and weld the axle back together.

I wouldn't sweat it, axles are always off like that side to side. Manufacturing tolerances.

 

[K85 Octane]

is that .25* of toe IN? Should be toe in.

 

[obijuank5]

That is toe in. It would say -.25* or something to that extent.

And I don't think you need any alignment adjustment off that printout.

 

[Justin V]

Hey drew have you driven this much since the toe adjust?

 

[shima]

Hey drew have you driven this much since the toe adjust?

Hey brother, not a ton. Cruised it probably 3 or 4 times, but they weren't long trips. It does feel a bit better, I'll say that!

Definitely pulls a little to the right, but if that's not a big deal then I am still happy.

 

[Justin V]

Double check tire pressure on the pull. A low tire can cause that.

Improperly adjusted toe can cause the wandering feeling.

 

[shima]

Double check tire pressure on the pull. A low tire can cause that.

Improperly adjusted toe can cause the wandering feeling.

Will do. That's definitely something I didn't consider. I'll check it tonight.

 

[Justin V]

Will do. That's definitely something I didn't consider. I'll check it tonight.

Didn't get to finish my thought. Now that your toe is properly set, and you have double checked the tire pressures, drive it down several types of road surfaces. Rutted asphalt, and grooved concrete can make cars feel loose. Try and find some new pavement and see how it feels.


What I am getting at here, is likely that you don't nerd shims. Probably just need to spend more time behind the wheel and get used to it. Your other ride is an entirely different beast than this Blazer, and they share nothing between them design wise. What you are used to is a much better handling vehicle than this...

 

[shima]

Didn't get to finish my thought. Now that your toe is properly set, and you have double checked the tire pressures, drive it down several types of road surfaces. Rutted asphalt, and grooved concrete can make cars feel loose. Try and find some new pavement and see how it feels.


What I am getting at here, is likely that you don't nerd shims. Probably just need to spend more time behind the wheel and get used to it. Your other ride is an entirely different beast than this Blazer, and they share nothing between them design wise. What you are used to is a much better handling vehicle than this...

Man oh man, the truck feels so much better now...

My front two tires were at 38 and 36 PSI, and the back two were at 36 and 34 PSI. I set the front two to 32 PSI and the back two to 28 PSI. Not only does the truck not pull as much (if at all), the ride quality is so much better. It's not as rough as it was before.

Thanks to everyone who responded here, I appreciate you guys a ton.