Rear axle centering

I've searched and can't find any answer. My 60 CJ5's rear axle seems to be about a half inch or so off center to the passenger side. With my 750x16's you didn't notice it that much, but now with new rims and wider tires it really sticks out. I've jacked it up, loosened the ubolts and banged around but couldn't get anything to move. Any suggestions on how to move it over a bit? The springs look straight and everything looks good there, but the axle just doesn't look right. Is this normal by chance? Any suggestions, pictures or etc?

 

Putting the is back out there. Dana 44 in 60 cj5. Tried moving the axle, no help. Body is centered on frame. Can anyone post a picture from the rear that shows how the tires line up with the body? Any others out there with similar issue?

 

Is this the original axle ? or a replacement.
Measure from the spring perch to the backing plate, the distance should be equal. It's possible the perches were welded on incorrectly from a P.O.

 

Yeah, start measuring to find where the issue is, then go from there. Something isn’t right.

 

Ok measured and found spacing on spring perches are the same. I did see that the brake drum on the one side has less spacing between it and the backing plate. All the other drums have at least 1/2” and this one is little less than 1/4”. The brakes are not stock, I believe they are from a newer CJ.

 

Make sure your wheels all match too. Same width/offset.

 

The set that came on the 3a when I bought it were all the same style; three are 7”, one is 8”. Took me about a month before I realized it.

 

Check your spring shackles. If they are wore, springs could be leaning/shifted to one side.

If you are out a half inch, all you will move the axle is a quarter inch. Not much.

Do you tires all have the same air pressure ?

 

Try posting some images from the rear, sides and underneath. There are many here that may see something that you may miss in describing.

 

Here's another idea. Perhaps the axles are not centered in the housing. If all the shims for axle bearing endplay are located on one side that can could be your off center condition. Look to see if you only have shims between the backing plate and axle housing on one side. It is fine if it is, but to be truely centered you will need to move half to the other side. It shifts the spacer block over between the axle.