Rear tire is hitting leaf spring on sharp turns

[ajt53]

What else could cause axle alignment issues outside of bad torque arms?
I recently acquired a M35a2 that had a snapped passenger rear torque arm. The prior owner was driving it around with the a tow strap holding the side of rear axle that had the snapped torque arm. I thought this probably damaged the other arm so I went a head and replaced both rear torque arms with brand new one from boyce following the TM procedure. After the replacement everything was aligned and I took it for a test drive. I know the axles are designed to float and move around, but when I turn my rear tires are actually rubbing against the leaf springs (see attached pictures). It feels like I have another problem I need to address. Does anyone have any tips on where to look next or have you experienced a similar problem?

Thanks for the help!
Andrew

 

[Elk1111]

It may just be the camera angle but the upper one looks bent also. I would get the truck on a flat surface and realign everything and probably do the rest of the dogbones and possibly new u-bolts also.

 

[NDT]

This guy found the axle bent:

M342/M35 trunnion and suspension repair "Watch Wes Work"

Wes is not a military truck mechanic - but a very thorough and methodical general vehicle and equipment mechanic from Illinois. In his YouTube channel he is tracking down a rear suspension issue on a M342 dump truck - very neat and interesting! What started like a loose trunnion bearing quickly...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[V8srfun]

The springs keep the axle from drifting side to side more than the dogbones do. If it was not for the springs you would just rip the rubber right out of the bushings when loaded and turning. Granted if you have bent or damaged dogbones fix them but you may find bent springs or a bent axle.
Don’t forget to also check the trunnions for play as they could cause similar symptoms.

 

[gringeltaube]

What else could cause axle alignment issues outside of bad torque arms?

Most likely, bad bearings in the spring seats. Read this post, that's how you check them for lateral play.

 

[MG2936]

Most likely, bad bearings in the spring seats. Read this post, that's how you check them for lateral play.

My rear wheels were not tracking when backing up and turning. Bad spring seats. They were so worn and beat up that I put on new seats, bearings, and spring U bolts. $500,,,,,,,,,That was back in Dec of 2003,

 

[ajt53]

Thanks all for the quick reply's. This is a slow an steady kind of project, but I'll make sure to post the results on what I find after trying some of these suggestions. Hopefully in the will have results in the next 2 months.