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1953 Chevy Truck Frontend Suspension Rebuild - Straight-Axle Straighten-Up

1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Air Ratchet
With the leaf springs still... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Air Ratchet
With the leaf springs still attached to the framerails (and the truck securely supported), the axle can be removed. Take note whether or not wedge-shaped caster shims are being used between the axle and spring, as you'll want to reinstall them later.
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Lmc Truck Parts
Though LMC does offer replacement... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Lmc Truck Parts
Though LMC does offer replacement springs, in order to retain the truck's lowered ride height, we were able to locate an appropriate used spring. However, LMC was the source for all the associated parts, such as shackles, bushings, pins, and all the hardware.
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Rear Hangers
After the old springs had... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Rear Hangers
After the old springs had been removed, we noticed the rear hangers were very loose. To alleviate this, we removed the factory rivets and replaced with grade 8 hardware.
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Frame Bushings
Next we replaced the frame... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Frame Bushings
Next we replaced the frame bushings and...
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild New Pins
...installed the new pins... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild New Pins
...installed the new pins complete with shiny new grease fittings.
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Replacement Pin
Then we did the same on the... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Replacement Pin
Then we did the same on the leaf springs...
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Leaf Spring Pin
...before hanging them back... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Leaf Spring Pin
...before hanging them back under the framerails.
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Rear Pin Installation
The springs will probably... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Rear Pin Installation
The springs will probably turn out to be the easiest portion of the job by far-just start by installing the new rear pins...
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Spring Eye Attachment
...and then finish up the... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Spring Eye Attachment
...and then finish up the front by attaching the shackles to the spring eyes, and then finally onto the frame. That's it.
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Old Spindle
Now back to the spindles.... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Old Spindle
Now back to the spindles. The ones that came off the axle had definitely seen better days, and there was no question we needed a new set. Notice the damaged caused by an exploding bearing!
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild New Spindle
Fortunately, Bowtie Bits ended... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild New Spindle
Fortunately, Bowtie Bits ended up having a good set in stock. Having ordered them while the springs were being installed, we hardly lost any time at all waiting for them to arrive.
1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Oil Lite Bushings
As mentioned earlier, always... 
   
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1953 Chevy Truck Front End Suspension Rebuild Oil Lite Bushings
As mentioned earlier, always work from the inside with the Oil-Lite bushings. A press is not required for installation; they should go right in, and usually without the aid of tools. Remember to line up the oiling holes in the bushings with the grease fitting holes on the spindles

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