Best way to center the rear axle when installing?

Pacfanweb

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2006
Location
Wake Forest
Putting a rear Dana 44 into my 81 CJ-7. Rear came from an 86 CJ...factory rear.
But, when I got it, it had no spring perches. So I have to get it centered somehow.
I've got it pretty close by eyeballing it, but obviously that's not good enough.

Where's the best place to measure from, with least room for error?
Run a straight edge down from the frame, then measure to the end of the axle tube? Any better way?
 
Sit your perches on the axle with the springs down on 'em. Measure from the backing plate to the outside of the perch on both sides...
 
Or do a search on the rear perch span width for a CJ and measure in from the backing plates with that. To get the best measurement though, you'll need to take the diff cover off.
 
Drop a plumb bob from the frame to the tube, and measure in from a backing plate or something on the outer ends of the axle to center it up... This centers the axle under the frame, which may or may not center it under the springs.

OR, loosely bolt your leaf springs to the perch with the u-bolts, and measure from the edge of the perch to the backing plate.. This will center the axle under the springs, which may or may not be centered under the frame.

I have no idea why he thinks you would need to take the diff cover off though.
 
Yeah, my first thought was a straight edge or a plumb bob from the frame. Not sure that a straight edge wouldn't be better, because to use a plumb bob, the frame would need to be perfectly level for the measurement to be right...right?

Your second way is probably what I'll do....I already have the rear loosely bolted up just like you described.
 
Either method requires the frame to be straight. Plumb bob doesn't care about it not being perfectly vertical, however.
 
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