Shock/Leaf Spring Ride Height Mystery

[Msu50000]

If it was fuel tank weight all of us would get this lean, and we don't. Even my 36 gallon fuel tank doesn't cause a lean when full.

Did the frame guy measure the exact position of each shackle?

I think the recommendation to loosen the shackles and tighten under weight would be a good start. If this solves it, I would assume the higher side may have been tightened without full weight on it.

It's also possible the leaning side just has a bad spring pack. They aren't metal, from what my magnetic light told me when I work under there.

Lastly, I don't believe there is any "stronger" leaf spring that won't also raise the ride height in the rear.

Appreciate the info, I'll be loosening and re-tightening this afternoon. Anyone know what the torque spec is on those shackle bolts off hand?

Sponsored

 

[Buyer2021]

I'll be loosening and re-tightening this afternoon. Anyone know what the torque spec is on those shackle bolts off hand?

Per '22 Workshop Manual, starting with all bolts loose, in this order ..

1. "Lower the vehicle until the weight of the vehicle is resting on the wheels and tires (curb height)."
2. Rear shackle to bracket 173 lb.ft.
3. Front spring to frame 258 lb.ft (!)
4. Rear spring to shackle 173 lb.ft.

If you think this is contributing to your situation ( ), I'd do the exercise on both sides, and might as well ensure the tank is full.

EDIT TO ATTACH REFERENCED WSM PAGES

 

[Msu50000]

Thank you a ton for the info, I'll be doing this on both sides...guess I'll have to bring out the big bar.

 

[na8rboy]

The lower left front will cause higher right rear.

 

[JumboJVT]

Per '22 Workshop Manual, starting with all bolts loose, in this order ..

1. "Lower the vehicle until the weight of the vehicle is resting on the wheels and tires (curb height)."
2. Rear shackle to bracket 173 lb.ft.
3. Front spring to frame 258 lb.ft (!)
4. Rear spring to shackle 173 lb.ft.

If you think this is contributing to your situation ( ), I'd do the exercise on both sides, and might as well ensure the tank is full.

EDIT TO ATTACH REFERENCED WSM PAGES

So typical chassis bolt torque: as hard as you can pull, and just a little more

 

[Msu50000]

Haha, didn't get a chance to retorque this weekend. I did have a friend look at it and he noticed the left side bed mount has 2 washers where the right side does not...so someone did something to it. Thinking of taking back to frame shop to verify their measurements.

 

[Msu50000]

Quick update for those that may be interested. Took it back to the frame shop and discussed with the manager. He indicated that he fully trusted his machine's measurements, 14 point frame measurement, insurance typically requires 8 he tells me. There was a more in depth measurement he could do on the frame, but he felt like it was wasted money based on the results from the first set of measurements.

I also took it to a shop that I trust and they loosened and retorqued leaf spring bolts as directed previous in this thread, unfortunately still no change.

Now I know that when replacing leaf springs, it's best to replace in pairs. I purchased a single used leaf spring from eBay with nearly the same amount of miles as my truck and had the shop install on the side that sits lower (driver). There was a slight difference in the height of the spring when both were sitting in the floor, maybe 1/2" taller on the newer one...once installed, the right side still sits higher by about 1-3/8" measured from the top of bed/tailgate. After seeing the results, the guys at the shop swear they think it has to be the frame. The last thing I want to try is replacing the right side spring with the one I removed from the left side...shop guys don't think it's worth it...who knows.

Anyway, that's where it sits currently. Something I only really notice, unless I point it out to someone, I can live with it, definitely bigger problems in the world.

Edit: Had new tires put on today, took some more measurements, axle just inside of bump stop to frame is 9" on both sides of the truck.

 

[National Superbike]

Swap the lt and rt springs and see if there is any difference. But, I'm guessing frame tolerance. Pretty easy to get stack up tolerance issues

Sponsored