truck is leaning - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Ackattack · 03-28-2003, 12:44 AM

I was wondering if you'll could help me out.

I lowered my truck in the rear by removing a 2 leafs. I then measured and 1 side is about an inch higher than the other side. Anyone have a suggestion as to how to fix this?

HotRod929 · 03-28-2003, 12:52 AM

Im not sure what could cause the leaning but I know that in my truck because it has a saddle tank on one side the previous owner put more springs in the spring pack than on the other side so that the truck would not lean with a full tank on that side. Just curious but how much of a drop did you get by removing 2 leafs from the rear? I am thinking about going this way with my C20. Thanks.

HotROd

Ackattack · 03-28-2003, 01:37 PM

It dropped it about 4 inches "I think"

I replaced the original springs a few years ago cause one of them broke. I took out 1 spring then (I think they may have been 3/4 ton springs). Then I took out another one when I lowered the front. The top of the wheel opening is at 28 and 29" off the ground with 295/50/15s (so I have about 2-3" of gap right now between the tire and the top of the opening)

I did get new u-bolts and some shims to do it, so it was pretty dang cheap lowering job.

XXL · 03-28-2003, 01:40 PM

Almost all trucks are off from side to side (some left, some right lower), and from front to back. But you don't usually notice it until it gets closer to the ground. The easiest way to address this is simply to shim one side.

Check the front corners as well. They're probably off too.

Kenneth

HotRod929 · 03-28-2003, 01:46 PM

Ackattack - Which two springs did you remove? Im gonna do this soon and I was just wondering if there are and two that i shoudl tak out first. Thanks

HotRod

Alexis · 03-28-2003, 02:08 PM

did you ever unbolt the hanger or removed the shackle? some leaf springs are a directional leaf spring......so you might have put one in back-wards. how are your body bushings? how is your alighment up front? are the front tire sizes the same?rear? Are your front ball joints in right? make there can be a few more thing that can effect it....... but these are some thign you might want to look into or put some thought into it. Are the front springs in proper place?

Longhorn Man · 03-28-2003, 03:35 PM

This may sound stupid, but is the floor/driveway flat?
I mentioned this a year ago or so and the person asking the question looked and found his garage floor was not level. Once he moved his truck it was all good.
I am not trying to insult you.

theo70 · 03-28-2003, 04:50 PM

I'm looking to go this route also, rather than spend $300-400 on some dropped leaves. Any details you can give is appreciated.

special70gmc · 03-28-2003, 06:32 PM

ive done it but it only droped my c20 right around 3 inches give or take a quarter inch. took me about 4 hours of work and oerall i was pleased didnt even have to bleed the brakes. hose was long enough thankfully -kyle link to pics ---- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=34354

Ackattack · 03-31-2003, 02:20 PM

I checked the front too, and there was about a 1/4" difference there, I figure it is caused by the rear too.

Yes, the driveway is flat. And the tires were straight. I'll have to check to see that I didn't flip one of the springs around...that might be it.

I removed two of the middle ones. I originally removed one of the smaller middle ones, and that didn't drop it enough, so I removed one that was a little larger. (In addition to the other one that was already out).

Make sure you check your pinion angles when you do this. Wearing out u-joints and loosing your driveshaft on the side of the road isn't real fun

03-28-2003, 12:44 AM	#1
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	truck is leaning I was wondering if you'll could help me out. I lowered my truck in the rear by removing a 2 leafs. I then measured and 1 side is about an inch higher than the other side. Anyone have a suggestion as to how to fix this? __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

03-28-2003, 12:52 AM	#2
HotRod929 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school Posts: 767	Im not sure what could cause the leaning but I know that in my truck because it has a saddle tank on one side the previous owner put more springs in the spring pack than on the other side so that the truck would not lean with a full tank on that side. Just curious but how much of a drop did you get by removing 2 leafs from the rear? I am thinking about going this way with my C20. Thanks. HotROd __________________ 1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/

03-28-2003, 01:37 PM	#3
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	It dropped it about 4 inches "I think" I replaced the original springs a few years ago cause one of them broke. I took out 1 spring then (I think they may have been 3/4 ton springs). Then I took out another one when I lowered the front. The top of the wheel opening is at 28 and 29" off the ground with 295/50/15s (so I have about 2-3" of gap right now between the tire and the top of the opening) I did get new u-bolts and some shims to do it, so it was pretty dang cheap lowering job. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

03-28-2003, 01:40 PM	#4
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	Almost all trucks are off from side to side (some left, some right lower), and from front to back. But you don't usually notice it until it gets closer to the ground. The easiest way to address this is simply to shim one side. Check the front corners as well. They're probably off too. Kenneth __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

03-28-2003, 01:46 PM	#5
HotRod929 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bondurant, IA but in Worcester, MA for school Posts: 767	Ackattack - Which two springs did you remove? Im gonna do this soon and I was just wondering if there are and two that i shoudl tak out first. Thanks HotRod __________________ 1970 Chevy C-20 350 V-8 Turbo 350 w/ shift kit Dana 60 w/ 4.10 gears AND Powr-Loc POSI New Additions: Summit Headers 135amp alternator Proform HEI Edelbrock 1406 600cfm carb Sunpro Tach Powr-Loc POSI Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake MSD 6A Ignition Box AIM: HotRod929 Visit My Site: http://1970chevy.netfirms.com/

03-28-2003, 02:08 PM	#6
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,874	did you ever unbolt the hanger or removed the shackle? some leaf springs are a directional leaf spring......so you might have put one in back-wards. how are your body bushings? how is your alighment up front? are the front tire sizes the same?rear? Are your front ball joints in right? make there can be a few more thing that can effect it....... but these are some thign you might want to look into or put some thought into it. Are the front springs in proper place?

03-28-2003, 03:35 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	This may sound stupid, but is the floor/driveway flat? I mentioned this a year ago or so and the person asking the question looked and found his garage floor was not level. Once he moved his truck it was all good. I am not trying to insult you.

03-28-2003, 04:50 PM	#8
theo70 COMING SOON... Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ft Worth TX Posts: 406	I'm looking to go this route also, rather than spend $300-400 on some dropped leaves. Any details you can give is appreciated.

03-28-2003, 06:32 PM	#9
special70gmc Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: long island, new york Posts: 1,333	ive done it but it only droped my c20 right around 3 inches give or take a quarter inch. took me about 4 hours of work and oerall i was pleased didnt even have to bleed the brakes. hose was long enough thankfully -kyle link to pics ---- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=34354 __________________ 1986 c-10 swb 5/7 drop 20'' coys 1958 belair 2door

03-31-2003, 02:20 PM	#10
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	I checked the front too, and there was about a 1/4" difference there, I figure it is caused by the rear too. Yes, the driveway is flat. And the tires were straight. I'll have to check to see that I didn't flip one of the springs around...that might be it. I removed two of the middle ones. I originally removed one of the smaller middle ones, and that didn't drop it enough, so I removed one that was a little larger. (In addition to the other one that was already out). Make sure you check your pinion angles when you do this. Wearing out u-joints and loosing your driveshaft on the side of the road isn't real fun __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index



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