diagonal

[primetime]

hey i got some trouble with my truck that i hope can be fixed with your advice. i'm going down the road at a weird angle. other than a bent frame, what can make this diagonal driving happen?

[bitchin85]

bad alignment probly.. was it ever in a wreck that you know of?

[N2TRUX]

Check your rear springs. If the alignment pin is sheared the axle could be running crooked.

[old Rusty C10]

first off are all the tires the same kind and type and SIZE??? check your springs and hangars then allignment

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Check your rear springs. If the alignment pin is sheared the axle could be running crooked.

I have seen this several times, cars and trucks.

[primetime]

the guy i bought it from never informed me if it was in a wreck. so i don't believe the frame is damaged. he did tell me he tried or someone tried to lower the back end. i assumed that meant he did something with the rear springs. but they are leaf springs not coils. so i'm not sure how they went about this drop.nothing looks out of place to me.

[bitchin85]

n2truck could be right. if lowered the back by removing some leafs, thes the pin in the middle of the springs could be broken, cut, or even missing. i would measure from the edge of the tire to the front edge of the wheel well on both sides and make sure they match, also coult the leafs on both sides and make sure there is the same ammount on both sides. iknow it sounds dumb but ive seen people do worse.. trust me. if thats all ok, then i would say alignment. or mis-matched tires or really uneven tire pressure

[James McClure]

Primetime, this condition is called "dogtracking", and is caused by the rear axel not being square with the frame. There are only a few causes for this out of square condition. Depending upon how far it's out it isn't easy to spot. Number 1 is the frame itself and this can be checked by finding 2 locations on the front of the frame and 2 out back. Using a plumb from each, mark the floor and move the truck off the area and measure from LF to RR and from RF to LR. Measurements should be the same within 1\4". Ideally they would be identical. Next would be rear springs. To check this (assuming frame is square) find a spot on each frame rail that is in the same position. Measure from there to the center of the axel at the inner "U" bolt. They should be the same. If not, look for "rust trace", an orange powdery rust, it's a good indicator where something is shifting that shouldn't be. Look for broken springs and like N2TRUX said, spring center bolt and assorted mounts. It doesn't take alot to cause this. 1\4" at the rear axel can be a foot by the time you get up front, so look carefully. Jim

[primetime]

yup,i see it. i looked underneath and my leaf springs seem misaligned. i see the powered rust areas. and also where it appears i'm missing one or two leafs per side. i don't know how many suppose to be stacked on one another.
is this something that can be fixed quickly or doe it have to be done by professionals?

[James McClure]

OK, glad I got you on the right road, now, check the other stuff as time permits. Your going to have to replace the springs if they have broken leaves. Generally, ok, half ton trucks have 4 leaves and 3\4 tons have 5. You could put 20 in if ya wanted. Seriously, think about what you carry, then select the spring. I haven't a clue as to cost, so call spring shops. Get new bolts, and "U" bolts for sure. I recomend using a sawsall to cut old bolts. Just torch the old "U" bolts. Cut on the INSIDE of the shackle or hanger and spring will fall out. Just be real careful not to cut into shackle or hanger. You don't want to try to unbolt them and try to get the bolt out of the sleeve in the bushing, WAYto much work. Good luck, Jim

[87chevy.com]

depending on which springs broke just remove them. as far as torching thoe old bolts off... thats up to you. I've always soaked the bolts with some penetraing lube and let it soak... zapped it with a impact.. you could go to 4 wheelparts and grab a new centering pin... and just cut it to size. all in all its something that doesnt have to go into a shop unless you just cant crawl under your truck for some reason.
clint

[primetime]

hey can someone post a pic of their leaf springs. i have 2 thin leaf springs on top of 1 thick one per side. i want to see how far off i am from correctness. also, the end of my springs have crazy angles to them where they mount to the bolt. almost looks like a 's'. i'll post a pic later when i get home.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by primetime

hey can someone post a pic of their leaf springs. i have 2 thin leaf springs on top of 1 thick one per side. i want to see how far off i am from correctness. also, the end of my springs have crazy angles to them where they mount to the bolt. almost looks like a 's'. i'll post a pic later when i get home.

r'uh r'oh - sounds like someone may have heated and re-arched the ends to lower the truck, and didn't get them the same side to side.

K

[bitchin85]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

r'uh r'oh - sounds like someone may have heated and re-arched the ends to lower the truck, and didn't get them the same side to side.

K

exactally what i thought. its a cheap, not so safe way to lower one of these.. heating and bending the springs weakens them..

[primetime]

i got a few pics of the leaf springs with my phone camera.

[bitchin85]

yeah those were heated and bent.. and someone removed some leafs.. it works, but its not the best/safest way to lower a truck..

[primetime]

so there's no fixing this other than buying new factory leaf springs?

[bitchin85]

pretty much.. if i were you, id get new springs. 5 leafs i believe, and do a flip kit. it will ride better, and youll have about the same ammount of drop

[primetime]

this is how its sitting right now. the only problem is the dog tracking

[primetime]

what is a flip kit? what does it look like?

[bitchin85]

it moves the rear axle to the top of the leaf springs. i blieve it just comes with a couple brackets, and longer u-bolts

[primetime]

i found another post where someone said they are going to install a flip kit on his truck. so i'll be following his progress to see the before and after pics. guess i'm looking to buy a new set of springs and flip kit before i can drive my truck again.

[Adams74Chevy]

I'd call around to the local junkyards to see if they've got anything.

[primetime]

Originally Posted by Adams74Chevy

I'd call around to the local junkyards to see if they've got anything.

i wish i had realized last week what was going on with my leaf springs. now i'm back in WV and the closest pull-a-parts is 2hours away in Canton,Ohio. so for convience sakes i'll just buy some new ones from somewhere. do napa,carquest,autozone sell those?