New springs - still got a lean!!!

We finally finished replacing the leaf springs last night. New 4-leaf springs from Laurel Mountain's eBay listing, with all new bushings and new shackles.

Measuring from the bottom of the rear fender-well lip to the center of the wheel...

Before: Driver side was about 2" lower than the passenger side.

After: Driver side is exactly 1/2" lower than the passenger side.

First question: What's up with this??? Both springs are brand new. I did not A/B them side by side before installing, which I probably should have done. But could there be that much difference in the spring bends? (I really would prefer not to take all that back apart again and swap the springs unless there's a real possibility of success.)

Second question: What's the fix?

Can I install a taller shackle? If so, how much taller should it be?

Can I simply install a 1/2" lowering block on the passenger leaf to lower that side? (I realize this will 'technically' change the side-to-side rear end alignment. But given the total width and the flex of tires, is 1/2" difference really that big of a deal?

As always, much obliged...

 

You should let them settle for a bit before changing anything.

 

That makes sense and we'll do that. But do you really think it will change much???

And if the lean remains, do we have an easy solution to correct a 1/2" difference?

 

Lots of different factors. How much fuel in tank? Ground leval and flat? Front measurements while measureing rear?

 

Easy fix is to put a 1/2" taller tire on drivers side . LOL

Yes let it settle in some before getting real concerned. Have you checked to see if the front has the same measurements from side to side ? Possibly could be a front spring or component causing the car to sit the way it does

 

Hows the front height and tire pressures? Did you tighten the spring bolts on both sides with weight on axle? If you tightened with axle hanging the new bushings will hold the car up.

 

What about the rear of the body? Did you measure both sides of the bumper, rear panel, etc? Wheel wells might be a little different. Probably not 1/2" but that might account for some of the difference.

Is the front closer to level? Could a weak front spring be throwing the back off? If the left rear has been 2" lower than the right rear for some time maybe it caused a sag in the left front spring.

Others on here have noticed a list to the driver's side in their cars.

Would mounting the battery in the right side of the trunk fix it?

 

Awesome feedback - let's see...

Fuel tank was half full when we put on the springs - had a tilt. We took it out for a drive, filled it up, and pretty much the same tilt (maybe a tad more, but hardly discernable.)

Haven't checked all that - will do.

Actually we did tighten everything up while on jackstands - but we did both sides like that. Should I loosen and re-tighten the shackles while the car is on the ground?

Haven't checked - will do.

Again, haven't checked this yet, but the front has (fairly) new springs and shocks as well. Could the passenger side coil have been installed wrong...???

LOL - as we say down here in Texas: Ther'ya go!!!

 

Sounds like you have some front spring sag opposite corner of your high measurement

 

Oh...well that would suck as those are supposed to be new springs too. :16suspect

 

I have all new springs on my car and I still have a slight lean on the drivers side. This subject was discussed hr not long ago and frm what I gathered frm those post is, this may be an issue w/ a lot of these cars. My car leans somewhere arnd a 1/2 in. also. Im not to concerned abt it now. I have replaced all the springs and don't see much more I can do, or if it's an issue I shud be that concerned abt. Most people won't be able to tell it, only for the most part those of us who own these cars and looking for it.

 

Here is the step by step procedure on how to replace leaf springs: http://1bad6t.com/Maverick/repair/suspension_01.html

 

Learn something every day on here.