The Ford Barn

Grumps · 07-27-2022, 07:32 AM

With my A sitting in my driveway without any weight in it and looking at it from the front it sits lower or leans to the driver's side. I know that it shouldn't, but I need some help to know where to start looking. What do I need to look for?

gdmn852 · 07-27-2022, 09:34 AM

Hello,Shackle bushings wear and that will make the car lean , you will need a spring spreader to remove the spring from shackles and axle. Be careful, those springs have quite a kick, the rear in particular. Usually you will find the bushings worn out of round. Springs also can be a source of off level.Do a search on Ford Barn may also help.

Roger V · 07-27-2022, 10:12 AM

It leans because of possibly 90+ years of fatigue with at least a driver but not always a passenger. One of my A's had this. I measured the frame every foot to see if it had the driver side rail fatigued downward. Was okay so replaced the front spring because it was smaller. No change. Went to the larger rear spring whereby the driver side was lower. Didn't expect that due to being bigger. Replaced with a new one and was back to level.

fundytides · 07-27-2022, 10:18 AM

Check the front spring centerbolt. I bought a 31 Roadster years ago that had a noticeable lean to the drivers side. I discovered that the head had sheared off the center bolt and the frame had slid to the left on the spring.

Tim Ayers · 07-27-2022, 10:48 AM

My '28 AV8 roadster is rebuilt from front to back. Has approx. 250 miles on it. Airplane shocks front and back. The car has the same lean.

Kurt in NJ · 07-27-2022, 11:34 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

lubrication of the springs is cheap and easy, take oil can and soak spring with automatic transmission fluid , don’t forget the oil hole in the crank bracket , go for a drive and oil again —- this fixed the lean in my car, i did have to tighten the shock needle valves to stop the bouncing, the car returns to level .
if that doesn’t work you can move in to the more expensive options mentioned in other posts
If there’s is red dust coming from between the spring leaves they are dry and need lubricant

john charlton · 07-27-2022, 03:33 PM

Most RHD cars lean to the right . It is years of the drivers weight with less often balancing weight from a passenger . The frame can also sag slightly on the drivers side . I am building a LHD roadster right now and will rotate the springs 180 degrees which should make it upright .

John in a lovely summer Suffolk County England .

ronn · 07-27-2022, 03:43 PM

Big Bertha drove the car to market every Saturday.

why your car leans...... left.

john in illinois · 07-27-2022, 04:14 PM

A club member had a Tudor that leaned. He tried a lot of things. We told him to get a heavier girl friend. It was always a joke from then on.

John

WHN · 07-27-2022, 04:47 PM

Think of your favorite chair after watching TV setting in it for 90 years.

Replace your springs should correct the problem. I would do one at a time, starting with the front. Just the front could solve the problem.

We had the same issue on our 29. Front spring fixed it.

Enjoy.

aermotor · 07-27-2022, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHN

Think of your favorite chair after watching TV setting in it for 90 years.

Replace your springs should correct the problem. I would do one at a time, starting with the front. Just the front could solve the problem.

We had the same issue on our 29. Front spring fixed it.

Enjoy.

When or if you take it apart you may find a divot on the top of a spring from the one above it. If this is the case smooth it out to a bevel before lubing and putting back together.

NZ28ModelA · 07-27-2022, 06:02 PM

I too found my front spring centre bolt had sheared off sliding several of the springs across to one side..

Grumps · 07-28-2022, 07:10 AM

Alright now I have several places to start checking. I know that the car leans to the drivers side and I'm not a small guy so it must really be low when I'm in it. There's not much of a chance of me getting smaller so I'll have to fix the lean.

Fhane · 07-28-2022, 07:48 AM

We have corrected the problem if not to severe. This can happen when installing a new spring if not careful. The problem can be caused by all stated above. Put the car on a level surface. Loosen the all nuts that hold the U bolts for the spring or springs in question. Rock the car so it sits level to the level surface. Now tighten the nuts on the U bolts carefully as not to off set the level of the car. If you tighten the two bolts on one side of the U bolt too much at one time the car will lean to that side. Having an observer should help. When tightening the U bolts you can usually level the car. Good luck.

rotorwrench · 07-28-2022, 12:16 PM

A person could re-arch the springs if they are in decent condition. Leaning cars generally have a bit more fatigue on the one side. If it still leans after arching then either bend the arches a bit tighter on the one side or replace the springs. As was mentioned, some springs can be turned around to put the driver weight on the opposite side.

Put some ballast on the other side or have someone stand on there and see how much weight balances the car out. More modern cars with dual springs generally hold up better than the buggy spring set up but good quality springs generally last a long time without problems like this.

Ivan in southeast va. · 07-29-2022, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fhane

We have corrected the problem if not to severe. This can happen when installing a new spring if not careful. The problem can be caused by all stated above. Put the car on a level surface. Loosen the all nuts that hold the U bolts for the spring or springs in question. Rock the car so it sits level to the level surface. Now tighten the nuts on the U bolts carefully as not to off set the level of the car. If you tighten the two bolts on one side of the U bolt too much at one time the car will lean to that side. Having an observer should help. When tightening the U bolts you can usually level the car. Good luck.

That's what we did.

ronn · 07-30-2022, 06:28 AM

turning the springs around sounds like a great idea, esp if youre a bit on the burley side.

it will even out over time.

brokenspoke · 07-30-2022, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fhane

we have corrected the problem if not to severe. This can happen when installing a new spring if not careful. The problem can be caused by all stated above. Put the car on a level surface. Loosen the all nuts that hold the u bolts for the spring or springs in question. Rock the car so it sits level to the level surface. Now tighten the nuts on the u bolts carefully as not to off set the level of the car. If you tighten the two bolts on one side of the u bolt too much at one time the car will lean to that side. Having an observer should help. When tightening the u bolts you can usually level the car. Good luck.

bingo

fried okra · 07-30-2022, 06:47 PM

It leans to the left.....maybe cause it's a Democrat?

Dirtrack49 · 07-30-2022, 08:02 PM

I think Paul Shinn had a good idea on this subject. Every time you get out on the drivers side, go over to the passenger side and stand on the running board. If your springs are good, you will help alleviate the memory of the drivers side lean by doing so.
I have found this to be true on many an old vehicle.
Works for me.

07-27-2022, 07:32 AM	#1
Grumps Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 88	Why does it Lean? With my A sitting in my driveway without any weight in it and looking at it from the front it sits lower or leans to the driver's side. I know that it shouldn't, but I need some help to know where to start looking. What do I need to look for?

07-27-2022, 09:34 AM	#2
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: Why does it Lean? Hello,Shackle bushings wear and that will make the car lean , you will need a spring spreader to remove the spring from shackles and axle. Be careful, those springs have quite a kick, the rear in particular. Usually you will find the bushings worn out of round. Springs also can be a source of off level.Do a search on Ford Barn may also help.

07-27-2022, 10:12 AM	#3
Roger V Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,593	Re: Why does it Lean? It leans because of possibly 90+ years of fatigue with at least a driver but not always a passenger. One of my A's had this. I measured the frame every foot to see if it had the driver side rail fatigued downward. Was okay so replaced the front spring because it was smaller. No change. Went to the larger rear spring whereby the driver side was lower. Didn't expect that due to being bigger. Replaced with a new one and was back to level.

07-27-2022, 10:18 AM	#4
fundytides Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 480	Re: Why does it Lean? Check the front spring centerbolt. I bought a 31 Roadster years ago that had a noticeable lean to the drivers side. I discovered that the head had sheared off the center bolt and the frame had slid to the left on the spring.

07-27-2022, 10:48 AM	#5
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,181	Re: Why does it Lean? My '28 AV8 roadster is rebuilt from front to back. Has approx. 250 miles on it. Airplane shocks front and back. The car has the same lean.

07-27-2022, 11:34 AM	#6
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Why does it Lean? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) lubrication of the springs is cheap and easy, take oil can and soak spring with automatic transmission fluid , don’t forget the oil hole in the crank bracket , go for a drive and oil again —- this fixed the lean in my car, i did have to tighten the shock needle valves to stop the bouncing, the car returns to level . if that doesn’t work you can move in to the more expensive options mentioned in other posts If there’s is red dust coming from between the spring leaves they are dry and need lubricant

07-27-2022, 03:33 PM	#7
john charlton Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,304	Re: Why does it Lean? Most RHD cars lean to the right . It is years of the drivers weight with less often balancing weight from a passenger . The frame can also sag slightly on the drivers side . I am building a LHD roadster right now and will rotate the springs 180 degrees which should make it upright . John in a lovely summer Suffolk County England .

07-27-2022, 03:43 PM	#8
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,792	Re: Why does it Lean? Big Bertha drove the car to market every Saturday. why your car leans...... left.

07-27-2022, 04:14 PM	#9
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,185	Re: Why does it Lean? A club member had a Tudor that leaned. He tried a lot of things. We told him to get a heavier girl friend. It was always a joke from then on. John __________________ Welcome each day

07-27-2022, 04:47 PM	#10
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,824	Re: Why does it Lean? Think of your favorite chair after watching TV setting in it for 90 years. Replace your springs should correct the problem. I would do one at a time, starting with the front. Just the front could solve the problem. We had the same issue on our 29. Front spring fixed it. Enjoy.

07-27-2022, 06:02 PM	#12
NZ28ModelA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 117	Re: Why does it Lean? I too found my front spring centre bolt had sheared off sliding several of the springs across to one side..

07-28-2022, 07:10 AM	#13
Grumps Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 88	Re: Why does it Lean? Alright now I have several places to start checking. I know that the car leans to the drivers side and I'm not a small guy so it must really be low when I'm in it. There's not much of a chance of me getting smaller so I'll have to fix the lean.

07-28-2022, 07:48 AM	#14
Fhane Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stuart Florida Posts: 149	Re: Why does it Lean? We have corrected the problem if not to severe. This can happen when installing a new spring if not careful. The problem can be caused by all stated above. Put the car on a level surface. Loosen the all nuts that hold the U bolts for the spring or springs in question. Rock the car so it sits level to the level surface. Now tighten the nuts on the U bolts carefully as not to off set the level of the car. If you tighten the two bolts on one side of the U bolt too much at one time the car will lean to that side. Having an observer should help. When tightening the U bolts you can usually level the car. Good luck.

07-28-2022, 12:16 PM	#15
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Why does it Lean? A person could re-arch the springs if they are in decent condition. Leaning cars generally have a bit more fatigue on the one side. If it still leans after arching then either bend the arches a bit tighter on the one side or replace the springs. As was mentioned, some springs can be turned around to put the driver weight on the opposite side. Put some ballast on the other side or have someone stand on there and see how much weight balances the car out. More modern cars with dual springs generally hold up better than the buggy spring set up but good quality springs generally last a long time without problems like this.

07-30-2022, 06:28 AM	#17
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,792	Re: Why does it Lean? turning the springs around sounds like a great idea, esp if youre a bit on the burley side. it will even out over time.

07-30-2022, 06:47 PM	#19
fried okra Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Daniel Island,SouthCarolina/Knoxville, Tennessee/Sanibel Island,Florida Posts: 292	Re: Why does it Lean? It leans to the left.....maybe cause it's a Democrat?

07-30-2022, 08:02 PM	#20
Dirtrack49 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Tehachapi California Posts: 156	Re: Why does it Lean? I think Paul Shinn had a good idea on this subject. Every time you get out on the drivers side, go over to the passenger side and stand on the running board. If your springs are good, you will help alleviate the memory of the drivers side lean by doing so. I have found this to be true on many an old vehicle. Works for me. __________________ Tom L.