Bi-directional I-beams?

[gokellurself]

Hey guys, my question stems from a previous thread "Steering Issues on lowered straight axle" that I didn't want to thread jack. It was discussed that shims on front I-beams should have the fat part to the front of the axle. I have a drop axle

I had mine with the fat part towards the rear, so today I jack it up and get to switching it around. But it's no wonder I faced them that way, they have a little built in centering pin, and it's towards the rear




So then I get to thinking, could my whole axle be backwards? Is there an actual direction of the axle? This is just how it's always been on my truck, but now looking at it I don't really see any changes marking one front or back. It's looks damn near symmetrical



Or do I just trim the centering pin off, set the fat part to the front and forget about it?? I sound looney as I type this but somebody chime in to settle my ignorance down

[dwcsr]

Fat part toward the back so you get the caster right, that's why the tab is there so you don't get it backward. There are other reasons for bad steering on a straight axle almost all are worn parts. Spring hangers, rod ends, kingpins, drag link. steering box