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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Weatherford,Tx
Posts: 747
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My son's pickup is low on the passenger side. He has had it about a year and we made atrip to Arkansas a while back and he followed us and we followed him. We noticed that the passenger side of the truck is leaning. We measured from the ground to the highest point on the fender openings and it is about an 1 1/2 lower on the passenger side. He installed new 3/4 ton springs under it and it is still low on the passenger side. We haven't gotten under it and done any measurements yet. Any ideas on what this could be? The bed and the cab are both that way. Thanks.
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#2 |
Stepsides RULE
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 1,921
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How old are the shocks? Ol Red has a "gangsta lean" b/c worn out shocks. If shocks are good, the shock or spring mounts could be worn; they aren't too expensive IDT so ya might change that stuff too. Just throwin thoughts out there, hope they help.
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1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Weatherford,Tx
Posts: 747
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Hadn't thought of that. They might be the original ones. I wouldn't think they would both wear on the same side like that would they? I always thought that the shocks carried no load except while it is moving up and down.
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#4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 2,316
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My '86 1/2T 4x4 Diesel is the same way. I just put new shocks all the way around (front quads). Still leans.
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2009 Honda Fit CfC (bsf 44.9 mpg) 2000 Tahoe Limited 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 2wd, will end up swb, not dually and replace CCswb below 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 4x4, just going to fix things up for now 1982/1989 K5/GMC Jimmy 2wd 1987 GMC 1/2 ton swb 2wd Crew (sold) |
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#5 |
You get what you pay for
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Cherryville, NC
Posts: 4,798
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If it was just the cab leaning, I would say it has worn out cab mount bushings. Still probably has but the bed is mounted solid to the frame and it shouldn't be leaning, unless you have a warped frame or something.
It's very possible you have worn leaf springs or maybe a broken leaf. Make sure all the tires are the same size and properly inflated also.
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Mike 1985 Chevy C-10 |
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#6 | |
Insert Witty Text Here
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 3,415
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Quote:
![]() Also, normal shocks don't bear the weight of the truck. The excepton is that gas shocks are under pressure, and can raise a vehicle a very slight amount. They would not cause it to sit 1.5 inches higher on one side. Air shocks are a different story, but they should be plumbed so that they have equal pressure and lift on both sides. I did once break a shock mount on a car with air shocks. That gave it a pronounced lean. You probably would have noticed it if that was the problem. I tend to agree with Swervin. I would check for broken leaves (leafs?) in the back. If that isn't it, check for frame damage. Slonaker |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Edmond, OK
Posts: 5,906
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is the truck equiped with a passenger side tank? maybe the truck is loaded to one side? i use my drivers tank, i sit on the drivers side (obviously), i have my town chains and such stowed on the drivers side. i use to have my tool box on the drivers side as well but moved it to the passenger side to help level it out.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Midwest City, OK
Posts: 1,001
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Is it low in the front or back? My truck has a low bed on the passenger side due to a cracked leaf spring.
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Robert Current: 1986 SWB Silverado 4.3 / TH400 Past: 1985 SWB Silverado 305 / TH350 - sold 1995 1987 1/2 ton Silverado - FI 350 / 700R4 sold 2007 |
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#9 | |
Stepsides RULE
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 1,921
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Quote:
Also, remember, the weight of a person IS putting a load on the shocks, albeit only 150-210 pounds. And every bump that causes shock motion will add strain to the chocks. Just throwin some speculation out there for ya.
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1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Weatherford,Tx
Posts: 747
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Thanks for the ideas. It leans when the driver is in or not in. The fuel tank is on the passenger side but I think he hardly keeps enough gas in it to matter. I was thinking about getting underneath it and making some measurments from where the rear leaf springs bolt to the frame and go from there.
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#11 |
ROCKET POWER!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Finland, Europe
Posts: 509
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Let's get this "worn shocks cause a vehicle to sag" out of our system? Please. Because it's ridiculous.
I have replaced dozens, nay probably close to a hundred or more shock absorbers during my career and with the exception of externally pressurized compressed air shocks meant to carry weight, not a single one made any visible difference in vehicle ride height. It's a fact gas shocks have a tendency of pushing the piston outwards when not suspended in a vehicle. They can be compressed with little effort with a single hand. How many of you can lift your own body with a single hand? I can't. How much does your car or truck sag when you hop in? One inch? Two inches? Think about it.
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What did i do last nite? I had a wonderful time, That's what they tell me What did i do last nite? 1979 C-10 shortfleet: Olds 350, Th400, 12 bolt Current project: 1969 Olds 455 W-30, needing a rebuild |
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#12 |
Stepsides RULE
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 1,921
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oki. excuse me. sorry for throwing out suggestions and trying to help in my pathetic way. from now on ill keep my big mouth shut and keep the obvious little knowledge i have to myself and let the obsessed know it alls answer questions. better to be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt, right?
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1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord |
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#13 |
Catchy title goes here..
![]() Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Rockwell, NC
Posts: 39,742
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#14 |
He's got mean nasty FANGS!
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Rockwell, NC
Posts: 6,509
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One thing to check is the front and rear springs, also measure tire size, check inflation, make sure it has matching shocks (a mis matched set of shocks that one doesnt extend as far as the other, or one that is bent/bound up can cause a vehicle to lean), look for any obvious frame damage etc. if all else fails if you can shim the lean out a little bit...
And Please keep it on topic, don't try to argue etc. it doesnt get anyone any answers......
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2004 K2500 Burb 1999 C3500 1985 Cutlass Supreme 1969 C-10 1967 C-10 Panel josh@67-72chevytrucks.com |
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#15 |
huh?
![]() Join Date: May 2000
Location: Washington, Illinois
Posts: 5,692
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Definitely check for a bent/bound up shock, as well as the springs. My truck had a lean to it...because of a bent shock (my fault
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Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Weatherford,Tx
Posts: 747
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We installed brand new 3/4 ton springs under the front. We didn't notice if it was leaning before we installed them. It is leaning in the front and back according to the measurements from one side to the other.
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#17 |
ROCKET POWER!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Finland, Europe
Posts: 509
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Cliffsta, sorry if i made i sound like i was referring to you personally. I wasn't. I just wanted to make it clear that worn out shocks don't affect ride height unless, like Josh pointed out, a shock is bent.
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What did i do last nite? I had a wonderful time, That's what they tell me What did i do last nite? 1979 C-10 shortfleet: Olds 350, Th400, 12 bolt Current project: 1969 Olds 455 W-30, needing a rebuild |
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#18 |
Right turn Clyde
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 2,911
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Did the coil springs get installed correctly into the lower a-arm? There is a small indented spot for the bottom of the coil spring to rest in. When I went to replace mine with the hd coils one side was about 1/4-1/2 taller than the other side. I know you said it was front to back but it might be a combination of the front and rear.
It helps to measure from the center of the wheel to the edge of the fender lip or bedside. It helps to eliminate different tire wear (lower air pressure from tire to tire) and stuff like odd angles like uneven pavement where it is sitting.
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1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI Last edited by MylilBowTie; 10-26-2004 at 08:29 PM. |
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#19 |
Tonawanda 454
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Liquid Sunshine State
Posts: 2,755
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my 76 C1500 has leaned (passenger side lower) since i got it (2 years now) and everything checks out ok.. the tank is on the passenger side (low side) and stays over 1/2 full most of the time and thats the only thing i could think of that might cause that.. previous owners keeping it full most of the time and it just has a natural lean from the gas weight.. this can be a culprit especially with 20-30 years of use liek this.. i would think shock bushings, leaf springs or just a combination of everything on that side from the weight on it for all these years. Might be time for a complete workup of all suspension related items including sway bars, etc...
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91 Chevy Suburban Tonawanda 454 R2500 - SOLD!!! ![]() 04 Dodge Durango 5.7L Hemi 2WD, 24K miles (as of July 2011) In the past 30 years about 90% of Fords are still on the road, the other 10% made it home. ------------------- |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ashland oh
Posts: 660
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lean
had just about same problem when i tore 76 down,,found main bottom leaf broke in half,also 3rd leaf from bottom was same way,,although truck hasn't been put back together yet,i personally think that along with worn cab mount's may be my problem,,hope that helps,, p.s. the leaf's were broken right above the axle...
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#21 |
Stepsides RULE
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Pineville, LA
Posts: 1,921
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yeah i get made fun of for my "gangsta lean". i really outta work on that after i finish my little bit of motor work.
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1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: houston, texas
Posts: 1,974
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worn out springs
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2008 Silverado Z71 RCSB 1991 GMC Jimmy 4x4 1976 GMC Sierra C15 SWB |
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