Body Lean

[LEB Ben]

Hey fellas was going through some pics of Red...and I never noticed this before but in this pic, it looks like Red is leaning to the Passenger side slightly:

Looks like it's getting worse 1 year later:

And even worse 2 months after that:

I never noticed that while looking at it in person, just in these pics. Suggestions on a fix? New body mounts?

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Maybe its springs? My 76 does the same thing but way worse and on the other side. I figured it was my fat butt doin it but come to think of it the body mounts are all rusty on that one.

 

[LEB Ben]

HMMMMMM...could be springs, but she's only got 135K+/- on her...but 30+ years old I guess. The springs were good at the restore, so I didn't touch them. Maybe it would be a good time to have them rearched...and gain a couple inches...so I can fit bigger tires, but still say it's stock suspension.


On edit: how do you tell if springs are going bad? Would I need stock dimensions and measure that against where my springs are now? And where would I find stock dimensions (Dennis...)?

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Could do that or just get new stock hieght springs. The rearched ones will probly sag over time and be back to what ya have.

 

[LEB Ben]

Could do that or just get new stock hieght springs. The rearched ones will probly sag over time and be back to what ya have.

C'mon Dan...you know me better than that. You know I try to to maintain my rigs with all the original equipment it came with.

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

I know just throwin it out there. Id check your mounts to be sure. It might just be that the core support bushing on that side needs to be either replaced or re shimmed.

 

[dakonthemountain]

How about after measuring them, if they are different you have them re-arched to specs?..
Dak

 

[LEB Ben]

I know just throwin it out there. Id check your mounts to be sure. It might just be that the core support bushing on that side needs to be either replaced or re shimmed.

Thanks Dan...just looking for ideas...because like I said, I just noticed it while looking through pics, so I was just trying to pool a bunch of different possibilities. I guess this begins a new to-do list for when I get home for the summer.

How about after measuring them, if they are different you have them re-arched to specs?..
Dak

I could definitely do that...no biggie, just if I could gain a couple extra inches I wouldn't mind (go ahead and sig that you pervs)

 

[1985 Ford F-150]

Yep id try to lift that side and see if it has any give to t or if it fixes the problem. It might just be tweaked from the wreck.

 

[bucks77ford]

Does the entire truck lean that way or is it just the cab?

 

[LEB Ben]

Yep id try to lift that side and see if it has any give to t or if it fixes the problem. It might just be tweaked from the wreck.

That's true...but the frame checked out right, and if you'll notice, it got progressively worse...that first pic was taken 6 years after the wreck...5 years after the restore.

Does the entire truck lean that way or is it just the cab?

It appears to just be the cab...but I haven't noticed the 'dent' to be outta alignment from cab to bed...but then again, I didn't notice the cab, and the first pic was taken 2 years ago.

 

[john112deere]

Uh...first thing I notice about the pics: each one is taken in a different place.

Might wanna check tire pressure, and make damn sure all four tires are parked on a good flat surface before you get into anything more complicated...

(OK...it does seem maybe a little unlikely- but always check the easy stuff first. )

 

[LEB Ben]

Yeah I was thinking that too Ian...but I was judging where the fender/bumper was in relation to the tire...and it appeared different. But AFAIK...all the places the pics were taken, were good flat surfaces, and I know all the tires are withing +/-5lbs of eachother. And like I said...nothing I can do about it now, but just wanted to start gathering info/ideas now, and work my way from the simplest to the most involved when I get back home.

 

[O'Rattlecan]

Air up your tires and then measure the top of the arch at the wheel well and compare numbers from side to side. Mine started to lean, then all the sudden it leaned a lot. My springs blew up.

Ryan

 

[john112deere]

...but I was judging where the fender/bumper was in relation to the tire...and it appeared different...work my way from the simplest to the most involved when I get back home.

Yeah. Just thought I'd throw that out there 'cause it's something I learned the hard way on a lawn tractor one time. Iff'n you adjust the cutting deck without checking tire pressure, it won't cut straight when the tires are properly filled.

*Since the bumper looks square to the cab in all pics...I'd say it's not body mounts. Probably springs, but my buddy's Model A was like that (tilted bumper that kept getting worse) and it turned out to be a cracked frame. Which, in hindsight, explained the death wobble under downhill braking, too. (I can't imagine you would have missed something that serious doing the resto you did, though...so my bet is springs or their mountings.)

 

[LEB Ben]

Thanks for the info fellas...and at the time, no the frame wasn't cracked Ian, and at last check, it still wasn't. At this point in time, I guess my money will probably be that the 32 years old springs are starting to give out.

 

[dakonthemountain]

Gee Ben, If your springs are giving out and you "need a couple inches" you sure are falling apart fast for such a young guy!

Sorry, Couldn't resist. It was too easy! Now go study and

 

[LEB Ben]

Geez...everyboy's a jokester.

But really guys...I was just joking with you, I set up my suspension that way so I could do the good ol' DEEEEtroit lean without actually having to lean.

 

[DNFXDLI]

It can be from the engine torque...after many years hitting the throttle the vehicle wants to twist a certain way...hence sub-frame connectors on race cars....I had the exact same thing happen in an old car.

 

[LEB Ben]

Yeah Duncan...I think I'll go with that one. Red just has so much power, she can't hold herself together anymore...haha. It's definitely an interesting thought though. You think she actually has enough power to actually have a problem like that...350hp/450tq?