Rebuilt Front End Not Fitting

[captain marty]

I rolled my completed front end back under my truck, attached the radius ball and then found the front spring was forward about 1 ½ inches. I read where I need to verify my spring perches are exactly spot on and will remove the spring and check. Anybody else have any ideas on what may not be right for a good spring to frame fit?
Thanks,
Marty

[BrianT]

It is best to install the front spring into the cross member first, as you raise it up you can look thru the side of the cross member to see when the spring bolt enters its locating hole, when you have it loosely fitted with the u-bolts you can pry the spring backwards to align the radius ball.

[gunmetal 2]

I second that, that BrainT just said.

[captain marty]

I will be testing this theory tonight and sure would like to get this thing in.
It looked so easy in the DVD I watched.
Isn't that always the way.
Marty

[Stakebed]

cool, im sure when i get to this point (soon!) i will have issues same as you!.

now to add to this question is it OK to install the front axle before engine/trans? i plan to bolt trans to engine then lower it all in as an assembly...

[KimVanOrder]

cool, im sure when i get to this point (soon!) i will have issues same as you!.

now to add to this question is it OK to install the front axle before engine/trans? i plan to bolt trans to engine then lower it all in as an assembly...

yup, thats the way to so it. At least that is what I did and it worked fine.

[macswoods]

that is the way I did mine. That way you can have the truck sitting the wheels. mac...

[captain marty]

I got the complete assembly in last night.
I loosened up the spring perch nuts and freed the perched.
I removed the spring and then put a piece of angle iron across the fronts of both perches to be sure they were straight w eachother.
Installed the spring and left everything kinda loose.
I put the spring up in the frame and then jacked the rear of the wishbone up and pryed the ball in.
It is all in.
Thanks guys,
Marty