The Ford Barn

DaveK · 08-19-2013, 07:49 PM

1930 Model A sport coupe early model.

when looking at back of car car leans to left (drivers side) I thought that it might be a bad shock so I disconnected both rear shocks and car still leans. I put it up on jack stands and looked underneath but can't see anything wrong so now I'm stuck and out of ideas. Springs look good and can't see any spacing differences between driver and passenger side of car also I can not see any frame damage. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Dave

H. L. Chauvin · 08-19-2013, 08:15 PM

Hi Dave,

One possibility:

The inverted "U" shaped rear frame cross member into which the rear spring fits has a square hole in it, centered on the top, into which the square head of the top of the centered rear spring bolt fits snugly.

If this square spring bolt head is not pressed & fitted into this square cross member hole, the frame can slide on the top of the spring to one side & cause leaning.

Look to see if the nut below this spring bolt is centered & report back.

Mitch//pa · 08-19-2013, 08:17 PM

dave try doing a search "leaning left" and youll have plenty to read

DaveK · 08-19-2013, 08:26 PM

Mitch I lean right not left :-)

Mitch//pa · 08-19-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveK

1930 Model A sport coupe early model.

when looking at back of car car leans to left (drivers side) I thought that it might be a bad shock so I disconnected both rear shocks and car still leans. I put it up on jack stands and looked underneath but can't see anything wrong so now I'm stuck and out of ideas. Springs look good and can't see any spacing differences between driver and passenger side of car also I can not see any frame damage. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Dave

drivers side is left as you stated in your first post

DaveK · 08-19-2013, 08:39 PM

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Bolt appears to be centered

DaveK · 08-19-2013, 08:39 PM

mitch I was just joking political left/right :-)

Mitch//pa · 08-19-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveK

mitch I was just joking political left/right :-)

woah i was getting worried as i had a loooong crazy day...
no political stuff allowed here youll get kicked off...read above sticky the dudes are stiff on that

DaveK · 08-19-2013, 09:09 PM

Are U-bolts supposed to be tight up against spring? Mine is not up against spring there is a gap between the bottom plate and spring but the ubolts are tight

H. L. Chauvin · 08-19-2013, 09:53 PM

Could be you have the wrong rear spring bottom plates -- look in a Model A vendors catalog or on line.

How many leaves in your rear spring? Think you should have about 8 spring leaves.

One spring bottom plate 1-1/8" high for about a 7-8 leaf springs & one is 5/8" high for about 10-12 leaf springs.

Also some owners added or removed spring leafs depending on highway conditions & vehicle use.

V4F · 08-19-2013, 09:57 PM

do you have the correct blocks for the spring ? if leaves are removed , you need to add spacers on the top to make it right . leaning to drivers side is common , go to the passenger side running board & rock it (jump up & down) & see if that will help .......

tbirdtbird · 08-19-2013, 10:18 PM

loosen the 2 left hand U Bolt nuts a little and tighten the right ones a little and re-insert cotter pins

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-20-2013, 08:28 PM

Vermin sat straight in the garage for 2 1/2 years. I left the R/H door open for 3 days & he leaned right! I opened the L/H door for 2 days, until he sat straight & QUICKLY closed it! Hope this helps????? Bill W.

columbiA · 08-21-2013, 12:15 PM

Your lower spring clamps are likely the ones used on the sedans that used a 10-leaf rear spring.You needed the taller clamps that are used on the coupes ,cabriolets & Victoria's.When you put it together with the correct clamps,use Anti-Seize on the threads & it will make it much easier to remove next time. It's no wonder the car leans to one side! Make sure the center bolt fits into hole in cross member.

08-19-2013, 07:49 PM	#1
DaveK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NC Posts: 14	Rear suspension problems 1930 Model A sport coupe early model. when looking at back of car car leans to left (drivers side) I thought that it might be a bad shock so I disconnected both rear shocks and car still leans. I put it up on jack stands and looked underneath but can't see anything wrong so now I'm stuck and out of ideas. Springs look good and can't see any spacing differences between driver and passenger side of car also I can not see any frame damage. Any thoughts? Thanks. Dave

08-19-2013, 08:15 PM	#2
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Rear suspension problems Hi Dave, One possibility: The inverted "U" shaped rear frame cross member into which the rear spring fits has a square hole in it, centered on the top, into which the square head of the top of the centered rear spring bolt fits snugly. If this square spring bolt head is not pressed & fitted into this square cross member hole, the frame can slide on the top of the spring to one side & cause leaning. Look to see if the nut below this spring bolt is centered & report back.

08-19-2013, 08:26 PM	#4
DaveK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NC Posts: 14	Re: Rear suspension problems Mitch I lean right not left :-)

08-19-2013, 08:39 PM	#6
DaveK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NC Posts: 14	Re: Rear suspension problems Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Bolt appears to be centered

08-19-2013, 08:39 PM	#7
DaveK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NC Posts: 14	Re: Rear suspension problems mitch I was just joking political left/right :-)

08-19-2013, 09:09 PM	#9
DaveK Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NC Posts: 14	Re: Rear suspension problems Are U-bolts supposed to be tight up against spring? Mine is not up against spring there is a gap between the bottom plate and spring but the ubolts are tight

08-19-2013, 09:53 PM	#10
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Rear suspension problems Could be you have the wrong rear spring bottom plates -- look in a Model A vendors catalog or on line. How many leaves in your rear spring? Think you should have about 8 spring leaves. One spring bottom plate 1-1/8" high for about a 7-8 leaf springs & one is 5/8" high for about 10-12 leaf springs. Also some owners added or removed spring leafs depending on highway conditions & vehicle use.

08-19-2013, 09:57 PM	#11
V4F Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ca. Posts: 2,524	Re: Rear suspension problems do you have the correct blocks for the spring ? if leaves are removed , you need to add spacers on the top to make it right . leaning to drivers side is common , go to the passenger side running board & rock it (jump up & down) & see if that will help ....... __________________ V4f

08-19-2013, 10:18 PM	#12
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Rear suspension problems loosen the 2 left hand U Bolt nuts a little and tighten the right ones a little and re-insert cotter pins __________________ '31 180A

08-20-2013, 08:28 PM	#13
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Rear suspension problems Vermin sat straight in the garage for 2 1/2 years. I left the R/H door open for 3 days & he leaned right! I opened the L/H door for 2 days, until he sat straight & QUICKLY closed it! Hope this helps????? Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

08-21-2013, 12:15 PM	#14
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Rear suspension problems Your lower spring clamps are likely the ones used on the sedans that used a 10-leaf rear spring.You needed the taller clamps that are used on the coupes ,cabriolets & Victoria's.When you put it together with the correct clamps,use Anti-Seize on the threads & it will make it much easier to remove next time. It's no wonder the car leans to one side! Make sure the center bolt fits into hole in cross member.