Steering

[Jef-fro]

I’m almost through putting my front end back together new kingpins but I can’t remember the exact placement of the tie rods if anyone has some pics of the underside of a 521 or a diagram that would be helpful 

[wayno]

All you have to remember is there is a left and right tie rod, you can only put them together one way as the holes are tapered, they will only go in one way.

[Jef-fro]

I have the center link out to I can’t remember if it went in the holes close to the oil pan of the holes back toward the bumper 

[wayno]

The center link goes in the holes the farthest away from the oil pan.

[Jef-fro]

Ok thanks I got everything put back together new tie rods center link kingpins upper control arm bushings lowered 3” in the back and a 1” in the front. Just made a test drive and I’m pleased with the results.seems to ride a lot better without the overload leaf 

[wayno]

Happy endings are always good.

That overload leaf should not even come into play unless the truck is loaded, it should make no difference when the truck is empty unless someone removed other leafs also, that would be bad.

[datzenmike]

Leaf springs are progressive and get stiffer as they are forced down by load.... or hitting a low spot in the road at speed, don't forget that. The early 620 leaves range from 150-650 lb./in. Probably the same as the 521, but later 620s are 100-300 lb./in. Always good to have a safety net on a lowered vehicle to prevent bottoming on a severe dip not seen till too late. The rest of the time you're riding on the softer and flexible 'at rest' leaves for comfort.

[Jef-fro]

My upper control arm bushings were completely gone to the point were is was metal on metal and there was a lot of slack in the kind pins so I’m sure that had a lot to do with the ride quality improving