so to make a boring story short - Within the next month I'm going to be doing a lot to my truck and determining whether to keep it or not (nother story posted long ago)

Anywho, I'm redoing my rear suspension and will be getting a one piece drive shaft in the near future. I currently have shims with my spring pack. Should I keep them in or take them out (didn't make any difference with the vibes). Will they make any difference with the one piece?

Thanks,
Matt

Matt,

I'm sorry to say that I don't have an answer, but I think this is an excellent question!

I have the one-piece drive shaft, but no shims... and yes, sometimes it will shudder like a SOB when pulling out on a hill from a dead stop.

I'm very interested in hearing your opinion on things, once you have both. --- Oh, and BTW, do you have the 4* or 6* shims?


Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Smiley

You know, I'm don't know? I got these spring packs off of Matt and they were already on there. I'll take a pic later on. I'd guess 4*.

The situation explained in length. Long time ago when whatever dude was selling those super long shacles on ebay, I bought a set. No problems with them, just that they are super long and I originally had them at their longest extension (of the 3). I think that from the length, the takeoff vibe, the way I like to drive over these washboard roads; I managed to crack one of the leafs. So I bought a pair of used add a leafs from Troy and a set of spring packs that Matt had.

I lowered the shackles to the middle position pic and used the new packs w/add. But I didn't drill out the packs to accomodate the new super beefy center pins Matt sent. I used the regular size. Well, now I have sheared one. So I'm redoing it

Please do not follow my example; Do <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> right the first time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />


Matt

To do it right, you really need to measure the angle at the pinion flange and the angle at the output shaft. That, will tell you if you need shims. If you can get away without the shims, go for it. Shims have a habit of spitting out at the most inopportune moments. And, then it is all down hill from there.

The other option is to just not install them and see if it shudders.

Michael

Well I've got the side off that has the sheared pin; and man that thing was beaten; has grooves all over. I guessing I torqued that side way too much? What kind of grease should I use between the leafs when I reassemble?

Unirevolt-
I would just use any decent bearing grease. (I used Napa brand red grease when I rebuilt my spring pax. Worx great! Good luck brother! And Smiley- I dont have near the lift you have (3.5" susp. lift) But I do have a one piece, C/V (1310 u.j.s)driveline in my 96 (Rodideo). I ended up using 4 deg. shims on my rig. But...what I found was, that under load, with normal spring wrap, the operating angle of my pinion flange was actually was actually a little too high-I.E. my driveline was pointing quite a few degrees higher that my t-case flange. I then used the shims to lower the angle of my driveline (thick end of shim faces rear). My driveline angle is now perfect, and my truck has never run smoother! For what it's worth... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
P.S. 1 pc. C/V drv. line- Hands Down-Best mod I have done to my rig! I lived WAY too long with the dreaded A.L. (after-lift) rear end rumble! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Geeezà I think my RodeoÆs reputation is starting to precede me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

--- Todd, if youÆve got 3.5-inches of suspension lift, then youÆve got me beat by about an inch. --- I have 3ö + 3ö (suspension + body).

Although, with all of the extra weight that I carry around (tools, spare parts, your basic-everyday-junk, etc.), my 3-inch rear shackle & Add-a-Leaf lift actually works out to something more like 2.5-inchesà which is pretty much exactly how far I have the T-bars cranked-up, so when itÆs all said and done, everything sits level enough to suit me.


Thanks for the shim info! --- What you described basically matches what I was thinking, but itÆs defiantly good to have some facts (and a positive review) to work with. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


But now I have another related question:
Since ours have a spring-under set-up, wouldnÆt the addition of that shim actually reduce your overall lift by the thickness of the wedge itself? --- Yeah, I know itÆs not *THAT* thick, but still, sometimes every single bit of lift really matters. (Of course, on the other hand, getting rid of that [Bleepity-bleep-bleep] shudder would be CAKE!)


Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
Smiley

Smiley-
Yeah bro!-and Hawaii makes 50 states that know yer rig! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />The thick ends of my 4 deg. shims are only about 3/8", and since the axle sits dead-center of the shim, the difference in lift is negligable at best. Hope this helps and Best of Luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

The new centering pins are 3/8" dia. (nearly positive) Should I have my holes drilled out to 3/8 and "punch" them through or 7/16 and leave a little slack? How much should I torque the nut down? How much should I expect to pay for a shop to drill them out?


Thanks Again,
Matt

Matt - I bought some grade 8 center pins / bolts at Lowe's and (*damnit* <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />) I'm going to have to go out and dig through my gear to see what size they were - no drilling needed, but after dropping one spring pack and seeing the bolt EXPLODE <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />, I thought I should get some back-ups <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> . I'll post back soon .... (*as my wifey is asleep .... shhhhhhhh* <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />)

[edit] Well it took some time to find them (weren't where they should've been) and, wouldn't you know it, I didn't write the size down on the bag!! - I can "measure" for you if it would help - sorry Matt [/edit]