Front Perch Plate Question

[Rod Clements]

Considering adding 1/4" spacer plate to my front perch plate. The tie - rod taps the bottom of the front frame rail (I have noticed this by paint marks on the top side of the tie rod). Upon further inspection, the tie rod to frame rail clearance on the driver's side is almost 1/4" less than the passenger side.

I'm not sure the existing pair of u-bolts would be long enough if spacer is added. Speedway Motors stocks only what I have now. Does anyone have any ideas or options on locating some longer U-bolts and what might be causing the tie rod clearance issue on driver's side? * The perch plate is located on top of the leaf springs. Thanks!

 

[2old2fast]

You can use a plate drilled like your spring perch & 4 bolts instead of u-bolts .... AFA the clearance thing , what kind of steering arms do you have ?
dave

 

[ibfishn]

yes

 

[butch27]

I had to add a 3/4" plate to mine. No problem.

 

[PotvinGuy]

Hmmm...my Speedway front end came with this Panhard rod mount, which goes below the spring:

Instead of U-bolts, it just uses 4 ordinary bolts to attach to the perch. You could make a plate like this and then add spacer plates above the spring as needed.
But first I'd want to know why the sides are different. Are the frame rails the same distance off the ground?

 

[2old2fast]

Original post was 1 1/2 years ago , OP never answered back...