Axle not centered in car

[HWYSTR455]

Actually, the 'correct' way to fix this is to have a new housing done, with unequal length axles. The rears are off center slightly to the pass side so that the shaft has a straight-shot on the pinion yoke, the pinion being to one side of the ring gear. This is more 'defined' when using a 9", fyi. The reason this is done by GM is so that the axles are the same length, less parts to manufacture.

Some correct this by making the rear overall shorter, and using a spacer on the drivers side. Others just live with it the way it is.


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[Jmartorana]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Actually, the 'correct' way to fix this is to have a new housing done, with unequal length axles. The rears are off center slightly to the pass side so that the shaft has a straight-shot on the pinion yoke, the pinion being to one side of the ring gear. This is more 'defined' when using a 9", fyi. The reason this is done by GM is so that the axles are the same length, less parts to manufacture.

Some correct this by making the rear overall shorter, and using a spacer on the drivers side. Others just live with it the way it is.


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I have never heard of anyone doing this. Especially without finding out why it's off although it is common to find 1/2" difference. It is usually fixed by making a few minor adjustments but nothing as extreme as have a new axle housing made.

[HWYSTR455]

Ah, but you've never heard of anyone doing this because most just live with it! Or don't notice it! It's 'off', because that's the way GM made them, period. It's not because it was hit, not because the housing is damaged or some kind of defect, it's because that's the way it was designed.

Ask people who are squeezing the most tire under their' cars, what their' measurements are coming out as, and you'll see, EVERYONE has this issue with less room on the pass side. Or for that matter, look at factory collision repair specs, and it will show you it's off to one side.

Why do you think, as you stated, it's 'common' to find it 1/2" different? Because they are all like that. What kinds of minor adjustments have you heard of?


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[Jmartorana]

I've lossened things up and moved them around to get it closer. Front leaf brackets and leaf spring perches by trimming the spring isolators. I can usually get everything within an 1/8" on something out as far as 1/2"

I stuffed 275/40r18's on 9" rims into a stock Nova wheelwell and have 3/8" on each side inner and outer without rolling the inner lip.

It can be done. I just think it would be a little extreme to start cutting axle tubes and axels for a 1/4-1/2 inch on an otherwise daily driver.

[HWYSTR455]

I see what you're saying, yeah, sure, you can shuffle it a little, but you start messin' with driveline alignment, and in your case, I bet you get some vibration. Yes, it's extreme to cut a rear to get it centered, but I'll stick to it, it's the 'correct' way to do it (to ensure proper driveline alignment). Like I said, to avoid the extreme, use less tire and live with it.

[Fluid Power]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Ah, but you've never heard of anyone doing this because most just live with it! Or don't notice it! It's 'off', because that's the way GM made them, period. It's not because it was hit, not because the housing is damaged or some kind of defect, it's because that's the way it was designed.

Ask people who are squeezing the most tire under their' cars, what their' measurements are coming out as, and you'll see, EVERYONE has this issue with less room on the pass side. Or for that matter, look at factory collision repair specs, and it will show you it's off to one side.

Why do you think, as you stated, it's 'common' to find it 1/2" different? Because they are all like that. What kinds of minor adjustments have you heard of?


.

I agree 100%, I took a ton of measurements after the perches were welded (I did do sloppy work the first time around) and realized the tubes are not equal. I just did the best I could to split the difference and lived with it. No one has ever noticed it and I have plenty of critics as friends that would have hammered me for it.

Darren