when i bought my 82 it leaned a little to the passenger side. i heard this was normal cuz the battery and gas tank were on this side and thats what happens. i had to replace the seal on the same side cuz it leaked. now it makes a clunking noise when engaged in 4x4. a guy i know in cali said the axle housing was bent. but a guy in oregon thinks its a bent axle and not the housing (i think he is an idiot) any thoughts? Im pretty sure its bent at the narrowest part of the housing.

P.S. anyone know where to buy steel axle shims? i'm lookin for 4 degrees

 

Bent axle shafts have no affect on ride height or anything else on the front axle, it is a full floating design, axle shafts only transmit torque, they carry none of the vehicle weight. Bent housing would be noticed by having extreme difficulty getting the axle and birfield joint into the bent side. Clunking may be due to a bad birfield or at least one in need of lube (did you clean and regrease the one on the leaking side?). Also could be a worn out spindle bushing or even a hub.

Common for that side to sag due to the extra weight on that side, plus it has a higher spring perch and thus a flatter spring. You could add a spacer or thicker shim (see below) to that side.

Steel shims:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/Shims.shtml

 

wow great speed on the post. I'm disappointed the only mechanic that live around my left. he was the only guy that knew what he was doing on 1st gen pickups. i'm left to do all the work myself and damn is it hard. thanks for the link. exactly what i needed.