Belltech lowering kit, rear shock mount blocked

[jbharkjr]

So I'm finalizing a belltech lowering kit (705sp) install on my 86 c10 although I've ran into a small problem...the u-bolts interferes with the lower shock mount on the rear.

I can line the bottom hole of the shock up with the mounting hole and push the bolt in from the inside although the bolt hits the u-bolt closest to the shock mount.

My speculation is that perhaps the rear end is rotated around too much and should actually be rotated a few degrees back which would then allow full access to the lower shock mount.

I guess the other option would be too add washers so the bolt doesn't hit the ubolt bit that doesn't seem like the correct way to fix this.

Thoughts?

[SkinnyG]

I had the same quirk, and I ~made~ my own flip kit.

I installed the bolt from the inside, and trimmed it (and the nut, I think), to fit. No worries.

[jbharkjr]

Would there be anything wrong with undoing the ubolt interfering with the shock mount, putting the shock bolt in from the outside and then putting the ubolt back on? This way the nut and lock washer would go on the inside and the length of the bolt wouldn't interfere with ubolt.

This leads me to my next question though....how do you ensure the rear end is not rotated arund too much in one direction or the other?

[SkinnyG]

You will hate yourself when you want to replace the shocks and you have to undo the u-bolts to do that.

The rear end should not be able to be rotated at all. Do you have a picture of this kit?

[jbharkjr]

Without taking the leaf springs off, that wouldn't work anyway now that I looked at it.

What I mean by rotating is that before the u bolts which hold the rear end to the leaf springs are tightened, the rear end can rotate forward or backward, pointing the drive shaft either more up or more down. Depending on the rotation, this would make the shock mounts more accessible. So before the rear end is tightened, how do you know the shaft has the correct angle?

[jbharkjr]

Is the number of leaf springs making the difference?

[jbharkjr]

Pictures attached

[SkinnyG]

SO, it sounds like the axle tube rests in the bottom of the gusset instead of both tabs or ears are locating the inside of the original leaf spring perch.

This doesn't sound like a tight fit, but I haven't used a purchased off-the-shelf mount, I made my own.

First, I'd suggest contacting the supplier/manufacturer and getting their feedback.

If that doesn't go anywhere useful, I would grind the inside of the gusset until both tabs/ears made contact.

Theoretically, a flip kit will maintain the original pinion angle as before. Failing that, set the pinion at about a degree or so less than the output of the transmission (google "pinion angle"). Without the perch contacting both ears, the axle may rotate and cause problems.

Though I could be wrong about it.

[bbbc10]

His axle didnt rotate...i had this on my c10 wiith belltech flip kit

[jbharkjr]

Both ears are inside the saddle piece but it can definitely rock back and forth before it is tightened down. Even after tightening, both ears do not come in contact. Granted, since it is tight, it won't rock back and forth but I do have some play before tightening it down. But both ears are inside.

Bbbc10, how did you end up doing this with your belltech kit?

Thanks guys

[Skeetman]

I had the same issue but I used shock extenders. I put the bolt for the shock mount thru the mount and extender then put the U bolts back on. You should use shock extenders.

[jbharkjr]

Sounds good. I don't mind purchasing extenders although Belltech recommended I did not use shock extenders since I got the Belltech Street Performance shocks intended for lowered vehicles.

That being said, any recommendations for as to which extenders I should buy?

THANK YOU!

[Tervill]

This happened to me as well. What I did was use a shorter bolt and a jam nut to fit between the shock mount and U bolt plate. I've since installed shock extenders but what I did worked for the time being. I used Western Chassis extenders from Summit Racing.

[jbharkjr]

Originally Posted by Tervill

This happened to me as well. What I did was use a shorter bolt and a jam nut to fit between the shock mount and U bolt plate. I've since installed shock extenders but what I did worked for the time being. I used Western Chassis extenders from Summit Racing.

Just out of curiousity...did you notice any improvement in ride quality when you added the extenders? I plan on getting some, just curious why you decided to add them after you had the shocks on and everything was working.

[bbbc10]

I didnt do anything, i just put the bolts in from the inside with the nut on the outside an i also had shock extenders with belltech drop shocks mine was lowered 5/7

[Tervill]

Originally Posted by jbharkjr

Just out of curiousity...did you notice any improvement in ride quality when you added the extenders? I plan on getting some, just curious why you decided to add them after you had the shocks on and everything was working.

Yes, definitely an improvement in ride quality. I would recommend this to anyone doing a flip kit.

[LDO]

Not to hi-jack, just wanted to be clear on what's being said as I will soon be installing a flip kit.

So instead of using drop (shorter) shocks, you used shock mount extensions so that you could run a normal (stock) length shock?

[midnight rambler]

i used the Western Chassis extenders on mine to. I put air shock on the back to fine tune the height.

[bbbc10]

I had to use both drop shocks and shock extenders

[LDO]

Originally Posted by bbbc10

I had to use both drop shocks and shock extenders

well now i'm totally confused.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by Tervill

This happened to me as well. What I did was use a shorter bolt and a jam nut to fit between the shock mount and U bolt plate.

Exactly, that is all that is needed...don't need to overthink this. Cut down or shorter bolt, nut on the inside. Pretty simple.

[lolife99]

I thought the purpose of the shock extensions was to correct the shock ANGLE.
My opinion,... but using drop shocks without the extensions, lays the shocks too flat.
Meaning they just "pivot" on the shock bolts vs compressing like they should.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I thought the purpose of the shock extensions was to correct the shock ANGLE.
My opinion,... but using drop shocks without the extensions, lays the shocks too flat.
Meaning they just "pivot" on the shock bolts vs compressing like they should.

You are correct Keith. If you look at the shock at rest on a flipped system, the shock has a greater degree of angle than would be considered optimal. Now compress the suspension and the angle increases dramatically offering minimal damping. By adding the shock extenders, you not only make room for a shock with a longer stroke, but decrease the angle effectively improving the efficiency of the shock.

[jbharkjr]

Well I went ahead and got some jam nuts so I could get her back on the road, I hate not having it available to drive. Even without the extenders, rides really great, better than it did. Granted, the shocks that were on were apparently pretty worn out.

The front fenders don't touch the tire in the same spot as the rear though. I figure it is either due to the rear leaf springs being worn -OR- the new front coils just need to settle some. Going to give it a few weeks and see where it ends up and make a decision from there.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL OF THE HELP AND INPUT!

Also, want to thank the guys over at AZ Pro Performance for supporting the forum and helping me with my purchase.

[LDO]

Truck looks great man!!