4WD front spring perches twisted??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gregbr · 06-17-2005, 08:07 PM

I was installing a 4" lift recently and noticed my front axle front spring perches are bent or twisted outward toward the wheel. Is this OK, normal, or do I need to straighten and reinforce the frame? BTW, it's a 67 SWB factory 4wd.

jay_shy · 06-17-2005, 08:38 PM

Not sure about that. Just wondering where you got the lift kit. Does your truck have the closed knuckle front end. I have a 68 factory 4X4 I an thinking about lifting in the future.

Jason

gregbr · 06-17-2005, 10:55 PM

Yes, it has the original closed knuckle front axle. I bought a Rough Country 4" softride kit for the 69-72 k10 truck. The springs/bolts/mounts are the same as our 67/68. The difference is on the axle steering arm, I could not find a replacement arm for the 67. But, with the new springs installed I have alot of movement left on the ball joint connecting to the axle arm, so it has not been a problem. But the 6" and bigger will require a offset arm, I'm sure. I removed a 4" lift (will sell soon) and installed the softride 4" hoping for a better ride. Hope this helps you, Greg

gregbr · 06-18-2005, 06:43 PM

ttt

jay_shy · 06-18-2005, 09:06 PM

Thanks for the info greg. I think When its time I will get a 4 inch soft ride also.

Jason

4x4Poet · 06-19-2005, 01:16 AM

Just to be clear, the pads on the axles that the springs set on to be u-bolt clamped to the axle are the "spring perches." The frame-mounted brackets that take a spring-eye bolt or shackle bolt are spring-eye or shackle-bolt brackets.

As a general rule, bent or twisted spring brackets are never a good thing and usually unsafe. Can you post some pics? Are both front spring-eye brackets bent or just one side? Try comparing them since they are identical in an asymmetrical sense. With all the angles and welds the brackets have, I would guess that the frame horns are bent before the brackets.

In any case, if you think they are bent, have a frame repair shop ckeck them out. Estimates should be no charge.

gregbr · 06-19-2005, 03:49 AM

OK, it's the front axle front spring eye brackets......and yes, both sides are bent slightly upward (at the end toward the tire). Looks like each frame rail may be twisted slightly, I agree the brackets are too beefy to bend. Will try a picture Sunday sometime (hopefully).

06-17-2005, 08:07 PM	#1
gregbr Senoir Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rock Hill, SC USA Posts: 1,214	4WD front spring perches twisted??? I was installing a 4" lift recently and noticed my front axle front spring perches are bent or twisted outward toward the wheel. Is this OK, normal, or do I need to straighten and reinforce the frame? BTW, it's a 67 SWB factory 4wd. __________________ 67 Chevy, Small back glass, Factory 4WD, Factory Shortbed, Factory V8, Lifted 4" 70 GMC Sierra Grande, Factory Shortbed, Factory 402/400 turbo, Super Custom Interior. Numbers matching with SPID & Build Sheet. 68K Original Miles. Restored 2010 70 GMC Restoration Pictures http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...00&ppuser=4424

06-17-2005, 10:55 PM	#3
gregbr Senoir Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rock Hill, SC USA Posts: 1,214	Yes, it has the original closed knuckle front axle. I bought a Rough Country 4" softride kit for the 69-72 k10 truck. The springs/bolts/mounts are the same as our 67/68. The difference is on the axle steering arm, I could not find a replacement arm for the 67. But, with the new springs installed I have alot of movement left on the ball joint connecting to the axle arm, so it has not been a problem. But the 6" and bigger will require a offset arm, I'm sure. I removed a 4" lift (will sell soon) and installed the softride 4" hoping for a better ride. Hope this helps you, Greg __________________ 67 Chevy, Small back glass, Factory 4WD, Factory Shortbed, Factory V8, Lifted 4" 70 GMC Sierra Grande, Factory Shortbed, Factory 402/400 turbo, Super Custom Interior. Numbers matching with SPID & Build Sheet. 68K Original Miles. Restored 2010 70 GMC Restoration Pictures http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...00&ppuser=4424

06-18-2005, 06:43 PM	#4
gregbr Senoir Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rock Hill, SC USA Posts: 1,214	ttt __________________ 67 Chevy, Small back glass, Factory 4WD, Factory Shortbed, Factory V8, Lifted 4" 70 GMC Sierra Grande, Factory Shortbed, Factory 402/400 turbo, Super Custom Interior. Numbers matching with SPID & Build Sheet. 68K Original Miles. Restored 2010 70 GMC Restoration Pictures http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...00&ppuser=4424

06-19-2005, 01:16 AM	#6
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	Just to be clear, the pads on the axles that the springs set on to be u-bolt clamped to the axle are the "spring perches." The frame-mounted brackets that take a spring-eye bolt or shackle bolt are spring-eye or shackle-bolt brackets. As a general rule, bent or twisted spring brackets are never a good thing and usually unsafe. Can you post some pics? Are both front spring-eye brackets bent or just one side? Try comparing them since they are identical in an asymmetrical sense. With all the angles and welds the brackets have, I would guess that the frame horns are bent before the brackets. In any case, if you think they are bent, have a frame repair shop ckeck them out. Estimates should be no charge. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

06-19-2005, 03:49 AM	#7
gregbr Senoir Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Rock Hill, SC USA Posts: 1,214	OK, it's the front axle front spring eye brackets......and yes, both sides are bent slightly upward (at the end toward the tire). Looks like each frame rail may be twisted slightly, I agree the brackets are too beefy to bend. Will try a picture Sunday sometime (hopefully). __________________ 67 Chevy, Small back glass, Factory 4WD, Factory Shortbed, Factory V8, Lifted 4" 70 GMC Sierra Grande, Factory Shortbed, Factory 402/400 turbo, Super Custom Interior. Numbers matching with SPID & Build Sheet. 68K Original Miles. Restored 2010 70 GMC Restoration Pictures http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...00&ppuser=4424 Last edited by gregbr; 06-19-2005 at 03:53 AM.

06-17-2005, 08:38 PM	#2
jay_shy SWB 4X4 CLUB Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1,088	Not sure about that. Just wondering where you got the lift kit. Does your truck have the closed knuckle front end. I have a 68 factory 4X4 I an thinking about lifting in the future. Jason

06-18-2005, 09:06 PM	#5
jay_shy SWB 4X4 CLUB Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1,088	Thanks for the info greg. I think When its time I will get a 4 inch soft ride also. Jason



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