The Ford Barn

46HARLEY · 12-09-2023, 01:33 PM

On my newly acquired 1930, 2 door sedan. The body has a 1 inch slant on the rear. Having no knowledge of the under carriage, crawling underneath saw no damage and it all looked to be there. Measured from the axle up to body, 1 inch difference. My question, is it springs or some other consideration ?
Thanks for any ideas.

Flathead · 12-09-2023, 02:38 PM

So. viewing the car from the rear one side is roughly 1 inch lower than the other side?

WHN · 12-09-2023, 02:39 PM

Pictures would help?

ronn · 12-09-2023, 02:43 PM

it could be springs..........could even be a broken spring, but there are a few other
considerations......as in body mounts, rot, or? photos would help a lot

46HARLEY · 12-09-2023, 03:17 PM

Yes from one side to the other. Marks measured at rear bumper height.

J Franklin · 12-09-2023, 03:36 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Owned for the last 50 years by a heavyset (rotund) driver.

46HARLEY · 12-09-2023, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J Franklin

Owned for the last 50 years by a heavyset (rotund) driver.

An excellent theory, I’ll have to find a rotund passenger as a fix.

eagle · 12-09-2023, 04:08 PM

Clean and lube the rear spring. Lots of info on here about how to. Use the search to find it.

oldspert · 12-09-2023, 04:44 PM

Looks like it might have marked its spot already.

Cool 33 · 12-09-2023, 05:31 PM

The rear or even the front spring center bolt might not be in the hole in the crossmember.

WHN · 12-09-2023, 06:22 PM

I would put your car on jack stands, all four wheels off the ground. Stands on frame, front and rear end hanging free.

Now you can see any lose or broken items. Check your front end also, king pins, everything.

By the look of the car. I would guess that your springs are shoot along with the shackles and most likely many other suspension parts.

Joe K · 12-09-2023, 06:36 PM

Frame bent slightly? Best seen with the body off. Common to be "down" around the center cross-member.

Joe K

figment · 12-09-2023, 06:37 PM

Might be a shock hanging up if there are any on the car

1crosscut · 12-09-2023, 07:06 PM

Lots of stored energy in a rear spring. If you are not familiar with working on a rear spring please do some research and educate yourself about the proper way to work on one so you don't severely injure yourself.

46HARLEY · 12-09-2023, 09:24 PM

Thank you all for the replies. I will post when I find the cause.

ronn · 12-10-2023, 03:03 AM

Owned for the last 50 years by a heavyset (rotund) driver.

Has anyone tried running 21" rims on the left side only?

LOL

nkaminar · 12-10-2023, 06:35 AM

After checking all the things mentioned above, if the car is still listing to the left, check the shackles to see if they are badly worn. If everything points to a sagging spring then there are two things to do. First is to replace the spring. A second option is to add a shim under the spring on the side that is low. The second option is not the preferred option but will work.

8EL · 12-10-2023, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 46HARLEY

On my newly acquired 1930, 2 door sedan. The body has a 1 inch slant on the rear. Having no knowledge of the under carriage, crawling underneath saw no damage and it all looked to be there. Measured from the axle up to body, 1 inch difference. My question, is it springs or some other consideration ?
Thanks for any ideas.

The spring mounting shackles on these cars are known to wear through their mountings, actually allowing the spring eye to contact the axle housing(s). I have seen this on my own car and would suggest looking a little closer at yours. Couple of pictures of what to look for... The original post can be found at:https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329677

katy · 12-10-2023, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn

Has anyone tried running 21" rims on the left side only?

Won't help, 21" and 19" wheels both have the same OD.

8EL · 12-10-2023, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

Won't help, 21" and 19" wheels both have the same OD.

And if they did not, the difference in the overall diameters would cause the side gears to continually rotate to compensate if that were the case. Like continually turning a corner, needless to say this would cause premature failure of these gears and the spider they revolve on.

12-09-2023, 01:33 PM	#1
46HARLEY Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: NY Posts: 54	Help “A” guy out. On my newly acquired 1930, 2 door sedan. The body has a 1 inch slant on the rear. Having no knowledge of the under carriage, crawling underneath saw no damage and it all looked to be there. Measured from the axle up to body, 1 inch difference. My question, is it springs or some other consideration ? Thanks for any ideas.

12-09-2023, 02:38 PM	#2
Flathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 1,499	Re: Help “A” guy out. So. viewing the car from the rear one side is roughly 1 inch lower than the other side?

12-09-2023, 02:39 PM	#3
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,824	Re: Help “A” guy out. Pictures would help?

12-09-2023, 02:43 PM	#4
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,792	Re: Help “A” guy out. it could be springs..........could even be a broken spring, but there are a few other considerations......as in body mounts, rot, or? photos would help a lot

12-09-2023, 03:36 PM	#6
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,963	Re: Help “A” guy out. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Owned for the last 50 years by a heavyset (rotund) driver.

12-09-2023, 04:08 PM	#8
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Help “A” guy out. Clean and lube the rear spring. Lots of info on here about how to. Use the search to find it. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

12-09-2023, 04:44 PM	#9
oldspert Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 227	Re: Help “A” guy out. Looks like it might have marked its spot already.

12-09-2023, 05:31 PM	#10
Cool 33 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Forney, Tex. Posts: 143	Re: Help “A” guy out. The rear or even the front spring center bolt might not be in the hole in the crossmember.

12-09-2023, 06:22 PM	#11
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,824	Re: Help “A” guy out. I would put your car on jack stands, all four wheels off the ground. Stands on frame, front and rear end hanging free. Now you can see any lose or broken items. Check your front end also, king pins, everything. By the look of the car. I would guess that your springs are shoot along with the shackles and most likely many other suspension parts.

12-09-2023, 06:36 PM	#12
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Help “A” guy out. Frame bent slightly? Best seen with the body off. Common to be "down" around the center cross-member. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

12-09-2023, 06:37 PM	#13
figment Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 332	Re: Help “A” guy out. Might be a shock hanging up if there are any on the car

12-09-2023, 07:06 PM	#14
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,909	Re: Help “A” guy out. Lots of stored energy in a rear spring. If you are not familiar with working on a rear spring please do some research and educate yourself about the proper way to work on one so you don't severely injure yourself. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

12-09-2023, 09:24 PM	#15
46HARLEY Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: NY Posts: 54	Re: Help “A” guy out. Thank you all for the replies. I will post when I find the cause.

12-10-2023, 03:03 AM	#16
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,792	Re: Help “A” guy out. Owned for the last 50 years by a heavyset (rotund) driver. Has anyone tried running 21" rims on the left side only? LOL

12-10-2023, 06:35 AM	#17
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: Help “A” guy out. After checking all the things mentioned above, if the car is still listing to the left, check the shackles to see if they are badly worn. If everything points to a sagging spring then there are two things to do. First is to replace the spring. A second option is to add a shim under the spring on the side that is low. The second option is not the preferred option but will work. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.