2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**rustytruck50** · 09-16-2020, 09:29 PM

My Sierra has the much discussed LH lean that I want to correct. I also want to lower the truck. What would happen if I just put new drop coils in? Would this correct the lean or just lower the lean?

**lolife99** · 09-16-2020, 10:35 PM

The lean will still be there.
I either trim the “high side” or add a Belltech spring spacer under the “low side” front spring.

**rustytruck50** · 09-16-2020, 11:11 PM

Thanks Keith....I thought a bit about trimming the higher side. What would be a reasonable amount to cut off? Half coil at a time? Is the reason it would still lean because of the rear spring pulling it down?

**lolife99** · 09-17-2020, 12:47 AM

I’m not sure what causes the lean. Fuel tank on one side? I don’t known
Be conservative on your cutting and sneak up on it.
1/2 COIL = 1” of drop.

**Palf70Step** · 09-17-2020, 07:20 AM

Since I had a small floor jack, some chains and tools in my truck under the tonneau cover I made a little box to hold it on to the passenger side of the bed near tailgate and it leveled my truck out.

I have heard so many stories why there is lean like the gas tank & driver weight. I do know on my 02, the spacers they added from factory for quietness and the lean, deteriorated and made the lean worse.

A friend of mine swapped his leaf springs around when he lowered his and it seemed to help get rid of it. Personally, I think the leafs are more of the issue that the front coils, but the front coils are easier for most folks to tinker with..

**rustytruck50** · 09-17-2020, 07:23 AM

Pretty sure its the tank. My thought was that maybe since the springs on that side have both sagged a bit that if something was done first, the softer rear spring was the cause of it still leaning. I agree with the conservative approach...made that mistake years ago on a '83 Cutlass...thought I knew what was what & could not have been more incorrect :eyeroll:...thank goodness for the internet!

**rustytruck50** · 09-17-2020, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Since I had a small floor jack, some chains and tools in my truck under the tonneau cover I made a little box to hold it on to the passenger side of the bed near tailgate and it leveled my truck out.

I have heard so many stories why there is lean like the gas tank & driver weight. I do know on my 02, the spacers they added from factory for quietness and the lean, deteriorated and made the lean worse.

A friend of mine swapped his leaf springs around when he lowered his and it seemed to help get rid of it. Personally, I think the leafs are more of the issue that the front coils, but the front coils are easier for most folks to tinker with..

I watched a really good video on YouTube on a green '02 Sierra and he swapped the leaf packs & said it did the trick. Are the spacers you mentioned, on the lower arms? I guess I thought those were just insulators...might check & see if I can find a replacement. I'll hafta click a couple of pics of my goofy looking caster issues I'm hoping to iron out during this fix.Thanks for the info!

**Palf70Step** · 09-18-2020, 06:03 AM

I think they (at least mine were) on the top of the spring. They may have both, but the drivers side top is what deteriorated on my 02.

**hatzie** · 09-18-2020, 08:14 AM

A good spring shop can re-arch leaf springs.
Swapping LH & RH springs is fairly easy as well.

**rustytruck50** · 10-03-2020, 11:56 AM

I think I'll give the springs a swap and see what happens....I did get a new spring insulator off of ebay the other day...thanks for the insights & I'll make sure to keep you updated

09-16-2020, 09:29 PM	#1
rustytruck50 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Papillion, Ne Posts: 897	2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering My Sierra has the much discussed LH lean that I want to correct. I also want to lower the truck. What would happen if I just put new drop coils in? Would this correct the lean or just lower the lean? __________________ -Doug '05 RCSB Sierra 2WD '71 Sierra 2WD Longbed '98 Silverado K1500 Xcab...sold '72 Highlander"Raymond"...sold

09-16-2020, 10:35 PM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,701	Re: 2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering The lean will still be there. I either trim the “high side” or add a Belltech spring spacer under the “low side” front spring. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

09-16-2020, 11:11 PM	#3
rustytruck50 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Papillion, Ne Posts: 897	Re: 2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering Thanks Keith....I thought a bit about trimming the higher side. What would be a reasonable amount to cut off? Half coil at a time? Is the reason it would still lean because of the rear spring pulling it down? __________________ -Doug '05 RCSB Sierra 2WD '71 Sierra 2WD Longbed '98 Silverado K1500 Xcab...sold '72 Highlander"Raymond"...sold

09-17-2020, 12:47 AM	#4
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,701	Re: 2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering I’m not sure what causes the lean. Fuel tank on one side? I don’t known Be conservative on your cutting and sneak up on it. 1/2 COIL = 1” of drop. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

09-17-2020, 07:20 AM	#5
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,249	Re: 2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering Since I had a small floor jack, some chains and tools in my truck under the tonneau cover I made a little box to hold it on to the passenger side of the bed near tailgate and it leveled my truck out. I have heard so many stories why there is lean like the gas tank & driver weight. I do know on my 02, the spacers they added from factory for quietness and the lean, deteriorated and made the lean worse. A friend of mine swapped his leaf springs around when he lowered his and it seemed to help get rid of it. Personally, I think the leafs are more of the issue that the front coils, but the front coils are easier for most folks to tinker with.. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

09-17-2020, 07:23 AM	#6
rustytruck50 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Papillion, Ne Posts: 897	Re: 2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering Pretty sure its the tank. My thought was that maybe since the springs on that side have both sagged a bit that if something was done first, the softer rear spring was the cause of it still leaning. I agree with the conservative approach...made that mistake years ago on a '83 Cutlass...thought I knew what was what & could not have been more incorrect :eyeroll:...thank goodness for the internet! __________________ -Doug '05 RCSB Sierra 2WD '71 Sierra 2WD Longbed '98 Silverado K1500 Xcab...sold '72 Highlander"Raymond"...sold Last edited by rustytruck50; 09-17-2020 at 07:54 AM.

09-18-2020, 06:03 AM	#8
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,249	Re: 2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering I think they (at least mine were) on the top of the spring. They may have both, but the drivers side top is what deteriorated on my 02. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

09-18-2020, 08:14 AM	#9
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: 2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering A good spring shop can re-arch leaf springs. Swapping LH & RH springs is fairly easy as well. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

10-03-2020, 11:56 AM	#10
rustytruck50 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Papillion, Ne Posts: 897	Re: 2005 Sierra 2wd LH side lean correction & lowering I think I'll give the springs a swap and see what happens....I did get a new spring insulator off of ebay the other day...thanks for the insights & I'll make sure to keep you updated __________________ -Doug '05 RCSB Sierra 2WD '71 Sierra 2WD Longbed '98 Silverado K1500 Xcab...sold '72 Highlander"Raymond"...sold



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