Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » front wheel spacers
| front wheel spacers [message #69372] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 18:10  |
jayrabe
Messages: 509
Registered: June 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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One of the first upgrades I'm planning is the front wheel spacers to correct the front/rear track difference. I've found aluminum ones on both Applied GMC and Alex Sirum's site. Is aluminum the only option? The best option? Any difference between Applied and Sirum? Any tips or things to watch out for? It looks like a pretty straight-forward bold-on task...
Thanks for the great info and advice on this site.
J
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| Re: front wheel spacers [message #69378 is a reply to message #69372] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 18:52  |
bukzin
Messages: 840
Registered: April 2004
Location: North California
Karma: 0
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I got mine from Jim K at Applied.
I did not shop around regarding options
but they seem to have helped the 'rut wander'.
Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers [message #69380 is a reply to message #69372] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 18:59 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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All I know is that our supplier in Southern California uses a aluminum
stock that the auto/ truck use. We have been supplying them for the
last 9 years with no problem.
Only tool that you'll need is a standard deep 1/2" drive socket to set
the 8 nots.
On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 4:10 PM, Jay Rabe <jayrabe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> One of the first upgrades I'm planning is the front wheel spacers to correct the front/rear track difference. I've found aluminum ones on both Applied GMC and Alex Sirum's site. Is aluminum the only option? The best option? Any difference between Applied and Sirum? Any tips or things to watch out for? It looks like a pretty straight-forward bold-on task...
>
> Thanks for the great info and advice on this site.
>
> J
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers [message #69381 is a reply to message #69380] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 19:06 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Richard,
We ran out of calenders as I told the suppler that I was not going to
pay the new price he wanted. He got clever and sent me 15% fewer.
Our filter salesman have few left so I will send you one.
On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 4:59 PM, Jim Kanomata <jimkanomata@gmail.com> wrote:
> All I know is that our supplier in Southern California uses a aluminum
> stock that the auto/ truck use. We have been supplying them for the
> last 9 years with no problem.
> Only tool that you'll need is a standard deep 1/2" drive socket to set
> the 8 nots.
>
> On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 4:10 PM, Jay Rabe <jayrabe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> One of the first upgrades I'm planning is the front wheel spacers to correct the front/rear track difference. I've found aluminum ones on both Applied GMC and Alex Sirum's site. Is aluminum the only option? The best option? Any difference between Applied and Sirum? Any tips or things to watch out for? It looks like a pretty straight-forward bold-on task...
>>
>> Thanks for the great info and advice on this site.
>>
>> J
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jim Kanomata
> Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
> jimk@appliedairfilters.com
> http://www.appliedgmc.com
> 1-800-752-7502
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: front wheel spacers [message #69411 is a reply to message #69372] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 21:53 |
pyolet
Messages: 78
Registered: August 2006
Location: Helena, MT
Karma: 0
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New tires, alcoa's, tie rods, bearings, ball joints, steering gear box within a year all improved drivability somewhat, but freeway and 2 lane truck ruts still drove her uncomfortably wherever she wanted to go.
Then I added spacers. The single most dramatic improvement (and easiest to install!!). Instant improvement with overwhelmingly better trackability, and with over 10k on them, no signs of bearing stress whatsoever.
I would recommend this to every GMC owner.
How's that for an endorsement?
Woody.
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| Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers [message #69412 is a reply to message #69409] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 21:52 |
GMCWiperMan
Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Bob,
"Rutting" is the phenomenon one experiences when driving on a highway with
deep ruts beaten into the pavement by heavy trucks. In any vehicle, most
drivers' inclination is to drive with their wheels in the ruts. If one
deviates to either side,the vehicle will tend to climb that side of the rut,
causing a fishtailing effect. I'm sure we've all experienced it in almost
everything we've ever driven.
With the different front and rear tracks on the GMC, the phenomenon has
worse than usual effect: With the wide rear track, it's especially easy for
one of the center & rear wheel pairs to touch and climb the side of the rut.
Rather than the front touching and climbing, followed immediately by the
rear wheels, as with equal front and rear tracks, it's more likely for the
rear to begin to climb first. With the tail wagging the dog, the driver's
tendency is to correct toward the rear's wayward excursion -- then the front
catches and begins to climb. It's probably even possible for the rear to
climb one side of a rut and the front to climb the other side. With the
flexibility of the rear suspension arms compounding the problem, a GMC can
be a handful on a badly rutted road.
With the spacers on the front to equalize the front and rear track widths,
at least the GMC should react more like most other vehicles. I've heard a
lot of people who've installed spacers swear by them; I've never heard
anyone swear at them. But I personally installed them, drove 130 miles on a
badly rutted section of I-75, and removed them, even though I had them
practically for free. A lot of other factors than just the track difference
seem to affect how a coach reacts to ruts; my 23' isn't badly affected.
HTH,
Ken H.
On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 10:28 PM, Bob Moss <fums6@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> I would like to know what the spacers actually do for the coach. I
> understand that the front and back wheels don'r track but so what. I'm not
> sure I ubderstand the term "rutting". Any answers would be appreciated.
> Bob Moss
> 77 Eleganza II
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers [message #69413 is a reply to message #69412] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 22:06 |
jayrabe
Messages: 509
Registered: June 2009
Location: Portland, OR
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thanks to all who replied with info. I've ordered a set from Applied. I've only driven it a few hundred miles, but as Ken said, it is a handful on rutted roads. I'll let you know how it improves after installation.
J "spending money already" Rabe
> Date: Sat, 2 Jan 2010 22:52:24 -0500
> From: ken0henderson@gmail.com
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers
>
> Bob,
>
> "Rutting" is the phenomenon one experiences when driving on a highway with
> deep ruts beaten into the pavement by heavy trucks. In any vehicle, most
> drivers' inclination is to drive with their wheels in the ruts. If one
> deviates to either side,the vehicle will tend to climb that side of the rut,
> causing a fishtailing effect. I'm sure we've all experienced it in almost
> everything we've ever driven.
>
> With the different front and rear tracks on the GMC, the phenomenon has
> worse than usual effect: With the wide rear track, it's especially easy for
> one of the center & rear wheel pairs to touch and climb the side of the rut.
> Rather than the front touching and climbing, followed immediately by the
> rear wheels, as with equal front and rear tracks, it's more likely for the
> rear to begin to climb first. With the tail wagging the dog, the driver's
> tendency is to correct toward the rear's wayward excursion -- then the front
> catches and begins to climb. It's probably even possible for the rear to
> climb one side of a rut and the front to climb the other side. With the
> flexibility of the rear suspension arms compounding the problem, a GMC can
> be a handful on a badly rutted road.
>
> With the spacers on the front to equalize the front and rear track widths,
> at least the GMC should react more like most other vehicles. I've heard a
> lot of people who've installed spacers swear by them; I've never heard
> anyone swear at them. But I personally installed them, drove 130 miles on a
> badly rutted section of I-75, and removed them, even though I had them
> practically for free. A lot of other factors than just the track difference
> seem to affect how a coach reacts to ruts; my 23' isn't badly affected.
>
> HTH,
>
> Ken H.
>
> On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 10:28 PM, Bob Moss <fums6@aol.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > I would like to know what the spacers actually do for the coach. I
> > understand that the front and back wheels don'r track but so what. I'm not
> > sure I ubderstand the term "rutting". Any answers would be appreciated.
> > Bob Moss
> > 77 Eleganza II
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/
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| Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers [message #69415 is a reply to message #69413] |
Sat, 02 January 2010 22:18 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Radial tires has the tendency to climb the ruts.
While the front climbs one side,the rear climbs the other side.
None of the spacers are forged, just machined out of rated aluminum
stock. I'm sure it is in our file, but I'm not there now.
On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 8:06 PM, Jay Rabe <jayrabe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks to all who replied with info. I've ordered a set from Applied. I've only driven it a few hundred miles, but as Ken said, it is a handful on rutted roads. I'll let you know how it improves after installation.
>
> J "spending money already" Rabe
>
>
>
>> Date: Sat, 2 Jan 2010 22:52:24 -0500
>> From: ken0henderson@gmail.com
>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers
>>
>> Bob,
>>
>> "Rutting" is the phenomenon one experiences when driving on a highway with
>> deep ruts beaten into the pavement by heavy trucks. Â In any vehicle, most
>> drivers' inclination is to drive with their wheels in the ruts. Â If one
>> deviates to either side,the vehicle will tend to climb that side of the rut,
>> causing a fishtailing effect. Â I'm sure we've all experienced it in almost
>> everything we've ever driven.
>>
>> With the different front and rear tracks on the GMC, the phenomenon has
>> worse than usual effect: Â With the wide rear track, it's especially easy for
>> one of the center & rear wheel pairs to touch and climb the side of the rut.
>> Â Rather than the front touching and climbing, followed immediately by the
>> rear wheels, as with equal front and rear tracks, it's more likely for the
>> rear to begin to climb first. Â With the tail wagging the dog, the driver's
>> tendency is to correct toward the rear's wayward excursion -- then the front
>> catches and begins to climb. Â It's probably even possible for the rear to
>> climb one side of a rut and the front to climb the other side. Â With the
>> flexibility of the rear suspension arms compounding the problem, a GMC can
>> be a handful on a badly rutted road.
>>
>> With the spacers on the front to equalize the front and rear track widths,
>> at least the GMC should react more like most other vehicles. Â I've heard a
>> lot of people who've installed spacers swear by them; I've never heard
>> anyone swear at them. Â But I personally installed them, drove 130 miles on a
>> badly rutted section of I-75, and removed them, even though I had them
>> practically for free. Â A lot of other factors than just the track difference
>> seem to affect how a coach reacts to ruts; my 23' isn't badly affected.
>>
>> HTH,
>>
>> Ken H.
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 10:28 PM, Bob Moss <fums6@aol.com> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >
>> > I would like to know what the spacers actually do for the coach. I
>> > understand that the front and back wheels don'r track but so what. I'm not
>> > sure I ubderstand the term "rutting". Any answers would be appreciated.
>> > Bob Moss
>> > 77 Eleganza II
>> >
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers [message #69423 is a reply to message #69412] |
Sun, 03 January 2010 00:05 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| GMCWiperMan wrote on Sat, 02 January 2010 19:52 |
... I've heard a lot of people who've installed spacers swear by them; I've never heard anyone swear at them. ...
|
I have heard someone (or was it more than one) swearing at them, but it wasn't about the rut running problem. He (they) had problems climbing steep driveways with the spacers.
From the discussion that followed, I think spacers will magnify any problems with the front suspension. Make sure it is "up to snuff" and spacers will most likely be the improvement they are advertised to be.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers [message #69424 is a reply to message #69413] |
Sun, 03 January 2010 02:43 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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On the drive out of Ohio I thought my coach needed major suspension
work. I was a white knuckle driver for the first few hundred miles.
2 1/2 months and 3,000 miles later I drive it with 2 fingers. I've
gotten used to it. I'll do some suspension work this year but I'm in
no hurry.
Ljdavick at comcast.net
On Jan 2, 2010, at 8:06 PM, Jay Rabe <jayrabe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks to all who replied with info. I've ordered a set from
> Applied. I've only driven it a few hundred miles, but as Ken said,
> it is a handful on rutted roads. I'll let you know how it improves
> after installation.
>
> J "spending money already" Rabe
>
>
>
>> Date: Sat, 2 Jan 2010 22:52:24 -0500
>> From: ken0henderson@gmail.com
>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers
>>
>> Bob,
>>
>> "Rutting" is the phenomenon one experiences when driving on a
>> highway with
>> deep ruts beaten into the pavement by heavy trucks. In any
>> vehicle, most
>> drivers' inclination is to drive with their wheels in the ruts. If
>> one
>> deviates to either side,the vehicle will tend to climb that side of
>> the rut,
>> causing a fishtailing effect. I'm sure we've all experienced it in
>> almost
>> everything we've ever driven.
>>
>> With the different front and rear tracks on the GMC, the phenomenon
>> has
>> worse than usual effect: With the wide rear track, it's especially
>> easy for
>> one of the center & rear wheel pairs to touch and climb the side of
>> the rut.
>> Rather than the front touching and climbing, followed immediately
>> by the
>> rear wheels, as with equal front and rear tracks, it's more likely
>> for the
>> rear to begin to climb first. With the tail wagging the dog, the
>> driver's
>> tendency is to correct toward the rear's wayward excursion -- then
>> the front
>> catches and begins to climb. It's probably even possible for the
>> rear to
>> climb one side of a rut and the front to climb the other side.
>> With the
>> flexibility of the rear suspension arms compounding the problem, a
>> GMC can
>> be a handful on a badly rutted road.
>>
>> With the spacers on the front to equalize the front and rear track
>> widths,
>> at least the GMC should react more like most other vehicles. I've
>> heard a
>> lot of people who've installed spacers swear by them; I've never
>> heard
>> anyone swear at them. But I personally installed them, drove 130
>> miles on a
>> badly rutted section of I-75, and removed them, even though I had
>> them
>> practically for free. A lot of other factors than just the track
>> difference
>> seem to affect how a coach reacts to ruts; my 23' isn't badly
>> affected.
>>
>> HTH,
>>
>> Ken H.
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 10:28 PM, Bob Moss <fums6@aol.com> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I would like to know what the spacers actually do for the coach. I
>>> understand that the front and back wheels don'r track but so what.
>>> I'm not
>>> sure I ubderstand the term "rutting". Any answers would be
>>> appreciated.
>>> Bob Moss
>>> 77 Eleganza II
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service.
> http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] front wheel spacers [message #69434 is a reply to message #69432] |
Sun, 03 January 2010 08:06 |
Charles
Messages: 455
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I think you should look at true track on the mid wheels long before you
go to front spacers. True track stabilized my coach to the point I am
not even considering spacers. I did add a sway bar to the mid wheels
later but only because I got it as a gift for helping a friend. The sway
bar took out a lot of the wind problems I had encountered when passing
or being passed by 18 wheelers.
Charles
> On Sat, Jan 2, 2010 at 5:10 PM, Jay Rabe <jayrabe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> One of the first upgrades I'm planning is the front wheel spacers to
>> correct the front/rear track difference. I've found aluminum ones on both
>> Applied GMC and Alex Sirum's site. Is aluminum the only option? The best
>> option? Any difference between Applied and Sirum? Any tips or things to
>> watch out for? It looks like a pretty straight-forward bold-on task...
>>
>> Thanks for the great info and advice on this site.
>>
>> J
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Steve Ferguson
> '76 EII
> Sierra Vista, AZ
> Urethane bushing source
> www.bdub.net/ferguson/
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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Charles Wersal
Duncanville, Texas
26 foot 1975 Glenbrook
Pandora's Box
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