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07-15-2012, 05:20 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lakeville, MN
Posts: 5,165
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Body tilting
Today I had several friends over to install the body on the chassis. It wasn't quite as easy as I had hoped, but we got it installed, the blocks positioned and the bolts into the frame holes. However, after installing the body, it leans almost an inch down on the left side. All the body blocks were checked and are OK and the rear spring center bolt is definitely in the square hole in the rear frame crossmember. The only thing I can think of that is causing the lean is the rear spring isn't right (weak on the left side). The spring I used was never on the chassis before but is an original Ford spring. Can anyone think of any other reason why the body would lean down on the left side so much? All the shocks are installed. I was thinking about removing the rear spring and reversing the direction of the spring. That would tell me if the spring is the problem. Reversing the spring is not a simple task so I wanted to see if anyone had any other suggestion before I do anything. I am pasting in a picture of the car below.
Thanks for any suggestions as to why the lean. Rusty Nelson |
07-15-2012, 05:34 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Point, VA 23181
Posts: 373
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Re: Body tilting
There was a post here not long ago about loosening the crossmember spring clamp on the low side and tightening on the high side to achieve level. Try a quick search.
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07-15-2012, 08:41 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Yep
Posts: 202
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Re: Body tilting
When building another car, I got the front end leaning in one direction and the rear leaning another. A friend suggested re tightening the springs very carefully and evenly, side to side.
The car sits fine now. I hope your problem is as simple as this. |
07-16-2012, 10:24 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Fresno, Ca.
Posts: 3,636
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Re: Body tilting
The shackles look good(angled the same). I go with the 2 previous posts.
Did you put any kind of material between the cross members and the springs? |
07-16-2012, 12:23 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Body tilting
I didn't put any material between the top of the springs and the front and rear crossmembers. I believe I posted a message here or saw somewhere, that Ford didn't use anything in that area, so I didn't. I am going to work with the U bolts and see what happens.
Rusty Nelson |
07-16-2012, 12:49 PM | #6 |
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Location: Mpls, MN
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Re: Body tilting
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07-16-2012, 02:01 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
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Re: Body tilting
I list to the starboard when I walk, sooo crookedy things look straight, and visa-versa, so I shouldn't comment, BUT, if the frame is straight & all body blocks are proper, maybe it's too early to be concerned about some "lean" until car is assembled, & driven so that springs, etc can "settle in" & "limber up." (A friend had a "lean" caused by a frozen shock.) Bill W.
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07-16-2012, 02:02 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lakeville, MN
Posts: 5,165
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Re: Body tilting
Thanks Tom, I was planning to do something like that. Hope it works.
Rusty Nelson |
07-16-2012, 07:02 PM | #9 |
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Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,593
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Re: Body tilting
Some time ago, probably years, someone had a lean problem too. I sub-posted that I had a lean to the left. Checked the frame which was straight. Suspected the front spring and replaced to no avail. Ended up being the rear spring. Made measurements and compared one end to the other. Thought about just reversing but figured it would just make the right side lean. Thought about reversing every other leaf too. All of this was because it was a super nice looking spring. Not wanting to have to take this all apart again, I opted for a new spring. Sat level afterwards.
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