The Ford Barn

flathead 53 · 06-30-2012, 01:39 PM

Replaced front leaf springs on my 53 ,bought springs from MAC , removed old springs noticed no shims on axle, also mac does not mention shims in catalog. I looked through mid fiftys catalog and they carry shims 2 degree and 4 degree. do I need these shims? Also while driving if I hit couple of bumps front end shakes a little.

B Duncan · 06-30-2012, 03:43 PM

I have a 53 F-100 also. I had a severe bump steer after rebuilding the front end. New king pins, drag link, tie rods, springs ect... I tried 2, and 4 degrees. The 4 degree worked better, but switching to radial tires cured was the fix. Death wobble @ 60 mph on the highway is not fun. Also, check and make sure the steering box is tightly mounted to the frame. I have the toe set at 1/8".

joe plumber · 06-30-2012, 06:25 PM

Before switching to a Mustang 2 front end ,I used 4 degree shims in the stock front end .I would guess it all depends on what shape it is in to begin with .

pineapple · 07-03-2012, 01:23 PM

Hello, I had Sid in oklahoma drop my stock f1 axle, he recommended using 6 degree caster shims as ford axles have zero caster and need some sort of caster shim. I followed his advice. Then played with the toe in at different settings and ended up at 1/32 or so toe in.I'm running old bias ply tires. Drives great.

Flat Ernie · 07-04-2012, 09:10 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

On these parallel leaf axles, the shackles must be good and tight too. Any wear and you'll have fun going down the interstate!

06-30-2012, 01:39 PM	#1
flathead 53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: central nj Posts: 717	1953 f-100 front end Replaced front leaf springs on my 53 ,bought springs from MAC , removed old springs noticed no shims on axle, also mac does not mention shims in catalog. I looked through mid fiftys catalog and they carry shims 2 degree and 4 degree. do I need these shims? Also while driving if I hit couple of bumps front end shakes a little.

06-30-2012, 03:43 PM	#2
B Duncan Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Easley, SC Posts: 51	Re: 1953 f-100 front end I have a 53 F-100 also. I had a severe bump steer after rebuilding the front end. New king pins, drag link, tie rods, springs ect... I tried 2, and 4 degrees. The 4 degree worked better, but switching to radial tires cured was the fix. Death wobble @ 60 mph on the highway is not fun. Also, check and make sure the steering box is tightly mounted to the frame. I have the toe set at 1/8". __________________ Brad Duncan

06-30-2012, 06:25 PM	#3
joe plumber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 820	Re: 1953 f-100 front end Before switching to a Mustang 2 front end ,I used 4 degree shims in the stock front end .I would guess it all depends on what shape it is in to begin with .

07-03-2012, 01:23 PM	#4
pineapple Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 82	Re: 1953 f-100 front end Hello, I had Sid in oklahoma drop my stock f1 axle, he recommended using 6 degree caster shims as ford axles have zero caster and need some sort of caster shim. I followed his advice. Then played with the toe in at different settings and ended up at 1/32 or so toe in.I'm running old bias ply tires. Drives great.

07-04-2012, 09:10 AM	#5
Flat Ernie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 74FL Posts: 323	Re: 1953 f-100 front end Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) On these parallel leaf axles, the shackles must be good and tight too. Any wear and you'll have fun going down the interstate! __________________ Daddy always said, "If yer gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough" and I'm one tough sumbitch! T5 Tech