Technical Rear Axle Clearance for Transverse Leaf Setup?

Been working on a 1934 Truck for many years and just recently got it on the road. Going through the break in period now. Long story short i have a rear transverse leaf spring set up. Going down the road not long ago it bottomed out on my truck bed side panels and i had my brake lines on top of the axle where they go into the backing plates...changing that up now to prevent this in the future. My question "Is there a standard height the side panels should be cut/notched above the axle to avoid bottoming out?" like say 4"

See photos for reference.

Best Malachi

 

Best way is to install rubber bump stops on the frame above the axle, and when the axle is on those stops the sheet metal should be cut to have enough clearance to avoid contact.

 

^^^^ what he said ^^^^^

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It looks like you have the 2 position spring hangers, are you using the top hole? For the past several years I've used bump stops made by Bell Tech that I get at Jeg's. The 1.25 inch stop is #146-4922 and the 2 inch stop is #146-4923 I like them because they are softer than the black rubber bullets. I actually have a couple of my deuces that almost ride on these stops. I can't find a good picture of how we notched the bed side for clearance on my deuce highboy pickup and the truck is now in Florida.

 

Ok Gotcha that Makes sense.. thank you for the input.

 

Yes 2 position hangers in the top hole...This is great information and thank you for fwd'ing me the pick of the 32. I should be able to sort this all out now and get back on the road...Best

 

Pics can be deceiving. In the pic with the damaged brake pjpe, there appears to be very little clearance to the bed side. You need probably about 3" there, might get away with 2? The pic with the drum removed, the axle is on a stand so the axle to body/chassis is roughly at normal ride or thereabouts, right? If so it looks like the end of the spring is about to meet the axle bracket. Conjecture on my part, it looks like this interference will have limited the axle movement and had this not happened the bed sides would probably be in a much worse state. It looks like the spring is too wide. Sorry to be the bringer of bad news, and maybe it's just the deceiving pics. You might get lucky and find some clearance using the lower spring mount?

Chris

 

Yes Chris thank you for the input...i was just talking to Cornhusker about the Rear Main Leaf spring (lowest leaf) and possibly shortening/narrowing it. I was having some rear end issues and i recall the rear end was slightly narrowed a bit. I'll get it sorted out...live and learn. Got a pro coming over next weekend to put at eye on things.

 

Cut the sheet metal neatly so that it matches the bottom of the frame.

 

Looking at the last picture with the axle on jack stands taking all the weight, the shackles should not be straight up and down. They should be close to a 45 degree angle. Your main leaf is to long for your spring mount spacing.

 

Yeah i plan to tiddy it up a bit nothing fancy...would like to bead roll it but little too late for that

 

Yeah that's been discussed with a couple people likely have to shorten the bottom leaf

 

Move the brake lines

 

I wouldn't go any less than 2'' add shocks as well if you haven't. 3'' and up is usually smooth riding. also, you can bring that spring to a spring shop to have it "re-arched" this will make your shackles come in at a 45 degree and improve spring function. The springs are Spring steel as a professional I wouldn't advise cutting or welding on the spring, especially the bottom leaf.

 

Yeah i'm working on that now... thanks for sharing your photo...doing something similar but a lot tighter in that area on my truck

 

Yes thank you for your input all good information... I do have shocks and i am now well aware i am looking at "re-arching" the spring rather than narrowing i agree cutting the spring is sketchy...Best