Anyone replaced the differential leaf spring perches?

[mr. fix it]

Hi everyone,
I have the diff out of the car and see that my diff leaf spring perches have seen better days.

Has anyone replaced theirs in the past on the 8 3/4 housing?

 

[moper]

I've modified them, and cut them off and re-welded new ones. I would not do this in the car: figure out how to hold the housing so it can't move (rotate). I had the whole thing on a bench (or floor). Make or find reference points on the housing for each perch so you can reinstall in exactly the same position. You can also make a template to locate off the tube that properly indexes the flat side for the spring. Then cut the old off and dress the old welds. Then install the new perch and tack weld them in place. Then install the axle in the car & check for pinion angle. When that's good, fully weld them but skip around so you don't put a ton of heat into the housing in one spot at once.

 

[Big_John]

Hi everyone,
I have the diff out of the car and see that my diff leaf spring perches have seen better days.

Has anyone replaced theirs in the past on the 8 3/4 housing?

I can't imagine what has happened to the spring perches. I've never seen a problem with a factory installed spring perch.

Welding on new ones is possible, but you have to watch out because you can warp the housing.

If it were me, I'd try to find another housing. Bet a C-body housing without the center section would go pretty cheap.

 

[mr. fix it]

I missed the replies here from a week or so ago... Got to clean my glasses more often I guess!

Well the perches are rotter pretty good. if someone in the Niagara area has one then that would certainly help out with the repair.
Any idea what years fit my 66?

I certainly understand that the angles are critical to this.

I'm going to check out spring n' Things as well to see if they sell the perches

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Dr. Diff has them for $15 for a pair. Just take good measurements from flange to perch and with a staight edge scribe lines longitudinal front and back of old perchs so you do not lose your degree orientation.

 

[mr. fix it]

thanks I'll check it out!

 

[mr. fix it]

Perches arrived last night! now the fun begins.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

Done yet?

 

[mr. fix it]

Done yet?

I'm good but not that good ! LOL!!!

 

[fury fan]

Old thread but I have a tip to offer future readers:
If simply replacing factory perches in the original location, you can use a 3" exhaust u-bolt clamp for reference, make a metal plate that will attach to it and extend to the side to the original perch. Mount the ubolt such that the plate holds the same angle as the original perch, then remove old perch and weld new one on.
That's a simplification, of course, but gives the idea.

 

[mr. fix it]