Dreaded Chevy Lean - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

79mattstang · 11-12-2014, 01:59 PM

I know this has been discussed before on this forum but I need some help figuring out why my truck sits about 1 1/4 inches higher on the passenger side rear. Where do I start measuring and investigating to try and level this thing out. I want to do an all coil 3-5 drop but am hesitant because my trucks sits so funky.

79mattstang · 11-12-2014, 02:03 PM

Pics

**steelhorse** · 11-12-2014, 02:07 PM

The first guess would be worn springs but you need to check all of your bushings also.

no1udknow · 11-12-2014, 02:16 PM

and you know you will inevitably get a comment about your cheeseburger intake ...

no1udknow · 11-12-2014, 02:19 PM

I have noticed though that it always seems to be the drivers side, is the drive wheel on the passenger side on limited slip diffs? That is the only explanation I could think of. Perhapse because there is torque applied to the right rear wheel, coupled with the rotational torque of the engine. But I have always noticed it is the right rear that is higher...strange

79mattstang · 11-12-2014, 02:26 PM

forgot to mention the PO installed 4 new stock coils and that didnt help.

jhwkns · 11-12-2014, 04:40 PM

Take it to a frame shop. I recommend that to anyone with one of these old trucks. There's no telling how many times it's been grossly overloaded through the years, how many curbs it's smacked, or someone played 'Dukes of Hazzard.

cayce_brunswick- · 11-12-2014, 04:43 PM

Make sure the springs are seated correctly. When they are installed it dosent take much to get them off a little.

Augi · 11-12-2014, 04:51 PM

Mine is on the original springs and sits much farther off than that. You also have to account for the roads, the center is higher than the outside (at least in Tennessee) so most vehicles lean like that after some miles.

C/10 King · 11-12-2014, 05:08 PM

My black truck does the same thing only on the other side, so when I drive it I hope it looks straight.

mechanicalman · 11-12-2014, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no1udknow

I have noticed though that it always seems to be the drivers side, is the drive wheel on the passenger side on limited slip diffs? That is the only explanation I could think of. Perhapse because there is torque applied to the right rear wheel, coupled with the rotational torque of the engine. But I have always noticed it is the right rear that is higher...strange

On RWD cars with clockwise rotation engines, regardless limited slip or open diff, the R (passenger side) rear wheel will lose traction first due to more weight being put on the L(driver's side) rear wheel.

The driveshaft pushes against the pinion gear, ring gear, and pushes the L rear wheel against the ground. If you think in terms of what's happening on the engine cradle, the torque is pushing the cradle counter-clockwise. Then, looking down the frame rails, would it not twist the frame clockwise? It's not getting twisted from the rear, it's getting twisted from the front.

The engine cradle has nothing to get twisted out of shape, so the extension of the frame rails towards the rear get leveraged out of shape and hence the raising of the passenger side frame rail in the back.

The engine cradle may suffer from some spring compression that would account for front driver's side sag.

OK I'm throwing this out there! LOL

**leddzepp** · 11-12-2014, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhwkns

Take it to a frame shop. I recommend that to anyone with one of these old trucks. There's no telling how many times it's been grossly overloaded through the years, how many curbs it's smacked, or someone played 'Dukes of Hazzard.

This.

71meangreenc10 · 11-12-2014, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

This.

X2.....

Same issue for me, found the frame was bent....

Smitty

TrkEnvy · 11-12-2014, 09:10 PM

Check the ball joints and bushings in the driver side a arm. My old dodge Cummins pickup had this going on and the bushings where the a arm attached to the frame were non existent.

tsetsaf · 11-12-2014, 11:26 PM

My truck is stock height with full auto level air ride. For ride height measured from top of tread to bottom of fender no two sides are equal air pressure... for what it is worth.

**davischevy** · 11-13-2014, 12:53 AM

Simply switch the springs from side to side. If the lean switches, new springs are in order.

My dad bought a new 1969, and they replaced the springs under warranty. It didn't come that way but got progressively worse over the first year or so to the point the dealer changed them.

79mattstang · 11-13-2014, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the input guys. Ill do some checking around and prob take it to a frame shop.

11-12-2014, 01:59 PM	#1
79mattstang Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Centerville Posts: 10	Dreaded Chevy Lean I know this has been discussed before on this forum but I need some help figuring out why my truck sits about 1 1/4 inches higher on the passenger side rear. Where do I start measuring and investigating to try and level this thing out. I want to do an all coil 3-5 drop but am hesitant because my trucks sits so funky.

11-12-2014, 02:03 PM	#2
79mattstang Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Centerville Posts: 10	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean Pics Attached Images

11-12-2014, 02:07 PM	#3
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean The first guess would be worn springs but you need to check all of your bushings also.

11-12-2014, 02:16 PM	#4
no1udknow Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Sacramento,California Posts: 696	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean and you know you will inevitably get a comment about your cheeseburger intake ... __________________ Built not bought! My dad always tried to convince me HEI was pointless! Welding is a lot like sex, you don't have to be great with the rod as long as you thoroughly prep the surface and your good at grinding My build : 68 C10 Short Bed Conversion

11-12-2014, 02:19 PM	#5
no1udknow Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Sacramento,California Posts: 696	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean I have noticed though that it always seems to be the drivers side, is the drive wheel on the passenger side on limited slip diffs? That is the only explanation I could think of. Perhapse because there is torque applied to the right rear wheel, coupled with the rotational torque of the engine. But I have always noticed it is the right rear that is higher...strange __________________ Built not bought! My dad always tried to convince me HEI was pointless! Welding is a lot like sex, you don't have to be great with the rod as long as you thoroughly prep the surface and your good at grinding My build : 68 C10 Short Bed Conversion

11-12-2014, 02:26 PM	#6
79mattstang Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Centerville Posts: 10	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean forgot to mention the PO installed 4 new stock coils and that didnt help.

11-12-2014, 04:40 PM	#7
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean Take it to a frame shop. I recommend that to anyone with one of these old trucks. There's no telling how many times it's been grossly overloaded through the years, how many curbs it's smacked, or someone played 'Dukes of Hazzard. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

11-12-2014, 04:43 PM	#8
cayce_brunswick- Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: paducah Ky Posts: 46	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean Make sure the springs are seated correctly. When they are installed it dosent take much to get them off a little.

11-12-2014, 04:51 PM	#9
Augi Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Smyrna, TN Posts: 32	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean Mine is on the original springs and sits much farther off than that. You also have to account for the roads, the center is higher than the outside (at least in Tennessee) so most vehicles lean like that after some miles. __________________ We all share a common fear in our lives. The fear that when we pass along to our next lives that our wives sell our trucks for what we said we have in them. 71-Johnny Cash Special Cheyenne, Safety Blue 350-TH350, quadrajet

11-12-2014, 05:08 PM	#10
C/10 King Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: A****er, CA Posts: 5,594	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean My black truck does the same thing only on the other side, so when I drive it I hope it looks straight. __________________ C/10 Rene 1966 Short Fleet "The Hag" 1967 CST Short Fleet "Dark Poly" 1971 Short Fleet 1970 Jimmy Custom 2 WD "Golden Ticket" 1972 Blazer 2 WD "Retro Blaze"

11-12-2014, 09:10 PM	#14
TrkEnvy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 264	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean Check the ball joints and bushings in the driver side a arm. My old dodge Cummins pickup had this going on and the bushings where the a arm attached to the frame were non existent. __________________ 1971 C10 - LWB shortened to SWB, welded in my C notch, reinforced trailing arms with 3/16 plate, new cpp 5" rear drop springs, 2" drop blocks, ece super panhard kit. Cpp drop spindles, 2 inch front springs, 5.3/4L80E I call it Bruce Banner..

11-12-2014, 11:26 PM	#15
tsetsaf Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Southern CA Posts: 210	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean My truck is stock height with full auto level air ride. For ride height measured from top of tread to bottom of fender no two sides are equal air pressure... for what it is worth. __________________ 71 C-20 Custom Camper California Truck

11-13-2014, 12:53 AM	#16
davischevy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Harrison, Arkansas Posts: 9,863	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean Simply switch the springs from side to side. If the lean switches, new springs are in order. My dad bought a new 1969, and they replaced the springs under warranty. It didn't come that way but got progressively worse over the first year or so to the point the dealer changed them. __________________ other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

11-13-2014, 11:13 AM	#17
79mattstang Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Centerville Posts: 10	Re: Dreaded Chevy Lean Thanks for the input guys. Ill do some checking around and prob take it to a frame shop.



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