Silly Front Spring Centering Pin Question

[merc359]

Hi, I have a 1978 shortbox chevy 4x4 1/2 ton and I am in the process of swapping in a D60 into the front, and the BDS lift kit I bought has shims for the front axle to help with driveline angles. However, when I try and put the shim in place, the hole in the BDS-made shim is too small for the centering pin on the BDS-made shock. Kind of silly, really, given that I THINK the hole is a standard size as the hole on the D44 I took out, and the hole on the D60 I am putting in are the same size.

So here is the question: what size IS the centering pin? Is it a standard size or something goofy? My intention is to simply drill it out, but I HATE play in the system and don't want a big sloppy hole - not that it'll matter - but there it is.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Merc359

 

[tRustyK5]

Common center pin size for GM springs and aftermarket springs for GM is 3/8" diameter, with the head of the center bolt being 9/16" in diameter. Ford springs use the 7/16" center bolts with a 5/8" head...at least the F-150 springs I had did.

Chuck some calipers on the head of the center bolts in your springs and drill the shim and or perch to match.

Then call me beotch... (I'm on holiday this week)

Rene

 

[gmc4cw]

you would be better off bolting the shim to the pack. if you simply insert it between the spring pack and the housing the head of the center pin will not engage the housing at all. clamp the springs with some good C-clamps and remove the center pin. slide it or a longer one through the shim and the pack.