Leaning Truck ?

[mhicks]

My son's pickup is low on the passenger side. He has had it about a year and we made atrip to Arkansas a while back and he followed us and we followed him. We noticed that the passenger side of the truck is leaning. We measured from the ground to the highest point on the fender openings and it is about an 1 1/2 lower on the passenger side. He installed new 3/4 ton springs under it and it is still low on the passenger side. We haven't gotten under it and done any measurements yet. Any ideas on what this could be? The bed and the cab are both that way. Thanks.

[cliffsta]

How old are the shocks? Ol Red has a "gangsta lean" b/c worn out shocks. If shocks are good, the shock or spring mounts could be worn; they aren't too expensive IDT so ya might change that stuff too. Just throwin thoughts out there, hope they help.

[mhicks]

Hadn't thought of that. They might be the original ones. I wouldn't think they would both wear on the same side like that would they? I always thought that the shocks carried no load except while it is moving up and down.

[kevinr1970]

My '86 1/2T 4x4 Diesel is the same way. I just put new shocks all the way around (front quads). Still leans.

[swervin ervin]

If it was just the cab leaning, I would say it has worn out cab mount bushings. Still probably has but the bed is mounted solid to the frame and it shouldn't be leaning, unless you have a warped frame or something.

It's very possible you have worn leaf springs or maybe a broken leaf.

Make sure all the tires are the same size and properly inflated also.

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by swervin ervin

Make sure all the tires are the same size and properly inflated also.

Yep. I have TWICE bought new tires and had the shop put 2 different sizes of tire on the vehicle. The first time, they put 3 of 1, and a fourth of a different size. It was not real noticeable. The second time (different vehicle), they put two of one size on one side, and two of another size on the other.

Also, normal shocks don't bear the weight of the truck. The excepton is that gas shocks are under pressure, and can raise a vehicle a very slight amount. They would not cause it to sit 1.5 inches higher on one side.

Air shocks are a different story, but they should be plumbed so that they have equal pressure and lift on both sides. I did once break a shock mount on a car with air shocks. That gave it a pronounced lean. You probably would have noticed it if that was the problem.

I tend to agree with Swervin. I would check for broken leaves (leafs?) in the back. If that isn't it, check for frame damage.

Slonaker

[Prerunner1982]

is the truck equiped with a passenger side tank? maybe the truck is loaded to one side? i use my drivers tank, i sit on the drivers side (obviously), i have my town chains and such stowed on the drivers side. i use to have my tool box on the drivers side as well but moved it to the passenger side to help level it out.

[C&C Chevy]

Is it low in the front or back? My truck has a low bed on the passenger side due to a cracked leaf spring.

[cliffsta]

Originally Posted by mhicks

I wouldn't think they would both wear on the same side like that would they? I always thought that the shocks carried no load except while it is moving up and down.

Yes and yes i guess. If an, oversized, person tended to ride on the passenger side, or if the passenger weighed more than the driver, it could cause it to lean. Does it lean only when people are sitting in it or all the time? Mine leans to the driver's side since no one rode in the thing with my dad (and he is not overweight in the least). I definately think you should check your shock mounts and the like. I'd say check into re arching your leafs, but that would only affect the back.
Also, remember, the weight of a person IS putting a load on the shocks, albeit only 150-210 pounds. And every bump that causes shock motion will add strain to the chocks.
Just throwin some speculation out there for ya.

[mhicks]

Thanks for the ideas. It leans when the driver is in or not in. The fuel tank is on the passenger side but I think he hardly keeps enough gas in it to matter. I was thinking about getting underneath it and making some measurments from where the rear leaf springs bolt to the frame and go from there.

[RockHQ]

Let's get this "worn shocks cause a vehicle to sag" out of our system? Please. Because it's ridiculous.

I have replaced dozens, nay probably close to a hundred or more shock absorbers during my career and with the exception of externally pressurized compressed air shocks meant to carry weight, not a single one made any visible difference in vehicle ride height.

It's a fact gas shocks have a tendency of pushing the piston outwards when not suspended in a vehicle. They can be compressed with little effort with a single hand. How many of you can lift your own body with a single hand? I can't. How much does your car or truck sag when you hop in? One inch? Two inches? Think about it.

[cliffsta]

oki. excuse me. sorry for throwing out suggestions and trying to help in my pathetic way. from now on ill keep my big mouth shut and keep the obvious little knowledge i have to myself and let the obsessed know it alls answer questions. better to be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt, right?

[Liz]

k lets not turn this into somethin its not.. got issues with each other use PM not the forum

[Josh]

One thing to check is the front and rear springs, also measure tire size, check inflation, make sure it has matching shocks (a mis matched set of shocks that one doesnt extend as far as the other, or one that is bent/bound up can cause a vehicle to lean), look for any obvious frame damage etc. if all else fails if you can shim the lean out a little bit...

And Please keep it on topic, don't try to argue etc. it doesnt get anyone any answers......

[68 Stepside]

Definitely check for a bent/bound up shock, as well as the springs. My truck had a lean to it...because of a bent shock (my fault ). My buddy just bought a 79 F250 4x4 that leans bad as hell to the left, it has broken leafs. I suspect it's probably a spring problem for your son as well, I'd check those over really well.

[mhicks]

We installed brand new 3/4 ton springs under the front. We didn't notice if it was leaning before we installed them. It is leaning in the front and back according to the measurements from one side to the other.

[RockHQ]

Cliffsta, sorry if i made i sound like i was referring to you personally. I wasn't. I just wanted to make it clear that worn out shocks don't affect ride height unless, like Josh pointed out, a shock is bent.

[MylilBowTie]

Did the coil springs get installed correctly into the lower a-arm? There is a small indented spot for the bottom of the coil spring to rest in. When I went to replace mine with the hd coils one side was about 1/4-1/2 taller than the other side. I know you said it was front to back but it might be a combination of the front and rear.

It helps to measure from the center of the wheel to the edge of the fender lip or bedside. It helps to eliminate different tire wear (lower air pressure from tire to tire) and stuff like odd angles like uneven pavement where it is sitting.

[screwballl]

my 76 C1500 has leaned (passenger side lower) since i got it (2 years now) and everything checks out ok.. the tank is on the passenger side (low side) and stays over 1/2 full most of the time and thats the only thing i could think of that might cause that.. previous owners keeping it full most of the time and it just has a natural lean from the gas weight.. this can be a culprit especially with 20-30 years of use liek this.. i would think shock bushings, leaf springs or just a combination of everything on that side from the weight on it for all these years. Might be time for a complete workup of all suspension related items including sway bars, etc...

[us111]

had just about same problem when i tore 76 down,,found main bottom leaf broke in half,also 3rd leaf from bottom was same way,,although truck hasn't been put back together yet,i personally think that along with worn cab mount's may be my problem,,hope that helps,, p.s. the leaf's were broken right above the axle...

[cliffsta]

yeah i get made fun of for my "gangsta lean". i really outta work on that after i finish my little bit of motor work.

[88Jimmy4x4]

worn out springs