Any NEW fix for an OLD problem

[Jerryrig]

I am just about done with the new lowering suspension on my 70swb...I put my bed on last night and I noticed I have the infamous CHEVY LEAN.....

I have been reading since last night that it could be due to a bunch of reasons.

And the solutions that I have read are

1. take your truck to a frame shop and have the frame straightened
2. Buy some spring spacers
3. Put a spacer above the spring in the a arm

Has anybody found a cure for this problem yet....or do you just learn to accept it like a hot girl with a stuttering problem? Hahaha!
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[Jerryrig]

Ps....I'm leaning toward doing the spacer idea if I can find a frame shop near me...
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[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Jerryrig

I am just about done with the new lowering suspension on my 70swb...I put my bed on last night and I noticed I have the infamous CHEVY LEAN.....

I have been reading since last night that it could be due to a bunch of reasons.

And the solutions that I have read are

1. take your truck to a frame shop and have the frame straightened
2. Buy some spring spacers
3. Put a spacer above the spring in the a arm

Has anybody found a cure for this problem yet....or do you just learn to accept it like a hot girl with a stuttering problem? Hahaha!
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stuttering is a problem?

[gale]

Originally Posted by Jerryrig

I am just about done with the new lowering suspension on my 70swb...I put my bed on last night and I noticed I have the infamous CHEVY LEAN.....

What you have is a simple twist in the frame.

I induced this lean on a '67 I bought new. The truck was hooked up to a gooseneck trailer so I had a fair load in the bed. Got a flat and pulled into a service station (they actually fixed flats in '67) and the "mechanic" used an air jack on the bumper, but just on the side with the flat.

With no load my truck was cockeyed so I reversed the steps and jacked up the low side. Just took a couple of tries and it was level again.

Level isn't really what you're after, you want parallel front/back or side/side.

[Jerryrig]

So your saying to jack up the truck @ the front drivers side bumper (the side that is low)????
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[gale]

No, I would do the work at the rear bumper or rear frame. Lot more room to work. Typically the bed front piece is no parallel with the tailgate. It's very easy to see standing behind the truck. There's nothing in the front to sight in on. Don't be afraid to jack one side up an absurd amount because that is how it got in the shape it's in now.

[SS Tim]

There are many factors as you said that can affect the vehicle ride and corner heights. First thing anyone should do is measure their vehicle as a baseline from the top of the wheel arch to the axle centerline. This will enable you to know the true height change reguardless of tire size changes. Then before you go tearing into a suspension inspect and consider the bushings. They will be subjected to different loads at different operating angles. The frame itself needs to be inspected as well. While a frame shop has the equipment, you can with care measure it yourself and determine how "close" it is. This data is in the factory service manual which can be downloaded from this site.
Finally measure your new spring free heights. If there is much difference consider replacing them.
Now armed with both chassis heights and spring height you can select a spring to best fit, taller spring on the low side to correct some of the effects of time and abuse.

[slow-1]

The right side of mine is an inch or two lower than the left side....I had always heard that Chevy used to install slightly heavier springs on the left to make up for vehicles being occupied by just a driver most of the time.

Any truth to that theory?

By the way, I still have the original springs under the truck with close to 300K miles on them.
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[gale]

Originally Posted by slow-1

The right side of mine is an inch or two lower than the left side....I had always heard that Chevy used to install slightly heavier springs on the left to make up for vehicles being occupied by just a driver most of the time.

Any truth to that theory?

Nope. Same part number for both.

[PanelDeland]

One of the most beautiful women I know is Crosseyed.I didn't know until I had known her for about 3 years.She's almost always wearing sunglasses.

BTW Yes it was kinda awkward until I knew.

[cdowns]

get different size rear tires to straighten it out

[Jerryrig]

Originally Posted by cdowns

get different size rear tires to straighten it out

I may have to try this....maybe a 15" rim on one side and a 24" on the other side.
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[67c10rustbuket]

If you have confirmed the suspension is within spec I would have a frame shop measure it for you if it is more than 1" off from one side to the other. I had a 95 Silverado frame straightened after a rear end accident. Cost $50 for initial setup and measure then $200 to bend the frame back and loosen the bed and correct the gap to rear of cab. It was in the shop for half a day. Easy fix
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[Jerryrig]

Have any of you guys used the belltech spacer springs? They are made for this problem....they insert above the spring on the side that is low

http://www.jegs.com/p/Bell-Tech/Bell...88996/10002/-1

Since it won't let you go to our year trucks, do the 73-87 chev trucks have the same diameter front coil springs as my 70?

I measured the truck last night, and it is sagging just in the front drivers side. I jacked the front up to where it needed to be (1 inch higher) and the whole truck sat level!!!!

So I think these will be the fix I need......
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[808_67C10]

Airbags?.. Problem solved! Lol... 2 things I can see being an issue with c10 that hasn't been hit or bent by over weight... The panhard bar could make the ass end sit heigher on one side if not adjusted correctly (especially if its dropped).. The 2nd is missalignment with the bed or front end- It is super easy put it together crooked or tweak them since everything is sitting on shims n spacers. Measure your frame from the ground to see where the problem is then start narrowing it down. If it makes you feel better, I have the gangster lean too... Mine is the panhard bar ... Got an adjustable and mount relocators.... Fixed!
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[Jerryrig]

Maybe I'll go get an alignment done..... but I don't have a pan hard bar.....my truck is a leaf spring truck. But I did just do my suspension (2.5" drop spindals, 3" drop springs in the front, homemade flip in the rear ,as well as a front disc conversion and new inner/outter tie rod with adjusting sleeve)

I'll have to measure the frame to ground gap again when I get home tonight
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[67c10rustbuket]

Originally Posted by Jerryrig

Have any of you guys used the belltech spacer springs? They are made for this problem....they insert above the spring on the side that is low

http://www.jegs.com/p/Bell-Tech/Bell...88996/10002/-1


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I need one of those for my '01 Sag-erado

Just a suggestion:
You may want to take a look and make sure your front coils are properly seated at the top inside the crossmember. It is a pretty common mistake and could throw off your height a little bit. They are a pain to get in there just right because you cant see what you are doing. I had a little trouble getting mine in just right.

[Jerryrig]

Right on! I will have to check that out when I get home also....

Thanks rustbucket!
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[slow-1]

Lots of good info here...thanks to all.

I bet mine got off kilter hauling firewood back in the day...we used to really load her down.
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