Slick 60's

I just did the rear axle flip on my sons 64 but before cutting any notches I wanted to check the centering of the axle comparing it to the marks I had down on the frame. It seems that the axle now sits 1 inch ahead of the centerline marks, I can drill a new hole in the axle saddles moving everything back but that means the axle will now sit slightly behind the center bolt going through the springs, will that cause any negative effects? Thanks for you help.

frank p wrote:I just did the rear axle flip on my sons 64 but before cutting any notches I wanted to check the centering of the axle comparing it to the marks I had down on the frame. It seems that the axle now sits 1 inch ahead of the centerline marks, I can drill a new hole in the axle saddles moving everything back but that means the axle will now sit slightly behind the center bolt going through the springs, will that cause any negative effects? Thanks for you help.

Are you checking with full normal load on the springs?
Paul

Frank.
If you indexed your marks correctly I can't see how you lost 1". But as long as the rear end is square in relationship to the frame, I don't think that 1" is going to cause any problems except with the length of the drive shaft.
I'd leave it like it is now. Just make sure your bump stop is centered over the top of the axle housing with the housing in full collapse position.. Remember, the radius arc for travel on the rear end will be from the front spring mount, and the rear spring hanger is just there to take up slack movement as the spring coils and uncoils. In fact, that might account for your lost inch because you moved the actual centerline UP about 5", but I couldn't tell for sure without actually seeing how you laid things out. Don't worry, be happy. Go for it.

Frank.
If you indexed your marks correctly I can't see how you lost 1". But as long as the rear end is square in relationship to the frame, I don't think that 1" is going to cause any problems except with the length of the drive shaft.
I'd leave it like it is now. Just make sure your bump stop is centered over the top of the axle housing with the housing in full collapse position.. Remember, the radius arc for travel on the rear end will be from the front spring mount, and the rear spring hanger is just there to take up slack movement as the spring coils and uncoils. In fact, that might account for your lost inch because you moved the actual centerline UP about 5", but I couldn't tell for sure without actually seeing how you laid things out. Don't worry, be happy. Go for it.

I went back and threw some weight on it and looked again and this time it was only off between 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, close enough!
I want to thank you guys/gals who input info and help the weak minded (talking about myself, no one else) for all your help, hopefully I can return the help some day.

Remember, the radius arc for travel on the rear end will be from the front spring mount, and the rear spring hanger is just there........ Geometry is a wonderful thing. Its just we've all been out of school for so long, nobody thinks to use it anymore. I suspect that when you get everything back on the truck and loaded, it will line up a lot closer than you think.