Front coil spring question

[Jim Boy]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Ah, the infamous 'Chevy Lean'

Opinions will differ I'm sure, but after dropping as many of these trucks as I have, from 67-87. Even the S10s..

GM apparently built these trucks lower on the drivers side than on the passenger side. Was the isolator in one side, but not the other? If so, I'm betting it was in the drivers side?

If it had isolators on both sides then I'm off base.. but drivers side only imo would be a spacer to adjust the Chevy Lean.

It's hard to see on a stock height truck. But, with a big static drop you'll usually see the drivers side sits about 3/4" - 1" lower than the passenger side.

I don't know how true it is but I've read GM built the trucks this way to accommodate the difference in the crown of the road. So the trucks feel like they sit level, vs leaning toward the passenger side as you drive them.

Weird.. but I use a 3/4" Belltech spacer on the drivers side of almost every truck, S10, Blazer, etc I build. Just my .02

CC69 Rat-- I've been pulling my hair out over the slant in the truck when viewed from the rear. I have replaced almost everything front and back that could affect the tilt but to no avail. This is the first post that confirms that a tilt is there. My question is:: where did you read that GM built the trucks with this configuration built in to compensate for road crown. It's the little things that drive you nuts and makes you lose sleep. Have a good day and be good. Santa is almost packed.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Jim Boy

CC69 Rat-- I've been pulling my hair out over the slant in the truck when viewed from the rear. I have replaced almost everything front and back that could affect the tilt but to no avail. This is the first post that confirms that a tilt is there. My question is:: where did you read that GM built the trucks with this configuration built in to compensate for road crown. It's the little things that drive you nuts and makes you lose sleep. Have a good day and be good. Santa is almost packed.

My guess is something is bent if you replaced the upper and lower control arms front and rear (or springs) then it’s the frame usually it will be front rail. I’ve never seen any reference to a factory lean in any vehicle . And I was factory trained for 5 weeks by Car-o-liner when my uncle bought one in the mid 80s . I must have done at least 3 hundred cars and trucks before I left the industry. He had the only frame in a very large radius for years as it was a big investment,so we did work for other shops .

[BAD1916]

I would think of anything you would compensate for the weight of the driver and have it sit slightly higher. Ford did this with early Thunderbirds. There is a steel spacer above the spring on the driver side so the car rides levelish.

[Jim Boy]

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

My guess is something is bent if you replaced the upper and lower control arms front and rear (or springs) then it’s the frame usually it will be front rail. I’ve never seen any reference to a factory lean in any vehicle . And I was factory trained for 5 weeks by Car-o-liner when my uncle bought one in the mid 80s . I must have done at least 3 hundred cars and trucks before I left the industry. He had the only frame in a very large radius for years as it was a big investment, so we did work for other shops .

Mark you are probably correct on something being bent. The more I really think about it, it doesn't make sense. There are all kinds of crowns in different places, so where would GM draw the line. If I keep playing around with it, I'll be hitting the end wall of life and will be sure to leave instructions. Thanks for the reply. Ron.

[novaX522]

Originally Posted by Jim Boy

Mark you are probably correct on something being bent. The more I really think about it, it doesn't make sense. There are all kinds of crowns in different places, so where would GM draw the line. If I keep playing around with it, I'll be hitting the end wall of life and will be sure to leave instructions. Thanks for the reply. Ron.

Hey Ron, if your frame is tweaked, there are places that can fix that. I replaced the frame in my elCamino last winter. I found the replacement frame was tweaked. I took it to a friend with a body shop. He was able to get it back where it belongs with floor anchors, chains and a big bottle jack. Now it runs 10s in the 1/4 mile and straight as an arrow.

[Jim Boy]

novaX522
I think you have a point there about getting the frame at least checked. Now the problem is finding a place that knows what they are doing. With so many unibodies out there and truck owners that couldn't care less if something isn't right as long as it gets from A to B, qualified workers are becoming a rarity these days. It's hard to talk to a lamp post eh. On to the Todo list it goes and will be top of the list 2024. Have a good holiday stay safe.

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by Jim Boy

CC69 Rat-- I've been pulling my hair out over the slant in the truck when viewed from the rear. I have replaced almost everything front and back that could affect the tilt but to no avail. This is the first post that confirms that a tilt is there. My question is:: where did you read that GM built the trucks with this configuration built in to compensate for road crown. It's the little things that drive you nuts and makes you lose sleep. Have a good day and be good. Santa is almost packed.

If you research "Chevy Lean" on Google, probably on YouTube too. It is a known issue with the 63-87 C series, OBS, S10s, etc. Belltech makes a spacer to correct it.

The truck will sit lower on the drivers front, and higher on the passenger rear. If you put the spacer in the drivers front it will offset it.

I thought this might be the issue with the OP question, but he said his had the spacers in both sides. Someone probably added them at some point.. who knows.

Good luck with getting it worked out.