Leaning 58
I sent my original leaf springs off to Detroit Eaton Springs and had them rearch them. After reassembly, I noted that one spring was higher (with springs setting on floor with arch up) by the thickness of one spring leaf. I thought this didn't seem right but I installed them anyway. Now my car does not sit level by approx 1/2 inch as measured at the rear wheel opening. I had a pair of aftermarket springs in the car before all of this and the car sat level so I know if is the springs. Does anyone have any experience with this and is there any remedy like overloading the high side spring to "reshape it" a little??
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Re: Leaning 58
Switch the springs side to side .There are many things that can cause a car not to set level .Comment
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Re: Leaning 58
My question would be: When did you tighten the front bushing nut and the rear shackle nuts? The ST-12 on page 4-5, instruction 4 indicates that they should be loose when the vehicle is lowered to the floor and it should be "bounced several times" to center the bushings. I'd point out that I'm sure this is intended to be with the body ON the frame and perhaps with at least a partial load of fuel.
If you tightened these bolts when it was just a frame, you might have caused your own problem.Comment
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Re: Leaning 58
Loren: I did not tighten the front bushing nut and rear shackle nuts until after the car was back on the ground and was bounced several times. I was aware this could make a difference but thanks for the suggestion.
Dan: I spent the time today to switch the springs as you suggested. The arch on the what was the passenger side spring measured 5 1/8" in the free state. The drivers side measured 5 5/8" in the free state. These difference in measurements agreed with the amount of lean but seems like the "taller" spring on the left would make that side higher ?? After all this THE CAR STLL LEANS TO THE LEFT ! This really confounds me now as I expected the lean to follow the spring. As I said before, I had aftermarket springs on before all of this and the car sat level. I am a loss at what to do.Comment
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Re: Leaning 58
Don
If I understand the info correctly, the car still leans after switching the springs. Was anything else done to the car while the springs were out of it? How was the car supported with the springs off? I'm assuming you checked the spring perches to make sure they were the same.
TerryComment
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Re: Leaning 58
Terry: The only thing I did yesterday was to swap the springs. I marked them so I would not get them mixed up. The car was supported by jackstands under the rearmost frame cross-member. The axle was hanging on the rebound straps. The spring perches appear to be the same. Today I unhooked the shocks thinking one may me sticking. With the shocks unhooked and the spring eye hardware loose I bounced the car several times. Same result ... leans to the left by approx 1/2". Maybe I will just have to live with it? Aprreciate your thoughts!Comment
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Re: Leaning 58
OE springs are not checked for height unloaded. They are checked under load. It sounds like Eaton is doing that based on your ride height. (FYI: This Eaton is not OE Eaton.)
(The reason to do it that way is a small difference in rate (couldn't feel it) would result in a difference in the unloaded spring height, but the car wouild sit level when loaded.)
Long shot: If the right front is sitting high, the left rear will be low. Try rolling the car to make sure the front suspension is at the proper height.Comment
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Re: Leaning 58
Bill: Your explanation on how Eaton dials the springs in makes sense and agrees with my results. Rolling the car made no difference. I did try jacking up the front on the part that hangs down on the 3rd bearing for the steering which I believe is centered on the frame. I jacked up just enough to clear the tires from the floor. This should remove the effect of the front end. Rear checked a difference of 1/4" or roughly half what I had before so this tells me the front is contributing to the lean. I checked the front springs relative to where the springs are seated in the lower A-frame and they are positioned the same. I don't think I have any other options short of shimming at either the front or rear spring to level it up. Appreciate your input Bill!Comment
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Re: Leaning 58
Don
When I asked about anything done while springs were out I meant when they were at Eaton. Have you checked the front height against the ST-12 info? Have you checked ground clearence of the frame to make sure it is level? How much weight in the truck on the high side to level car. If not a whole lot maybe put bags of sand or salt and drive it for a while and see if the spring settles. Sometimes these old cars seem to have a mind of their own. Keep us posted.
TerryComment
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