Jump to content

Ford 8.8 SOA swap, perches are even but axle isnt centered


Recommended Posts

Short and too the point...

 

My perches are even from wms to center eye on each side and the distance between the perches is 41.6" where factory is 42" (Preload from difference in measurements causing the problem?). But when I measure down from the frame towards the axle with a straight edge the axle is off by more than 1/2" towards the driver side... I do not understand why!!

 

When I measure from hub center to the bottom of the fender I get dead even amounts of lift on each side.

 

I'm almost at the point of cutting off the perches and re-welding them where they'll be uneven on each side on the axle just so the axle sits even with respect to the frame.

 

Suggestions? I'm at a loss.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 8.8 is offset a tad to one side...leave it alone

You will never notice

The pinion is offset to one side, that I know. But that still doesn't explain why the entire axle is offset to one side if the perches are the same distance from perch center eye to WMS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you've got a different amount of spacing between the perches as you do the spring hangers, whichever side which has the stiffer spring and least bushing play will try to centre itself, meaning it'll pull/push the axle one way or the other. Due to location of driver and fuel tank, the spring on the driver's side will wear faster, so won't be quite as stiff as the passenger side, which probably explains why it's pushing that way.

Will it make a huge difference in the way the truck drives? Probably not, as long as the axle is still straight. But if it isn't straight, then you'll see slight handling eccentricities and accelerated tire wear due to the alignment problem. And either way you'll see a small increase in spring and bushing wear vs having the proper perch spacing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Reread and I'm following you now...

Did you put the tires on and set the truck back on the ground to set the final positioning before tacking it up?

That part always seems to take the longest as I measure like 200 times

Like the other guys said I would make sure they are the same measurement as the front hangers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...