ChevyMan0784
Lift & Lockers
Posts:699
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| 08/27/2005 8:03 PM |
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| When to clock your axle? Some say after 4 inches definatley, what do you think??? Some one just told me you don't have to clock an axle under a 6 inch leaf lift on an 84 blazer k5. I told him he was bogus, but am I right? I think so. That is one hell of an angle to be wheelin' with. |
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gimmie fuel gimmie fire gimmie that which I desire-James Hetfield
*Never give an Irish man good cause for revenge.
*Guns dont kill people, but they sure help!!
*98% OF AMERICANS SAY 'OH S**t' BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A ICEY ROAD.
THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM ALASKA, AND THEY SAY, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 08/27/2005 9:08 PM |
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Clocking your axle isn't neccessarily determined by how much lift, it's determined by how much the angle of your driveshaft changes when it is lifted. A shorter vehicle's driveshaft angle will change more dramatically than a longer vehicle's driveshaft. It's all about the angle - there really aren't any general rules of thumb, because there are so many factors to weigh.
Here's a good article we did on this a little while back:
http://66.206.24.93/tech/axle-clocking.asp
Hope that helps.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
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'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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ChevyMan0784
Lift & Lockers
Posts:699
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| 08/27/2005 11:24 PM |
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| Well, the Blazer in question was lifted 6in. Thus creating the need for new drive shafts. So that should give you a pretty good idea how intense the angle of the drive shaft is. To me it is extreme. The dif yoke is pointing straight forward, and looks as though the u-joint should bind up and spew its inards on yhe ground. I read somewhere that n a single length drive shaft the difference between the dif yoke and the t-case/tranny should be -1 to -2 max. To the best of your knowledge, is this true?? |
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gimmie fuel gimmie fire gimmie that which I desire-James Hetfield
*Never give an Irish man good cause for revenge.
*Guns dont kill people, but they sure help!!
*98% OF AMERICANS SAY 'OH S**t' BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A ICEY ROAD.
THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM ALASKA, AND THEY SAY, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS |
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ChevyMan0784
Lift & Lockers
Posts:699
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| 08/27/2005 11:29 PM |
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| That article helped alot. It stated what I was thinking...very similar to another article I read. Thank you very much, now I have a better understanding. Where can I get one of those nifty magnetic angle finders?? Just about anywhere, or somewhere specific? |
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gimmie fuel gimmie fire gimmie that which I desire-James Hetfield
*Never give an Irish man good cause for revenge.
*Guns dont kill people, but they sure help!!
*98% OF AMERICANS SAY 'OH S**t' BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A ICEY ROAD.
THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM ALASKA, AND THEY SAY, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 09/01/2005 3:32 PM |
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Sorry for the delay in replying.. (and thanks for the compliments on the article).
You can grab those magnetic angle finders at Sears, ACE Hardware, Lowes or just about any hardware or home improvement center. I think they're less than $15 or so. Pretty cheap, but very effective tool to have around.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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primetimek5
Lift & Lockers
Posts:537
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| 09/18/2005 8:04 PM |
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| i had a same year blazer w/ a 8 inch bds. the axle does not need to be cut &
turned.
you need a 4 to 5 degree shim, on your rear leaf pack.
go to your local 4wp or off road shop to buy some. try to stay away from
aluminum (sp) shims. (they will crack & wear)
for good shims you will pay $15 to $25 |
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rick p. |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 09/19/2005 2:59 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by primetimek5
i had a same year blazer w/ a 8 inch bds. the axle does not need to be cut &
turned.
you need a 4 to 5 degree shim, on your rear leaf pack.
go to your local 4wp or off road shop to buy some. try to stay away from
aluminum (sp) shims. (they will crack & wear)
for good shims you will pay $15 to $25
Myself I have had no trouble are all with aluminum shims. I have found though that they tend to seat a little bit so to may need to re-snug the ubolts a time or to before the fully seat. |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 09/19/2005 7:57 AM |
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I've had three of the cast aluminum shims snap in half while off-roading, even when the U-bolts properly torqued (and not over tightened). When it happens on the front axle, it makes for a most interesting drive. [zomb]
Also - something to consider... when using aluminum shims sandwiched (quite tightly I might add) between two pieces of steel, you'll end up with a corrosion process that's much faster than standard rusting.
After the third one broke, I started having steel shims made for me. They're more expensive obviously.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 09/19/2005 10:53 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by webby4x4
I've had three of the cast aluminum shims snap in half while off-roading, even when the U-bolts properly torqued (and not over tightened). When it happens on the front axle, it makes for a most interesting drive. [zomb]
Also - something to consider... when using aluminum shims sandwiched (quite tightly I might add) between two pieces of steel, you'll end up with a corrosion process that's much faster than standard rusting.
After the third one broke, I started having steel shims made for me. They're more expensive obviously.
Rick
Usually if you are breaking shims it is because your spring pack is to light for the tire size you have and you are getting excessive spring wrapup that is distorting the shim contact area. They also make brass shims which unlike steel do not rust. ALso I have had no corrosion problems with my shims (I have a set in my burb that has been in there 15 years now up front and some in my J20 that have been in there longer still) |
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webby4x4
Forum Admin, Magazine Editor
Rock Star
Posts:2375
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| 09/19/2005 1:06 PM |
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quote:
your spring pack is to light for the tire size you have and you are getting excessive spring wrapup that is distorting the shim contact area
Maybe, but at the time I was running 33" tires, my stock FJ 6-cyl motor (with almost 200,000 miles on it) and pretty stiff springs. Then again, it could have also been an imprefect mounting surface and maybe the spring purch was not perfectly level.
Anyhow, I've heard of other people breaking them too, so in the end, I would do brass, steel or billet aluminum, but not cast aluminum. At least, that's MHO.
Rick |
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Rick Webster
Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'74 FJ40 Land Cruiser
"Measure once, cut twice" |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 09/19/2005 2:59 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by webby4x4
quote:
your spring pack is to light for the tire size you have and you are getting excessive spring wrapup that is distorting the shim contact area
Maybe, but at the time I was running 33" tires, my stock FJ 6-cyl motor (with almost 200,000 miles on it) and pretty stiff springs. Then again, it could have also been an imprefect mounting surface and maybe the spring purch was not perfectly level.
Anyhow, I've heard of other people breaking them too, so in the end, I would do brass, steel or billet aluminum, but not cast aluminum. At least, that's MHO.
Rick
If you ever watched it you would be amazed how much a axle can wrap up in the springs with big tires. This is why a 4 link is such a hot setup because you can have a softer suspension rate and longer travel and still have good axle torque control. If you put down say 2000 lb of tractive effort on a axle, at the pad near the centerline of axle the twisting force can be well in excess of 15 to 20,000lbs of twisting force in contact area with springs (split between both sides) vs with a 4 link because of the fulcrum advantage for distance from axle centerline to link connection, the force may only be 5000lbs or so split two ways and easier to manage. |
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primetimek5
Lift & Lockers
Posts:537
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| 09/19/2005 6:16 PM |
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| on my 80 blazer w/ the 52 front & 56 rear spring packs, i wore the thinner
part of the shim before they cracked due to monster flex & lots of torque.
yes, before any run i always nut & bolt my trail only rig.
(hey, snoman, are you w/ steep n deep offroad in idaho?)[:D] |
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rick p. |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 09/19/2005 6:48 PM |
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quote:
[i]
(hey, snoman, are you w/ steep n deep offroad in idaho?)[:D]
No I am not but I did live in SW Montana once and used to travel to South Eastern and East Central Idaho a lot summer and winter. There is some pretty ground out there and some prime hunting too especailly in the east central parts I traveled in the high plains and woodlands and marshes. I used to travel a road (Route 20) that every febuary and march they would run a D9 with a 15 foot high snow fenced Vee Plow through the high plains next to road for miles to create drift stops for the blowing snow in late winter/early spring everyday during that time frame. It was something to see. Used to shop in Idaho fall a lot, usually about once every two weeks year round. There was that approx 3000 foot climb just north of Ashton that I traveled more than a I can count and it could be the dead of winter on top and warmer and snow free below Ashton. It was quite a terrain and climate changed. I can remeber coming thru there some times when it was 30 below or better on the high ground. |
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primetimek5
Lift & Lockers
Posts:537
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| 09/19/2005 7:26 PM |
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| ok, since i have your life story now. can i have your social security #
now. just kidding.
i thought you were w/ steep n deep off road in idaho.
im w/ steep n deep in san antonio tx. |
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rick p. |
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ChevyMan0784
Lift & Lockers
Posts:699
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| 09/20/2005 12:38 AM |
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| Thanks all for the great info, I now move on in my K5 project with confidence. You know how it is when you hear about about a million (just a tad over exaggerated) different opinions. I really appreciate the advise. I try doing it all myself, but no one can ever know everything. |
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gimmie fuel gimmie fire gimmie that which I desire-James Hetfield
*Never give an Irish man good cause for revenge.
*Guns dont kill people, but they sure help!!
*98% OF AMERICANS SAY 'OH S**t' BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A ICEY ROAD.
THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM ALASKA, AND THEY SAY, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 09/20/2005 7:11 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by primetimek5
ok, since i have your life story now. can i have your social security #
now. just kidding.
i thought you were w/ steep n deep off road in idaho.
im w/ steep n deep in san antonio tx.
I will not bore you with my life story, that was only a very small snipet from it. Someday I would like to move back out there. Maybe Colorado. |
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primetimek5
Lift & Lockers
Posts:537
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| 09/20/2005 3:39 PM |
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snoman, when you do let me know i will join you for some cold beer & good
people.
the only time i was in colorado was when my friend went to CU & i vistied him.
i partied alot their & at the indian reservation close by their drinking
the fire water & smoking the piote (sp?) |
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rick p. |
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primetimek5
Lift & Lockers
Posts:537
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| 09/20/2005 3:40 PM |
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| man, i miss my younger years |
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rick p. |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 09/21/2005 3:34 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by primetimek5
man, i miss my younger years
Sometime I do too.... I do love the mountains too and miss them a lot too sometimes. |
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ChevyMan0784
Lift & Lockers
Posts:699
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| 09/21/2005 10:37 AM |
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| I live in Alaska, so I guess I am lucky...Got to love that snow and rain!!! Lots of night life in Anchorage. And lots of wheelin. Ever drivin on top of a glacier?? |
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gimmie fuel gimmie fire gimmie that which I desire-James Hetfield
*Never give an Irish man good cause for revenge.
*Guns dont kill people, but they sure help!!
*98% OF AMERICANS SAY 'OH S**t' BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A ICEY ROAD.
THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM ALASKA, AND THEY SAY, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS |
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SnoMan
Lift & Lockers
Posts:943
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| 09/21/2005 12:30 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ChevyMan0784
I live in Alaska, so I guess I am lucky...Got to love that snow and rain!!! Lots of night life in Anchorage. And lots of wheelin. Ever drivin on top of a glacier??
Never have but I have seen 50 below and 20 plus feet of winter snowfall. Some of the road were covereded with snow packed into ice all winter and up to 12 inches thick by spring and then when the spring thaw would start they would get big chuck holes in the snow/ice that were nasty until they used road graders to clear the roads of the melting mess. |
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Visit the SnoMan at
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ChevyMan0784
Lift & Lockers
Posts:699
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| 09/21/2005 9:05 PM |
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| I know what ya mean! That is the sh * ts when it gets like that. But a lift and good tires mixed with four wheel drive makes for an excellent adventure on the way to work!! |
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gimmie fuel gimmie fire gimmie that which I desire-James Hetfield
*Never give an Irish man good cause for revenge.
*Guns dont kill people, but they sure help!!
*98% OF AMERICANS SAY 'OH S**t' BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A ICEY ROAD.
THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM ALASKA, AND THEY SAY, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS |
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