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-   -   Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ? (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=658276)

jbassC10 01-29-2015 11:45 PM

Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
4 Attachment(s)
My left front side drop is about 1 inch roughly lower than the front right side.

I've measured this at different locations to make sure it was just a hair higher elevation in the parkin lot then or over there etc. and the same distance is there.

What do you think the problem is guys?

(there's no weight in the bed over balancing on one side either)

Thanks for your time guys!
~Tyler
(I've checked the front drop springs and they seem to completely be sitting correctly in the spot of the front A-arms...in other words, not turned a bit this way or that way since there's stop point.)

[It's not causing any driving difficulties or notices at all, it's just by vision is the only notice]

leddzepp 01-30-2015 12:01 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
The infamous Chevy lean. Forty years on the road and the frame is probably tweaked a bit.

SS Tim 01-30-2015 12:06 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Did you measure the ride height first?
From the ground or the center of the wheel to a repeatable fender lip?
Did you verify the free height of the new springs as being equal between left and right?
Are your cab mounts good? Lowering could have made a pre existing condition more noticable. Is the frame known to be square?

bovey 01-30-2015 12:07 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
This happened to me as well, in my case a spring had sagged. Measure in two places like the centre of the wheel wells and a frame location - pick bolt holes for reference and make sure you are on flat ground.

Ironangel 01-30-2015 12:27 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Take a look at the cab supports and mounts. Left side usually wears out before the right, especially if the PO was a big guy...Might take a look at the core support mounts as well.

jbassC10 01-30-2015 02:05 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Oh wow! Awesome guys!

The measuring tips will be on my To-List for tomorrow!
...i'm excited to see what the measurements are because all the cab supports from being under it a numerous amount of times are still good. But hey, there's no problem with checking again!
Thanks so much guys!

~Tyler

cdowns 01-30-2015 09:10 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
normal on about 100% of old chevy trucks

hotrodder 01-30-2015 09:37 PM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
I agree with the frame sag. I have built five trucks and everyone of them had the probem. I do body work so I have access to a frame machine to bring the frame back to specs. If you don't want to go to that much trouble, you can get a spring rubber that goes under the spring to raise the corner. I think O;reillys, or Advance auot parts has them.

Lee H 01-30-2015 09:45 PM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
How many miles on your dropped suspension?

mechanicalman 01-31-2015 02:00 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jbassC10 (Post 7025861)
My left front side drop is about 1 inch roughly lower than the front right side.

I've measured this at different locations to make sure it was just a hair higher elevation in the parkin lot then or over there etc. and the same distance is there.

What do you think the problem is guys?

(there's no weight in the bed over balancing on one side either)

Thanks for your time guys!
~Tyler
(I've checked the front drop springs and they seem to completely be sitting correctly in the spot of the front A-arms...in other words, not turned a bit this way or that way since there's stop point.)

[It's not causing any driving difficulties or notices at all, it's just by vision is the only notice]

Whatever you do, carefully consider exactly what is causing this and do everything possible to correct only the root cause and if you decide to alter something else to compensate think real hard about that.

Put it on nice level concrete and start measuring. If the springs are the problem, then you should be able to detect a difference from side to side from the bottom of the frame to the pavement. If the frame is level on the front, then it's probably something else.

That being said, if it is springs, aforementioned spring spacers are the best way to go.

Also, consider the condition of the a-arm bushings. Worn, stiff bushings can alter ride height. Maybe get out the grease gun.

jbassC10 02-06-2015 12:43 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Hey, I've only got maybeee 500 miles on the drop. So the springs should be good to go if that's what you were wonderin.
I'm thinking a spacer probably in the front...will see!

jbassC10 02-06-2015 12:45 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Hey!
Yeah I will deffently keep that in mind: What happens here could move something over there.
And I haven't measured the frame or body in certain places, but that's on the to-do list for here soon!
I'm having a feeling, a spacer(s) is probably gonna be the fix.
Will see I guess!
Thanks for your time!!
~Tyler

jbassC10 02-08-2015 05:36 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
2 Attachment(s)
Here's the measurement from the center cap on the front wheels......

I also measured the frame front and back and it's all really close for being 45 years old! lol

.....What do you think guys? Would it be stupid to put only one spacer in the front to level it out??

Good ideas guys??

jbassC10 02-08-2015 05:37 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Sorry the photos didn't rotate correctly. And yes the photos are tough to tell exactly the difference, but were looking about an INCH down on one side than the other......

NC_John 02-08-2015 08:46 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Mine sat uneven when I got it. 1" down on the front drivers side corner. Thought it was just tired parts. Changed out all the suspension (springs, shocks) etc... New cab mounts, new rad support mounts.... Still leaned.

Took it to a frame shop and had everything squared back up,and set to factory zero. Still leaned. The body panels and body lines are perfect so we agreed the frame is indeed straight.

So I said "f*ckit" and cut my passenger side (brand new) coil spring down to match and level it. Perfect.

But now, a few months later, my passenger side is too low.

I give up.

jbassC10 02-09-2015 03:30 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by NC_John (Post 7038982)
Mine sat uneven when I got it. 1" down on the front drivers side corner. Thought it was just tired parts. Changed out all the suspension (springs, shocks) etc... New cab mounts, new rad support mounts.... Still leaned.

Took it to a frame shop and had everything squared back up,and set to factory zero. Still leaned. The body panels and body lines are perfect so we agreed the frame is indeed straight.

So I said "f*ckit" and cut my passenger side (brand new) coil spring down to match and level it. Perfect.

But now, a few months later, my passenger side is too low.

I give up.



Oh great. hahaha
Well smoke, Im lost now. haha
I'm gonna try the one side spacer first and play the game from there I guess.
Gee'z ..worst news for the day. haha
But really thanks for keeping me updated on what happen to you ole C10
NIght man!

Mr Handy 02-09-2015 07:56 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Mine leans to the drivers side about an inch as well. It made me think the frame was twisted. Crawling around under the truck one day I noticed the core support mount on the drivers side was completely gone... metal on metal... that makes up the 1" difference in the fender lip and also why the bumper looks tweaked... bumper is fine its the gill that's low. New mounts should get everything lined up.

Dustmaker65 02-09-2015 08:32 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jbassC10 (Post 7038948)
Here's the measurement from the center cap on the front wheels......

I also measured the frame front and back and it's all really close for being 45 years old! lol

.....What do you think guys? Would it be stupid to put only one spacer in the front to level it out??

Good ideas guys??


Tyler, by looking at your two pics, you have a good 1/2 inch difference from your measuring point and your rim edge... one is shy of 12 inches and other is strong of 12 1/2 inches.

Jimmy

Ironangel 02-09-2015 08:40 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Well according to your tape, your only a 1/2" inch down...That phantom can be spread out in 40+ years of existence...It's an old truck, not an Acura...A 1/2" can be in the body panels, sag in the cab supports and sheet metal...It can be in the new springs, have you swapped them? It can be anywhere, and everywhere..."just sayin" ;) PS...When you get it right, it's going to be down again as soon as you get in the truck...

jbassC10 02-19-2015 03:49 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Hey! Thanks for writing on here for me...and yea; AGE is probably where its at. lol And to answer your question: Yea I've put the new drop springs in, so there new. And the body mounts seem good to go! So I'd say...it's just the years on the body all the way around I'd guess! lol

72MARIO 02-19-2015 09:03 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
My suburban is a 1" lower on driver side when its aired out .......

jjzepplin 02-19-2015 10:25 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Oh just drive that good looking truck already!

Longhorn 70 02-19-2015 11:43 AM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Have you measured the difference in spread between the spring seat and upper AFrame? That is how I found a spring problem on mine years ago.

Spring was lifting one side more than the other. it was 3/4" difference which made a difference on the truck that was visible.

NC_John 02-19-2015 12:09 PM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn 70 (Post 7056110)
Have you measured the difference in spread between the spring seat and upper AFrame? That is how I found a spring problem on mine years ago.

Spring was lifting one side more than the other. it was 3/4" difference which made a difference on the truck that was visible.

wouldn't new springs eliminate that?

Fatherof3 02-19-2015 12:10 PM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns (Post 7026185)
normal on about 100% of old chevy trucks

This

Longhorn 70 02-19-2015 12:26 PM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by NC_John (Post 7056148)
wouldn't new springs eliminate that?

They should eliminate it.....do they for sure? That would depend on the springs. Mine were Moog brand and were only 5 years old. A new set in and baddabing, both sides equal.

Fitz 02-19-2015 01:24 PM

Re: Drop question? 1 inch down on left compared to the right ?
 
4 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by jbassC10 (Post 7025861)
My left front side drop is about 1 inch roughly lower than the front right side.

I've measured this at different locations to make sure it was just a hair higher elevation in the parkin lot then or over there etc. ~Tyler

You might not have a problem. When I built my truck I dropped it 4 1/2 inches in front and 5 in the rear with ECE drop coils and spindles. The first set of pictures is front and rear when assembly was finished. The 'experts' here claimed I could not have used the parts I said I did because the gaps between fender arch and wheels were HUGE. The second pics are taken after 200 miles on the truck after the suspension settled in. Compare the gaps. I believe your suspension is in the same state. Drive it a bit and check it again. I don't think you have "chevy lean" with new springs. I think it just needs to settle some.


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