D44 ball joint angle washer

[Recon 78]

Doing ball joints on a 78 D44 I came across this under the pass side upper castle nut. Unfortunately I didn't find it til it fell to the floor so I have no idea which way the angle was facing. Any advice on how I can find out how to reassemble?

 

[Fastereddie]

I'm not recalling that being present on my axle

 

[Recon 78]

I'm not recalling that being present on my axle

i've not seen this before. thinking the truck was taken in for alignment and the shop made a castor/camber correction

 

[Fastereddie]

That's what i'm thinking. Should be a offset sleeve in there too maybe?

 

[Recon 78]

That's what i'm thinking. Should be a offset sleeve in there too maybe?

prepping/painting housing now havent taken it out yet.
how can i tell if it's a correction sleeve?

 

[K85 Octane]

Honestly, just reassemble the axle. Level the tubes using an angle finder and a jack. Then check if the wheel mounting surfaces are square with the tubes. Really the only way to check. I personally don't like these ball joint shims, collars, etc. Assemble it, check it, if it needs fixing, get the plastic ring shims that go between the knuckle and spindle. Those are the best way to do it. Shims are for Mickey Mouse.

 

[Recon 78]

Honestly, just reassemble the axle. Level the tubes using an angle finder and a jack. Then check if the wheel mounting surfaces are square with the tubes. Really the only way to check. I personally don't like these ball joint shims, collars, etc. Assemble it, check it, if it needs fixing, get the plastic ring shims that go between the knuckle and spindle. Those are the best way to do it. Shims are for Mickey Mouse.

Thanks for the tip Octane, I like the spindle correction method
seems more positive, can't shift or wear.
plus you don't have to remove axleshafts and disconnect ball joints to do it

 

[Blue85]

If there is an offset adjuster sleeve in there, you'll find that the castle nut doesn't sit flat on the knuckle without that washer. If it's aligned right, you don't need to change anything. You may find it's hard to get that adjuster out and decide to keep it. You may also have difficulty getting the ball-joint preload right which will prompt you to ditch it. If you go with the spindle shim, RockAuto carries steel AC Delco ones. IMO, it's better to get a bigger angle than you need rather than a smaller one. You can always clock it a stud or two and account for the difference in the toe adjustment.

 

[Recon 78]

If there is an offset adjuster sleeve in there, you'll find that the castle nut doesn't sit flat on the knuckle without that washer. If it's aligned right, you don't need to change anything. You may find it's hard to get that adjuster out and decide to keep it. You may also have difficulty getting the ball-joint preload right which will prompt you to ditch it. If you go with the spindle shim, RockAuto carries steel AC Delco ones. IMO, it's better to get a bigger angle than you need rather than a smaller one. You can always clock it a stud or two and account for the difference in the toe adjustment.

Good stuff Blue 85
pretty sure there is an offset sleeve in there, now that I've been looking at them online they have a mark on the offset side. when I looked at my sleeve I thought it looked weird, lol
I may just keep it if I can get proper preload, it's in good shape