A couple of suspension questions

[Jonboy]

I have a couple of suspensions about my 79 SWB. IS it possible to put the front upper control arms on backwards? The front end of my truck was rebuilt, but it drives really squirrely. It's really hard to keep on the road, and there is no real return to center, like the upper ball joints are too far forward. I am planning on replacing the spindles anyhow, but was just curious.

The second question is how many rear leafs can I take out without killing all payload capacity? There are 8 now, and it rides like a buckboard wagon. That, and it sits waaaay to high in the back. Any ideas?

[glock35ipsc]

Very possible, they are separate part numbers. That could throw caster way out of whack, and the caster angle affects steering.

EDIT - Looking at some pics of my 68, the rubber bumper should be on the back side of the control arm.

[Jonboy]

That's interesting. The truck doesn't turn very well at all either. I bet that is my problem.

[glock35ipsc]

I would almost put money on it then with it being hard to turn, that (among possibly other things) says the caster is way off. Think bent shopping cart wheel.

That, or they left an entire pack of shims out one one of the studs.

[Jonboy]

There is a ton of shims on all 4. A friend of mine put a radio in it, and he is the one that made me think about it. I am getting used to the quirks, but I really just want it right. The steering box seems to be colse to centered, but I have to make a 3 point turn to get a shortbed regular cab truck into a parking space. Something is up, for sure.

[glock35ipsc]

Since you didn't actually say it, I gotta ask..... was a proper alignment done? And did you get a chance to look at the control arms yet?

[chrismoore701]

Here are some picks of my '79 for you to compair. there was a special on this weekend on I think gears about death wobble, I will have to check it out to see what the results were from. I think the angle of your spindles would make a big difference. good luck

[Jonboy]

It was rebuilt before I got it. You have to pay attenitoin and actually drive it, but it isn't something that will kill the tires (I don't think). I didn't drive it today since we are expecting rain, but I will look tonight when I get home. I drove it the last couple of days, it's been doing pretty well.

[chrismoore701]

here are some more pics

the first pic is the passenger side and the 2nd is the drivers side, a little more detail. Pay attention to the depress area on top of the control arm. that is how I new which side was what

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

It was rebuilt before I got it. You have to pay attenitoin and actually drive it, but it isn't something that will kill the tires (I don't think). I didn't drive it today since we are expecting rain, but I will look tonight when I get home. I drove it the last couple of days, it's been doing pretty well.

It sounds like a caster problem to me, which affects steering but is not a tire wearing angle like camber. Camber can also affect steering, but it will result in a pull more so than quirkyness.

Think of what the handling differences would be between a chopper, a crotch rocket, and a crotch rocket that's hit a wall. That's caster.

[Jonboy]

When I worked at the Toyota dealership, the alignment would explain it so I could remember, as I tend to get caster and camber mixed up. Caster is like a harley, with the wheel pulled back. Camber is like an old VW in the air, with the wheels pulled in. So if I had a car that the Volkswagen was all screwed up, it was usually a bent strut or control arm. A Harley problem might be a knuckle.

I think the Harley in my truck is out of whack.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

I think the Harley in my truck is out of whack.

Oh, that's quote material right there!!!!

[Jonboy]

I found one of the problems. The lower control arms are indeed on backwards. Does anyone have any pics of their steering linkage?

Also, any ideas for my rear springs?


Edit: I looked at a few more pictures. The lower control arms can only go one way, so they are correct. If not, the shocks would not mount up. Maybe it is as simple as a spectacularly bad alignment. I want to replace the spindles anyhow, so that will likely be the time to mess with it.

[glock35ipsc]

The lowers???? How the heck are the shocks installed then, or are there any? There would be no way to install the lower part since the bracket would be on the front on the control arm if they were swapped.

No pics right now, they are all at work. I can't say for sure on the springs, but I imagine removing any would effect it to some extent.

[Jonboy]

Thanks to the power of the internet, I have a tendency to overthink things I can't do anything about right this minute. It sucks sometimes, but I seem to come up with all kinds of interesting things.

[James McClure]

Chris, I can see from the photos of the arms that the caster is WAY negative. The bar attaching the arm to the frame should be nearly parallel to the frame, give or take. Do the work you want to do then take the truck to a CHEVY store and get it aligned properly. jim

[menace121978]

Jon, the easiest way to tell for sure on your upper a arms is the brake hose. the hose has a bracket that bolts to the front of the a arm.

and of course as said, the lower has the shock mount.

[Jonboy]

I think my arms are right. Do the tie rods go on the front or rear of the center link?

[glock35ipsc]

Rear.

[menace121978]

dont know what you mean... maybe this will help

[Jonboy]

Bob, are Dennis's on backwards then? I think this is how mine are. Will this cause a really huge turning radius (not wanting to turn)?

[menace121978]

i dont see how that can be... i remember trying them on the front and nothing lined up right.

[glock35ipsc]

Hmmm, Dennis's are on the front, and in the pic of my 68 above they are on the rear. LOL, I'll have to look at my truck tonight to see for sure.

[menace121978]

maybe my center link is backwards and upside down!!!!!

[glock35ipsc]

I found this pic of Fred, they are on the rear/back side.