Jag rear adjustments - tweaking the angles - it actually can be done

[Keeper]

So I visited my local jag guy yesterday to ask some questions about e-brakes and alignment settings.

During the discussion I asked about the shims used to attach the lower swing arm brackets to the center housing. In relation to alignment settings and such. When I swapped out the center section I did not know what shims went where.

He informed me that there are no factory adjustments for the rear using those shims. I was informed that the shims were strictly to aid in the installation of the long shafts through the cage. BUT Since most hot rods do not use the cage but a couple of external brackets we can use these shims to "twist" the arms into alignment, now we are not talking huge amounts, but if your measurements are out a touch from side to side you should be able to use some alignment shims to tweak things into alignment.

So for those of you that may have mounted the center mount a touch off, there actually is a way to fix the issue without removing and rewelding the rear perch.

Just remember to safety wire things back up if you touch those bolts!

 

[Youngster]

Great tip, thanks

Ron

 

[oino]

Thank you.

Let me make sure I'm understanding this. As long as it's centered, Then I don't need them shims? Couple of mine are broke from rust.

 

[gfigms]

I would be interested in the procedure to checking the alignment ...

 

[Keeper]

Thank you.

Let me make sure I'm understanding this. As long as it's centered, Then I don't need them shims? Couple of mine are broke from rust.

Well the shims sort of center the center diff to the cage, but if your all right now, I would not touch anything!



There really is no procedure for checking the center alignment. Since everything is mounted in a cage, the cage puts everything where it needs to be. Only adjustment is the camber of the tires.

But since we do not use the cage things can get "twisted" which is how I found out about this "adjustment"

When I swapped out my center section this year I realized that my passenger side rear tire was now 7/16 further back then the drivers side tire. Measured from the front axle, and using the "Get it squared" tech article posted on the NTBA.

The only thing that changed in my build was the center section, so I started investigating and came to the shims. I had the shims from when it was disassembled, but had no idea what shim went where and of course a couple were thicker, so I winged it. Well I had them in the wrong spot. Once I moved the shims around to "Un-twist" the arms, things fell back into alignment.

I am not saying this is a way to fix mounts that are way off, but if your just a bit tweaked, this should be able to help you out.

 

[oino]

got it. Thanks