Front suspension puzzler

:? While underneath my 70 today R&R ing the oil pan (changing the gasket but mostly getting a BIG dent out of it) I noticed an odd thing on the front axle. Maybe this is normal but is seemd weird. There is a cast pad on the passenger side of the Dana 27, with the long end going towards the back of the vehicle. It is attached to a cast lug on the frame by a rubber pad. Is this normal? I imagine that it limits articulation a lot, and cannot think why it is there. Sorry, no pictures. This is a 70 CJ5, with a factory V6. Has anyone ever seen this? Maybe it is because I am new to CJ5s, but it doesnt seem right. BTW, I have 5 leaf front springs and 10 leaf rear, both appear original, is this a stock setup?:?

 

I think this pad limits the axle or the drive shaft from hitting the starter on a V6 engine. I remember in the old days when ever we installed a V6 in a flat fender we would install a set of high lift springs in the front so the axle would not hit the starter. On my first converion back in 1971 I did not put the high lift springs on and had my front drive shaft knocked clean out of my Jeep one day when my Jeep hit a pot hole in the road and the starter hit the axle right at the front joint in the drive shaft and it came clean out and was laying in the road. If this is not what this is than you got me on this one.

 

I never thought of that.. makes sense, but it sure limits your front travel...

 

Yep, The pad thing is stock. On mine It keeping the front driveshaft off the engine or for the most part, the starter, although when I put in a new starter it had a bolt loop that hangs down and is begining to leave a nice shiny mark on my driveshaft... I need to go grind it off.

Anyways. I would recommend leaving it on. It might limit upwards travel, but thats articulation that will hurt.

 

the difference in leaf count between front and rear is "normal" for some options.

btw my 69 v6 also has that same pad and lever

 

good, all making sense now... some things look weird when you are lying on your back under a JEEP.