89 Burb 4x4 rear axle out of alingment? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

seanu · 07-27-2005, 04:52 PM

My 89 burb looks to have the rear end shifted a little...when my wife drove it and I was driving behind her, I notice that the rear seems to be out of wack a little and causes the truck to look like it is driving at a very slight angle.

This may be why I noticed the steering seems to be a little off.

But my question is...what causes this? and how can it be corrected?

Has the axle shifted on the leaf springs?

As far as I can tell there are not adjustement points on the rear ends....

seanu · 07-28-2005, 04:41 PM

anyone?......

79Silv4x4 · 07-28-2005, 04:59 PM

The front axle is about 3 inches wider--maybe this is what you are noticing?
If not, the frame could be bent or broken leaf springs/eye bolt. . .

seanu · 07-28-2005, 06:30 PM

Well I know the frame is straight....I didn't know that the front axle is 3" wider than the rear..why is that?

I have seem trucks before that look like they had the same problem...like one side of the axle was a little off from the other side, on the leaf springs...can this happen? Or maybe the leaf spring bushings are shot or something...I know its in the mounting points..nothing on this frame is out of wack

Bob Gervais · 07-28-2005, 08:43 PM

Not sure what causes it, but my 87 does the same thing. Driving behind it, I can see that when the brakes are applied, it straightens out. When the brakes aren't on, it seems to be crooked.

My front leaves are only a couple years old, however I never had an alignment done after all the suspension/steering work. It pulls to the right too, when braking. I found loose wheel bearings (thanks Dad), and worn spindles, from the bearings being loose. I'm getting a new set of spindles from bisquik65, and I'm going to re-do the wheel bearings.

As far as adjustment of the rear axle, there is none. The leaf spring locating pins are a snug fit into the spring perch holes on the axle. From what I'm told, the front spring pins have some clearance, and are not a tight fit in the perch holes, making it so that the front axle can be aligned with the rear axle. I plan on doing this (or at least trying), using a length of rope, and going around the axle tubes with it. I'll mark both sides, and attempt to move the front axle so that it's as close as possible.

At the same time, I'm going to have to re-torque the front u-bolts, something I never did after installing them. I'm going to check the shackles as well, to make sure they're not broken or loose.

Other than some of that stuff being loose/broken, I'm guessing the frame reinforcements may be loose. They're only riveted on, maybe the rivet shanks have worn or something.

If you do find out what the problem is, please post it up. I'm sure there's more people out there with this issue.

Canadianbuilder · 07-31-2005, 09:57 AM

It could be a a broken center bolt on one of the leaf springs and the front or rear diff has shifted slightly.Or it might be possible that a previous owner had work done to or swapped the rear end and when it was reinstalled they did not get the spring center bolt into the proper hole on the spring perch.There are voids in the spring perches in front of and behind the center bolt holes and it is easy to end up with the head of the center bolt in one of these voids.
The Sub I`m building had that problem and the previous owner couldn`t figure out why it dog tracked.

07-27-2005, 04:52 PM	#1
seanu Too many projects!!! Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 508	89 Burb 4x4 rear axle out of alingment? My 89 burb looks to have the rear end shifted a little...when my wife drove it and I was driving behind her, I notice that the rear seems to be out of wack a little and causes the truck to look like it is driving at a very slight angle. This may be why I noticed the steering seems to be a little off. But my question is...what causes this? and how can it be corrected? Has the axle shifted on the leaf springs? As far as I can tell there are not adjustement points on the rear ends.... __________________ Sean 1995 Buick Roadmaster Sedan 2004 Chevy Trailblazer 5.3L V8 1963 Chevy Biscayne 4D Sedan 1971 Chevy C10 (now have 70 cab & frame) 1968 Chevy C10 (parts for the 70) 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (Chevy 355 motor) 1937 Pontiac 8 4D Touring Sedan (in pieces) Jacksonville, Florida

07-28-2005, 04:41 PM	#2
seanu Too many projects!!! Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 508	anyone?...... __________________ Sean 1995 Buick Roadmaster Sedan 2004 Chevy Trailblazer 5.3L V8 1963 Chevy Biscayne 4D Sedan 1971 Chevy C10 (now have 70 cab & frame) 1968 Chevy C10 (parts for the 70) 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (Chevy 355 motor) 1937 Pontiac 8 4D Touring Sedan (in pieces) Jacksonville, Florida

07-28-2005, 06:30 PM	#4
seanu Too many projects!!! Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 508	Well I know the frame is straight....I didn't know that the front axle is 3" wider than the rear..why is that? I have seem trucks before that look like they had the same problem...like one side of the axle was a little off from the other side, on the leaf springs...can this happen? Or maybe the leaf spring bushings are shot or something...I know its in the mounting points..nothing on this frame is out of wack __________________ Sean 1995 Buick Roadmaster Sedan 2004 Chevy Trailblazer 5.3L V8 1963 Chevy Biscayne 4D Sedan 1971 Chevy C10 (now have 70 cab & frame) 1968 Chevy C10 (parts for the 70) 1991 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser (Chevy 355 motor) 1937 Pontiac 8 4D Touring Sedan (in pieces) Jacksonville, Florida

07-28-2005, 08:43 PM	#5
Bob Gervais Truckless for the moment... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cranston, RI Posts: 180	Not sure what causes it, but my 87 does the same thing. Driving behind it, I can see that when the brakes are applied, it straightens out. When the brakes aren't on, it seems to be crooked. My front leaves are only a couple years old, however I never had an alignment done after all the suspension/steering work. It pulls to the right too, when braking. I found loose wheel bearings (thanks Dad), and worn spindles, from the bearings being loose. I'm getting a new set of spindles from bisquik65, and I'm going to re-do the wheel bearings. As far as adjustment of the rear axle, there is none. The leaf spring locating pins are a snug fit into the spring perch holes on the axle. From what I'm told, the front spring pins have some clearance, and are not a tight fit in the perch holes, making it so that the front axle can be aligned with the rear axle. I plan on doing this (or at least trying), using a length of rope, and going around the axle tubes with it. I'll mark both sides, and attempt to move the front axle so that it's as close as possible. At the same time, I'm going to have to re-torque the front u-bolts, something I never did after installing them. I'm going to check the shackles as well, to make sure they're not broken or loose. Other than some of that stuff being loose/broken, I'm guessing the frame reinforcements may be loose. They're only riveted on, maybe the rivet shanks have worn or something. If you do find out what the problem is, please post it up. I'm sure there's more people out there with this issue. __________________ 1987 V1500 GMC Suburban, 350 TBI, Flowtech dual exhaust, Rough Country 2" spring lift, 56" 3/4 ton rear spring conversion, 33" BFG All Terrains, and the smokescreen engine mod -- Former truck, searching for another now...

07-28-2005, 04:59 PM	#3
79Silv4x4 Workaholic Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 1,589	The front axle is about 3 inches wider--maybe this is what you are noticing? If not, the frame could be bent or broken leaf springs/eye bolt. . .

07-31-2005, 09:57 AM	#6
Canadianbuilder Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 10	It could be a a broken center bolt on one of the leaf springs and the front or rear diff has shifted slightly.Or it might be possible that a previous owner had work done to or swapped the rear end and when it was reinstalled they did not get the spring center bolt into the proper hole on the spring perch.There are voids in the spring perches in front of and behind the center bolt holes and it is easy to end up with the head of the center bolt in one of these voids. The Sub I`m building had that problem and the previous owner couldn`t figure out why it dog tracked.



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