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Old 04-03-2011, 10:49 AM   #1
jameslo
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Default 31 Coupe - Front end not sitting level

I have a '31 Deluxe Coupe. The front of the car (bumper height, fender height) is a good 1 1/2" higher on the passenger side than the driver side. The rear is level side to side.

On the lift, the front right wheel hangs noticably lower then the front left. The axle is clearly not parallel with the rear axle.

There are the symptoms, but I can't see how or what to adjust. I can push the lower wheel up, and of course, it comes right back down.

The wheels look centered on the car, nothing appears to be bent.

Anyone else run into something like this and remember what the fix was?
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Old 04-03-2011, 11:50 AM   #2
Mitch
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Default Re: 31 Coupe - Front end not sitting level

Check the bolt that runs through the springs and has the square top head that goes through the from cross member. This would be to make sure the spring is centered.

If that's OK, I'd check for broken spring(s).
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Old 04-03-2011, 02:19 PM   #3
pat in Santa Cruz
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Default Re: 31 Coupe - Front end not sitting level

what Mitch says is the most common cause. If the center bolt is there and the spring is not broken, check the shackles for a break or excess wear, often into the hangers. When you have the crank bearing off so you can inspect the center bolt head and cross member hole, see if the cross member is cracked or not. Not tapering the edges of the top leaf ( a common mistake on replacements) will cause the spring to seat unevenly, as well as eventually cracking the cross member along the front and back edges. Another cause is uneven tightening of the spring retainer bolts. The number 2 cause is spring fatigue, meaning re-arcing or replacement. Pulling the spring and laying it down so you can see if the arch is even will help determine that as well as looking to see how high above the axle the spring eye is. It should be about 3/8ths to 1/4 inch minimum. If its riding on the axle, that's not good.
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Old 04-03-2011, 05:22 PM   #4
V4F
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Default Re: 31 Coupe - Front end not sitting level

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if all seems in good cond. , loosen the nuts that hold the front axle to the crossmember . bounce the pass side & see if the spring will shift back to center . only if all parts are good ............... steve
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