Leaf springs and uneven ride height - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Pyrotechnic · 12-18-2009, 07:46 PM

My truck came with some super stiff 8 leaf spring packs. I took out the overload and one of the upper leafs that wasn't doing much awhile back. Now the truck doesn't sit level. One side turned out perfect but the other side is a touch high. I'd say about an inch off just eye balling it. What are my options for getting the springs and ride height evened out ? I've brain stormed a few things...

-Get another set of 8 leaf springs and try my luck with those.
-Put a lift block on the lower side (higher than I want but would be level)
-Build a custom shackle for lower the high side
-Pay to have the springs re-arched so they will be even (is this even a good idea and does it produce results ?)
-Design and build some kind of adjustable shackles so I can do whatever I want with the ride height (would be pretty cool)

Of course a custom suspension with coil springs would be the ultimate since a pair of coil springs are cheap and come in any spring rate you want. Gonna be awhile before I'll be able to pull of anything like that though.

Any other idea's or advice ?

flamingbig10 · 12-18-2009, 08:15 PM

a sand bag on the high side

Slammed '87 · 12-18-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

a sand bag on the high side

haha i actually used this as a temporary solution to level mine out once.

STOCKISH · 12-18-2009, 09:11 PM

Either get new springs..... Or bag it!

slugish · 12-19-2009, 12:55 AM

dearck the springs on the high side > best way <

Lo78 · 12-19-2009, 01:21 AM

i just order a 5/7 drop for my truck and i got bags also for the rear and that way if i need to i can level it out

KQQL IT · 12-19-2009, 06:04 AM

Switch the leaf pack left to right before spending a wad

79gmcc15 · 12-19-2009, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Switch the leaf pack left to right before spending a wad

That way when your fat arse sits down it will be going down the road level!

Pyrotechnic · 12-19-2009, 07:12 PM

Well I guess it works out then, because the high side is on the drivers side and low side is on the passenger side.

**N2TRUX** · 12-19-2009, 08:27 PM

It was probably uneven before you lowered it but you didn't notice it. That's not uncommon.

Pyrotechnic · 12-19-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

It was probably uneven before you lowered it but you didn't notice it. That's not uncommon.

Actually I think you're right. I dug up the pics of when I first brought it home and the tire to top of the wheel open gap looks larger on the drivers side.

So basically, have the drivers side spring de-arched a little so it's equal to the drivers side (i'm assuming they can measure they spring rate so that they will be equal ?), or get another set of springs and remove leafs from those ?

*2tons of fun* · 12-19-2009, 10:57 PM

i would get over it. you are going to piss money and time away battleing it.

going to get the de arched is the same as geeting them re arched, in 2months they will be shot and have sagged un evenly again.

BIG10 · 12-20-2009, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

It was probably uneven before you lowered it but you didn't notice it. That's not uncommon.

Very true, mine doesn't sit perfectly level either. The cab is level, but the bed is not. It bothered me at first

but I got over it.

**old Rusty C10** · 12-19-2009, 09:15 PM

if youre sure there is no tweak to the body or chassis then re arced springs is the way to go.

**N2TRUX** · 12-20-2009, 12:24 AM

Put shackles on it and set one lower than the other. I had to do this on my 06 Silverado CC. It was very unlevel from the factory.

KQQL IT · 12-20-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Put shackles on it and set one lower than the other. I had to do this on my 06 Silverado CC. It was very unlevel from the factory.

The car hauler may have twisted it for you when it was new. And my 73 needed all 4 springs switched around to get it level

jared87350 · 12-21-2009, 03:11 AM

I have a 87 3/4 has the same uneven leaf spring problem.you have to just buy new springs to solve it without a sand bag lol

**N2TRUX** · 12-20-2009, 01:02 PM

GM trucks have been terrible about this for many years. The later years are even worse.

The best solution is ignore it, but I couldn't do that. It bugs me that I have my shackles set at two different heights, but not near as much as looking at a truck setting uneven every time I open my garage door.

chance76 · 12-22-2009, 01:06 AM

My 76 has the 8 pak, and sits way uneven, but it was used to all a 5th wheel...Gonna lower it with new drop leafs and roll on.

3r!c84 · 12-22-2009, 01:19 AM

i have the same thing with my c10 after the drop i can notice it more but it probly was there when it was stock

12-18-2009, 07:46 PM	#1
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Leaf springs and uneven ride height My truck came with some super stiff 8 leaf spring packs. I took out the overload and one of the upper leafs that wasn't doing much awhile back. Now the truck doesn't sit level. One side turned out perfect but the other side is a touch high. I'd say about an inch off just eye balling it. What are my options for getting the springs and ride height evened out ? I've brain stormed a few things... -Get another set of 8 leaf springs and try my luck with those. -Put a lift block on the lower side (higher than I want but would be level) -Build a custom shackle for lower the high side -Pay to have the springs re-arched so they will be even (is this even a good idea and does it produce results ?) -Design and build some kind of adjustable shackles so I can do whatever I want with the ride height (would be pretty cool) Of course a custom suspension with coil springs would be the ultimate since a pair of coil springs are cheap and come in any spring rate you want. Gonna be awhile before I'll be able to pull of anything like that though. Any other idea's or advice ? __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande

12-18-2009, 08:15 PM	#2
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height a sand bag on the high side __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

12-18-2009, 09:11 PM	#4
STOCKISH Formerly- 1972SuperCheyenne Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wake Forest NC Posts: 5,782	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height Either get new springs..... Or bag it! __________________ --Josh My Build Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=799218 A good crossthread is better than Loctite any day. Life is not about what you have, but who you have to share it with.

12-19-2009, 12:55 AM	#5
slugish Slugish Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Earlysville, Va. Posts: 1,024	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height dearck the springs on the high side > best way <

12-19-2009, 01:21 AM	#6
Lo78 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: escondido,ca Posts: 94	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height i just order a 5/7 drop for my truck and i got bags also for the rear and that way if i need to i can level it out

12-19-2009, 06:04 AM	#7
KQQL IT At the body shop. Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Land of fruits and nuts. Posts: 5,237	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height Switch the leaf pack left to right before spending a wad __________________ " That didnt make it any newer " " Dont antique the equipment "

12-19-2009, 07:12 PM	#9
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height Well I guess it works out then, because the high side is on the drivers side and low side is on the passenger side. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande

12-19-2009, 08:27 PM	#10
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height It was probably uneven before you lowered it but you didn't notice it. That's not uncommon. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

12-19-2009, 10:57 PM	#12
2tons of fun Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: galt ca, Posts: 749	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height i would get over it. you are going to piss money and time away battleing it. going to get the de arched is the same as geeting them re arched, in 2months they will be shot and have sagged un evenly again.

12-19-2009, 09:15 PM	#14
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,307	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height if youre sure there is no tweak to the body or chassis then re arced springs is the way to go. __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-20-2009, 12:24 AM	#15
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height Put shackles on it and set one lower than the other. I had to do this on my 06 Silverado CC. It was very unlevel from the factory. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

12-21-2009, 03:11 AM	#17
jared87350 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: ontario, CA Posts: 86	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height I have a 87 3/4 has the same uneven leaf spring problem.you have to just buy new springs to solve it without a sand bag lol

12-20-2009, 01:02 PM	#18
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,023	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height GM trucks have been terrible about this for many years. The later years are even worse. The best solution is ignore it, but I couldn't do that. It bugs me that I have my shackles set at two different heights, but not near as much as looking at a truck setting uneven every time I open my garage door. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

12-22-2009, 01:06 AM	#19
chance76 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: yukon, ok Posts: 20	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height My 76 has the 8 pak, and sits way uneven, but it was used to all a 5th wheel...Gonna lower it with new drop leafs and roll on.

12-22-2009, 01:19 AM	#20
3r!c84 Badass Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: lox. fl Posts: 4,586	Re: Leaf springs and uneven ride height i have the same thing with my c10 after the drop i can notice it more but it probly was there when it was stock __________________ Think outside the box? -84c10 (1stcar)→My Build← -00 Saturn 5spd drop a gear and disappear! 1/4:13:90



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