how far can you shim a front axle?

[91 k1500]

I am having issues installing my front drive shaft in my truck right now. I was wondering how many degrees I can rotate the front axle with shims before the caster gets to fare out of whack and I wont be able to drive it on the street. I only drive it to and from bogs and the occasional trip to dairy queen. But I would like it to stay on the road at least!
Or would I be better to cut the C's and rotate them on the axle? How much caster do ya want if and when ya do this?
What do ya do with the studs and u-bolt plates if ya roll the axle?? pics would help!

[Ranger Dave]

ive  been  told  10 digrees  on the  road.  and  15  off  road.   my ranger  is  tipped  to 15 digrees   and i have  no trouble.

[betterbeaters]

you are better off cutting the C's and moving the spring plates!

[Eroq]

my front is shimmed to 12*

your best caster angle would be 0* for street driven

[91 k1500]

where abouts did you find 12* shims?? or is that where the pinion is now?

if you cut and rotate the c's, do you have to mill the spring pads? or do ya just shim it?

[Eroq]

Diversified in brighton has 6* BDS shims, they're aluminum, i TIG welded 2 togather to get 12*

[91 k1500]

ah got ya! thanks for the heads up!

[betterbeaters]

you should cut the spring plates off and remount them after you cut the C's and r hook them!

[TopFist]

you are better off cutting the C's and moving the spring plates!

If your running it on the road I wouldnt shim it. We tried it once years ago. Made it about 1\2 mile. It was out of control.

[TopFist]

if you cut and rotate the c's, do you have to mill the spring pads? or do ya just shim it?
[/quote]


If you cut the "C"'s You wont have to touch the purches. You'll be adding the *'s to the "C"'s.

[nope]

if its a gm axle the right purch is part of the pig you have to mill or shim it to get pinion angle and then you can remove the tubes or the ends and weld them back on with the proper caster  on another note i had 8 deg on mine old truck with 4 steering shocks it with radial tires drove good with bias ply  it was still a hand full

[91 k1500]

Don't shim it at all if you want it to go straight down the road and have less wear on steering joints

what you need is a divorced case and a longer front shaft

I am thinking this is the way I am gonna go. I added alittle shim and ya cant drive it,.

[Bo Duke]

Ok i was reading this and im a lil confused as to what you guys are talking about, are u talking about puttin a wedge in between the springs and the axle to correct pinion angle? and what are C's

[Mudbuster]

Ok i was reading this and im a lil confused as to what you guys are talking about, are u talking about puttin a wedge in between the springs and the axle to correct pinion angle? and what are C's

the C's they are talking about are the thing on the end of the axle that looks like a C and the baljoints attach to. you can only shim the axle a little bit before you start running into problems with your steering and you have to cut the C's off and rotate them to get the steering geometry back where it's supposed to be. HTH

[Hammerlane]

Ok i was reading this and im a lil confused as to what you guys are talking about, are u talking about puttin a wedge in between the springs and the axle to correct pinion angle? and what are C's

Yep, what Mudbuster said.. 
1. yes, putting a wedge block between the springs and mounts, for strictly off road purposes this is acceptable to a point.
2. the C's are the king pins or ball joints or knuckles etc... these are generally flanged and slide inside your axle tubes (just like driveshaft ends), you can cut your welds off, rotate this section and reweld them back on.. this is your best option for correcting pinion angle on a front axle (and/or rear axle assuming you have quad steer).

[Gearz]

What are you suppose do with this part of it. Just don't seem safe for street with threaded rod too holed spring.
Machined too match angle I spouse. Just have never seen one tip or how they solve this on 60.

[84Chevy]

hmmmmmm divorced case maybe???

[Gearz]

Hmm thats what I though was going to be said. Well I guess I will run it this way.  If threaded rod brakes then go that way.Trial an error best way too learn. lol

[91 k1500]

bought a divorced t case.... gonna take all the shims out! truck would not stay on the road!!! lol

thanks for all the replies