Spring perches not level on new 2" lift, '71 Blazer

[Joe Blaze]

On my '71 Blazer, I just had my stock worn out front and rear springs replaced by a Tuff Country 2 inch lift kit from Suspension Connection. It seems like my rear axle spring perches are not level/horizontal now. I never looked closely at them before, so i cant be 100% sure if they are much different. The directions with the new springs say that the locating pin on the top is not exactly in the center of the spring between the shackles, and that the longer side on each one should go towards the rear.
Should the spring perches be perfectly horizontal, or is it OK that they are at a slight angle now?

 

[K85 Octane]

looks like your driver's side tube has rotated in the housing
the housing on that side is pretty oily
then again, it's really hard to see anything wrong my those pics, I can't tell anyway

 

[Joe Blaze]

Man, i never thought of that. I just went out and snapped a couple of photos, does it look like it could have rotated? i can't tell.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Tough to say from the pictures but it does look like a tube may have spun. If you have an angle finder (if you don't, they're cheap and you need one) check the angle of each perch.

 

[JDNobodi]

Are you saying the pads aren't parallel to each other or to the ground.
If the pads aren't parallel to each other, then one axle tube have rotated in the housing. It is time for a new housing if that happened.

If the pads are parallel to each other, but the pads aren't parallel the ground, then that is actually normal. The rear spring goes up at an angle to the rear. Pinion angle is more important than spring pad angle.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

It's not uncommon for axle tubes to leak there, even if the tube hasn't spun. Sometimes lift springs can cause what you're seeing but an angle finder will tell for sure.

 

[K85 Octane]

and to add to Chris's post
my dads '06 gmc 3500 leaks from the driver's side tube

 

[Joe Blaze]

could i measure the perch angles with the leaf springs attached and truck sitting on the ground?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

could i measure the perch angles with the leaf springs attached and truck sitting on the ground?

Yes, if things are wrong they'll be off by enough that you'll know it without taking things apart. It's always a little tough to tell details like that from pictures.

 

[blaznjon]

Measure the angle see if there close to the same.i can`t see very well in the picture is there a tapered shim under the leaf pack? it looks more like your pinion seal seeps and gear oil is thrown back by the wind driveing down the road.think of it this way lets say you have a valve cover leak and look at it from the under side ,it`s going to look like the pan and possably the rear main are leaking.start at the source.

 

[Russell]

The new lift springs will change the angle of the perches a bit just by nature. As long as your pinion angle is still ok, then you'll be good to go. If the pinion is aimed too far down now, you may need to buy some wedge shims to install at the bottom of the leaf packs to aim the pinion back up again. When you set up the rear pinion angle, it should be set so that the angle on the u-joint at the pinion is slightly low as compared to the one on the top. When you apply throttle, the pinion will rise slightly and make the angles on the two u-joints match. Makes u-joints last longer and eliminates any driveline vibes or noises.

 

[sweetk30]

somthin major i see is WAY TO MUCH antiseze all over the place on the ubolts.

you dont want that on them. you dont want the nuts to have any chance of getting loose. a little rust in those threads is act good. its like locktight.

and as said lift springs change the angles.

also your possibly seeing a optical illusion as the pass side lower ubolt plate is not centered up/down front to back. then the left side is backwards of the other. this will make you thing there twisted/off angle/spun tube when looking at them. notice longer threads on front than back on right and longer rear than front on left side. not a major deal but just noticed it.

 

[K85 Octane]

@ sweetk30

 

[chulisohombre]

it looks like the perches are the same angle to me.you could measure from the ground to the perch at the same place and if anything get a base geight to see if the are the same hieght form the ground at least.if the tube spun it wouls be fresh oil and you would see a clean spot around the tubes more than likely.does the axle sit in the center of the wheel well?if not they may have put the springs in backwards.mine were 2 inch off in length on one side of my springs from pro comp.that helps recenter the axle with the new arch.it looks like there needs about a 4 degree shim put in to raise the pinion back up.from the pic it looks like the pinion isnt at a great angle.do you have a vibes from the driveshaft?

 

[Joe Blaze]

One thing I noticed, the centering bolt on the new springs is not in the middle of the springs. See this note from the Tuff Country install instructions: Special Note: The new rear springs have an off set centering bolt, the longer end of the spring needs to be installed towards the rear of the vehicle. Here are some more photos of what's going on there. How does my driveline angle look?

While i was there, here are a few of the front driveline, how does it look?

 

[K85 Octane]

you have to check the driveline angles yourself
you need an angle finder and check the appropriate places
other than that, the fence in the background looks wicked funny. Looks like it really far away and falling down, but really it's only 5" tall.

The front angles you can't do anything about, who cares really, you wont be going fast enough in 4x4. Just get the front pinion angle (which affects knuckle caster and driveability) set correctly.

 

[chulisohombre]

From those pics,it looks like it should be fine.pinion slightly up.front looks alright as well.if it doesnt vibrate under all speeds,id run it as is.

 

[Joe Blaze]

somthin major i see is WAY TO MUCH antiseze all over the place on the ubolts.

you dont want that on them. you dont want the nuts to have any chance of getting loose. a little rust in those threads is act good. its like locktight.

...

Yeah, that is the first thing i noticed when i picked it up from the shop. I just bought a cheapo torque wrench from China Freight, $9.99 with coupon, and after removing and cleaning the u-bolts, i torqued them down to the specified 130 ft. lbs. and so far, so good.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-239.html

 

[Bent77]

Pinion angles look ok in the pics. just keep pluckin away you're making progress