Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-21-2019, 06:06 AM   #1
jim1932
Senior Member
 
jim1932's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Hancock, MA
Posts: 2,776
Default Bad lean in one direction

On my 32 coupe there is a heavy lean turning. In checking out the car parked, the left rear is soft. If I push on the bumper is goes down farther and easier than any other corner. Bad shock? Or bad spring? Not talking bounce. First movement. In driving it feels like a really soft tire (which I checked).
__________________
Short URL: http://smu.gs/14g7eDW
jim1932 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2019, 10:26 AM   #2
1931 flamingo
Senior Member
 
1931 flamingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,389
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

Take the shock link off and see if any resistance to the shock.
Paul in CT
1931 flamingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-21-2019, 11:00 AM   #3
TJ
Senior Member
 
TJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Napa,California
Posts: 6,005
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

Make sure the spring center bolt is centered in the hole of the crossmember. Make sure the u-bolts are nice and tight. Look for a broken spring leaf(you should spot a crack on the edge of the leaf) and also do as 1931 flamingo suggested.
TJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2019, 01:46 PM   #4
supereal
Senior Member
 
supereal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,634
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

Along with checking the spring and center bolt,
you can switch the spring end to end while you have it out. Old springs will take a "set" over the years, resulting n the tilt. A broken leaf can be hard to spot without disassembling the spring. As in all cases when dealing with a spring, be careful, as there can be tension that will be released when the center bolt is loosened.
supereal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2019, 02:02 PM   #5
VeryTangled
Senior Member
 
VeryTangled's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC
Posts: 3,386
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

Hi Everyone. Jim, I love my wire brush. I'd apply it to the sides of your spring and then use a strong light to get a first check-see if you have a broken leaf.
__________________
-Jeff H

Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?
VeryTangled is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2019, 03:10 PM   #6
Brian
Senior Member
 
Brian's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Masterton, New Zealand
Posts: 3,816
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Can't swap spring end for end as it's curved
__________________
Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!
Brian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2019, 02:09 PM   #7
jim1932
Senior Member
 
jim1932's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Hancock, MA
Posts: 2,776
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

might just be my perception and what I am used to in a daily driver........
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_1365[15279].jpg (48.5 KB, 40 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_1364[15280].jpg (31.3 KB, 39 views)
__________________
Short URL: http://smu.gs/14g7eDW
jim1932 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2019, 11:53 PM   #8
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

Isn't that what they call the bachelor lean. Throw a bag of sand on the other side for a while or start giving uber rides.


wouldn't worry about it. Stand on the passenger side running board for a second when parked.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2019, 02:00 AM   #9
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian View Post
Can't swap spring end for end as it's curved

News to me. Would like to hear more.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2019, 07:22 AM   #10
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,069
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

You've led a sheltered life not to know that all '32-'34 passenger car/commercial rear springs are curved from the center tie bolt to the spring eyes on the ends as shown clearly in the photo below of an early '32 chassis.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Book photos 173.jpg (76.7 KB, 46 views)
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2019, 08:25 AM   #11
jim1932
Senior Member
 
jim1932's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Hancock, MA
Posts: 2,776
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

To be specific, I am talking about the feel in the back end going around corners. It feels like the backend wants to pass the front. It sits square when parked.
__________________
Short URL: http://smu.gs/14g7eDW
jim1932 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2019, 10:21 AM   #12
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

In part that is why sway-bars were added to the later models. In the early years sway was mostly controlled by the shackle angles, shackle construction (tight fit that required the shackle pin to twist inside the bushing material) and the shocks.
Any chance longer shackles bars have been installed or are at the wrong angle?
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2019, 11:08 AM   #13
51 MERC-CT
Senior Member
 
51 MERC-CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Hartford, Ct
Posts: 5,898
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

A little bit better visual of spring.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 32 spring.jpg (111.7 KB, 91 views)
__________________
DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES
51 MERC-CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2019, 11:16 AM   #14
DavidG
Senior Member
 
DavidG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: southeastern Michigan
Posts: 10,069
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

Lots better; thanks!
DavidG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2019, 02:20 PM   #15
jim1932
Senior Member
 
jim1932's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Hancock, MA
Posts: 2,776
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

May just be worn out spring. I can live with it if nothing is broken. Checked it all out this week.
__________________
Short URL: http://smu.gs/14g7eDW
jim1932 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2019, 02:31 PM   #16
cas3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: sw minnesota
Posts: 4,541
Default Re: Bad lean in one direction

veering off course a bit here, but those curved springs are a son ofa gun to put back together after painting. they will not just sit in a stack like a straight spring. c clamps want to tip over, threaded rod thru the hole will bend when the leafs slide off the stack, its just very aggravating! done lots of straight springs in my day, but i sure hope to never do one of those again!
cas3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:55 AM.