Front camber issue

[athawk11]

I suppose the ball at the end of the axle could be bent...but that would have to be a pretty severe impact.

[JimVillers]

55-CJ ..... I thought that your picture of the front camber bearing looked like the cap was over a little from mine (picture attached).

If it was my jeep, I would just pull the top and bottom bearing covers to inspect the bearing.  I can't imagine that the axle tube is bent.

[specialty]

Guess that's what I will have to do.

[1955CJ-5]

Post a couple pictures of the knuckles if you can...maybe one of us will spot something......

[specialty]

Post a couple pictures of the knuckles if you can...maybe one of us will spot something......

Good idea. I will do that on Monday and maybe someone  will see it. I thought maybe I didn't have one of the races seated right but after thinking about it I don't think the pin would ever go in if that were the case. Right now I am working on the front springs trying to fix messes I never knew I had just replacing bushings. Looks like over the last 60 years lot's of nasty things were done like welds done at places you can't get to leaving me no choice but cutting a couple spring mounts off and replacing. It's amazing some of the rigs people can come up with. If as much effort was taken to fix it right as all the wasted time and effort to just to rig things up  this 3A would be mint.   :-/

[JimVillers]

Specialty ...... I also had to remove the old spring hangers and replace them.  I drilled out the rivets and ground off the weld.  I installed the new hangers in the same maner of the original, rivets and then welding.  Riveting was an interesting experience that I recommend.  Not that hard and they are surprisingly strong. 

Give riveting a try.

[specialty]

Does it take any special tools? I was thinking about using grade 8, 3/8 bolts with lock washers and a few spot of weld for assurance yet would still be easy to remove with a cut-off wheel. I got the 2 old ones off today and have some welding on the frame to do but almost ready to put the new ones on. The rear blocks seem to be fine, just new bushings. I made new bushings for them out of knylotron.

thanks, Ron

[JimVillers]

Ron .... It takes the riveting tool from Walack ($70) and an air chisel.  After practicing a couple of times on some scrap metal, you will get the hang of it. 

Bolts will work well, you will just miss the fun of learning to rivet.  I'll loan you the too and some rivets if you want to give it a try (190SLJim@cox.net).

[johnrb3b]

If you're interested in riveting, here are some links to the CJ-3B page - mostly about riveting the rear crossmember but still useful.

http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/ar/t2762.htm

http://z4.invisionfree.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/ar/t5377.htm

[specialty]

Right now I have already bolted everything and I guess I will leave as it is for now. Thanks for the information and offer on the tool. I may down the road get into some of that though. This is just my practice 3A !!! Getting my springs back on this week I hope.

[specialty]

Camber fixed. After replacing the messed up spring mounts on the side that the camber was terrible and replacing the bushings all the way around all is well. Someone over the years really did a bang up job on the left side spring mounts. It was like they just welded stuff around the spring loops to keep them from popping out. It must have made horrible noises slamming around in there. Anyway when I bolted up the new u-bolts all was good. It has about the same camber now as CJ-5's on page 1 judging by the pictures.
I want to thank everyone for their help and suggestions.

Ron