if your truck sat un even after you lowered it......... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

low 84 · 03-05-2003, 02:30 AM

this is from sporttruckdirects website. thought some of you might be interested since alot of people have this problem.

"Question #3: What if my truck seems uneven side-to-side after I drop it?

Answer: First, remember that even brand new trucks on the dealer lot are not perfectly level. Measure them and you'll see. Secondly, consider that an uneven truck is not nearly as noticeable until you lower it and bring the down the wheelwell gap. That being said, there are things you can do to try to moderate this effect;

A. Make sure that your front coil springs are properly seated with the end of the coil butting up and inserted into the indentation in the bottom of the lower a-arm.

B. In the event your rear leaf spring mounting bolts were im-properly tightened (or over-tightened) while the truck was still in the air, loosen the leaf spring mounting bolts at the front hangers and rear shackles, then, while the truck is on the ground...flip down the tailgate and use your weight to jump up and down on it to release any uneven torque in either of the leafs before re-tightening the leaf spring mounting bolts while the truck is on the ground.

C. If nothing else works, and you're still bothered by the look, the last resort is to swap your front coils or rear leafs left-to-right. Remember, coils and leafs have a design tolerance of up to +/- 3/8", so while it is rare, they could cause one side of the truck to go 3/8" higher and the other side 3/8" lower in the course of being dropped, for a total of 3/4" off side-to-side. This, combined with a truck that was a little off from the factory, could result in as much as 1.5" variance side-to-side. Swapping the springs left-to-right will usually even up the tolerances enough to correct the condition visually."

AirMale · 03-05-2003, 07:39 AM

Good post: my truck is an inch higher on the passenger side. I'm gonna be installing 1 1/2 W.C. drop springs soon so I hope to correct this problem.

Bigtyme · 03-10-2003, 07:56 PM

Has anyone given thought to maybe worn body mounts...........

My 5" front drop resulted in the right side being 1/2'' lower than the left...I also noticed that on the side that's lower the bodyline
on the cab is lower than the bodyline on the bed........Just a thought.

Martin

navybear70 · 03-12-2003, 02:07 AM

My rearend at the tailgate is level, but at the bed- to-cab junction the right side is higher than the left.

LOHRTBT · 03-12-2003, 01:45 PM

This is a good post Low one.

Bigtyme · 03-12-2003, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by navybear70
My rearend at the tailgate is level, but at the bed- to-cab junction the right side is higher than the left.

Sounds Like you have the same problem as me.

Tom · 03-12-2003, 03:07 PM

awsome post! My left rear is higher then my right side on the bed. Tightening the bolts must be why!

navybear70 · 03-12-2003, 09:37 PM

Yes Bigtyme, that looks like what I described, but actually, the whole truck (bed and cab) are higher on the right side. The lines match up pretty decently. Possible frame damage?

The front of the truck is level too. Its only off at the bed/cab juncture. Wierd huh?

03-05-2003, 02:30 AM	#1
low 84 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,144	if your truck sat un even after you lowered it......... this is from sporttruckdirects website. thought some of you might be interested since alot of people have this problem. "Question #3: What if my truck seems uneven side-to-side after I drop it? Answer: First, remember that even brand new trucks on the dealer lot are not perfectly level. Measure them and you'll see. Secondly, consider that an uneven truck is not nearly as noticeable until you lower it and bring the down the wheelwell gap. That being said, there are things you can do to try to moderate this effect; A. Make sure that your front coil springs are properly seated with the end of the coil butting up and inserted into the indentation in the bottom of the lower a-arm. B. In the event your rear leaf spring mounting bolts were im-properly tightened (or over-tightened) while the truck was still in the air, loosen the leaf spring mounting bolts at the front hangers and rear shackles, then, while the truck is on the ground...flip down the tailgate and use your weight to jump up and down on it to release any uneven torque in either of the leafs before re-tightening the leaf spring mounting bolts while the truck is on the ground. C. If nothing else works, and you're still bothered by the look, the last resort is to swap your front coils or rear leafs left-to-right. Remember, coils and leafs have a design tolerance of up to +/- 3/8", so while it is rare, they could cause one side of the truck to go 3/8" higher and the other side 3/8" lower in the course of being dropped, for a total of 3/4" off side-to-side. This, combined with a truck that was a little off from the factory, could result in as much as 1.5" variance side-to-side. Swapping the springs left-to-right will usually even up the tolerances enough to correct the condition visually." __________________ '51 F100, backhalf with a narrowed 9 and coil overs, 18.5" mickeys, monte front clip, +400" sbc in the works '05 1500 Crew Cab RIP '84 swb 5/7 drop, solid cammed 408 w/ fully ported dart heads, th350 w/ 10 inch hughes, 12 bolt w/ 3.73 richmonds and a locker '80 swb 4x4 in progress: 7" lift, 350 th350/np205, d44 and 1.5" ORD tie rod, 14BFF w/discs , armored diff covers, 40" MTR's

03-05-2003, 07:39 AM	#2
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	Good post: my truck is an inch higher on the passenger side. I'm gonna be installing 1 1/2 W.C. drop springs soon so I hope to correct this problem. __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

03-12-2003, 02:07 AM	#4
navybear70 hometown heroes! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ewa Beach, HI Posts: 487	My rearend at the tailgate is level, but at the bed- to-cab junction the right side is higher than the left. __________________ 2009 Silverado 2wd, 121k as of 04APR13. I love my truck 29 days out of the month. The payment is due on the 30th... Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less. -Robert E. Lee "Never give up ground you've already taken." -Unknown

03-12-2003, 01:45 PM	#5
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	This is a good post Low one. __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

03-12-2003, 03:07 PM	#7
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	awsome post! My left rear is higher then my right side on the bed. Tightening the bolts must be why! __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

03-10-2003, 07:56 PM	#3
Bigtyme Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 8	Has anyone given thought to maybe worn body mounts........... My 5" front drop resulted in the right side being 1/2'' lower than the left...I also noticed that on the side that's lower the bodyline on the cab is lower than the bodyline on the bed........Just a thought. Martin

03-12-2003, 09:37 PM	#8
navybear70 hometown heroes! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ewa Beach, HI Posts: 487	Yes Bigtyme, that looks like what I described, but actually, the whole truck (bed and cab) are higher on the right side. The lines match up pretty decently. Possible frame damage? The front of the truck is level too. Its only off at the bed/cab juncture. Wierd huh? __________________ 2009 Silverado 2wd, 121k as of 04APR13. I love my truck 29 days out of the month. The payment is due on the 30th... Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, you should never wish to do less. -Robert E. Lee "Never give up ground you've already taken." -Unknown



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