What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Many have posed this question before, but I am still very interested in a solution. Short of getting a real heavy person to sit on the right side, what is the cause and solution for a car leaning to the left side, a.k.a, ... a Bachelor Lean? I feel confident that the problem lies in the rear spring area. Any suggestions??? Is replacing the spring the only solution?

Thanking you in advance.................

Tom in SW VA :)

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Try loosening the spring clamp on the drivers side and tightening the clamp on pass side.

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

I'm not sure changing springs will be your answer. I installed NOS front and rear springs on my '46 convertable thinking this would cure the minor offset but it did not. Maybe Henry built them this way. Several other V-8's around here also have the left lean be it ever so slight.

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Is the spring center bolt broken? Is the bolt head inserted into the frame crossmember?
Paul in CT

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Frame is bent.

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Thats why we turn left on the hi speed ovals, faster that way. other than wedges on front left and rear springs enjoy the look!! LOL ernie n tx

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Lose some weight? lol

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Deuce Lover has the answer. loosen the spring to crossmember u bolts on one side and tighten the other side, front and rear.

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

On my 35, I removed the rear spring and rotated it to where the left side was now on the right side. Did not help at all. Maybe I need to do the front spring also.

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

I made a sheetmetal shim that fitted between the spring and the crossmember and folded one side double. I fitted that, and tightened the u-bolts carefully to correct a persistant lean. I seem to remember fitting one front and rear.

Mart.

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

As above;
Could add a wedge between the spring and crossmember of the proper angle just like we used on stock cars in the 50's. (that's where the term "adding a little wedge" came from that is now used in stock cars)

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

For what it's worth, I read that some cars are engineered with a little "batchelor lean" because we drive on the right and most of our roads are crowned (highest) at the center.

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Are you sure the rear spring is exactly centered on the crossmember? It was a little off center on my '36 pickup; loosened the U-bolts, moved the spring sideways to center it and it corrected the lean.

Adam

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Rubenesque girlfriend.

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

the shims that are posted will work , just play with them

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Any suggestions for a Mechanic's Lean?

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

While I appreciate all the advise you've been given, With all due respect, I have to say, DO THE REPAIR CORRECTLY. Adding shims, etc. is what we referred to (pre PC) as 'riggin it".
If nothing is broken (or worn very badly) in the spring assembly (shackles, etc) than it's simple - you need new springs.
These cars were NOT designed to lean one way or the other. They were designed to sit level. Any quick check of a dimensional drawing, crash manual, etc. will quickly allow that reality.

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

Is that to be read, Mechanic's "lien"? LOL

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

You can't fool a lawyer when it comes to legal lingo ;)

Re: What can be done about a Bachelor Lean?
 

I would first check to make sure the center bolt in the leaf spring is not broken or just not centered up on the cross member. I have seen this problem before with my dads 47 Tudor and we centered up the leaf spring with the cross member to fix it.