So today while I was at work I realized my truck looked like it was sitting a little lower on the passenger side. Took a tape measure to it and sure enough the pass side is sitting about an inch and a half lower. Checked the suspension on it everything looked intact. Not sure what the PO did but was thinking maybe the shock was blown out on that side. Any suggestions. Trucks a 95 f250

 

Shocks should not have anything to do with a sag as there intended function is only for dampening.

However, that said, sometimes people put on air shocks or or shocks with springs, but still a 1-1/2" is a bit much for a shock.

I would suspect a broken spring leaf from your description and the amount of sag.

David

 

Ya i figured as much to but when i measured the actual shock itself from top to bottom there was an inch diff between the two. Could the broken leaf be contributing to the one shock being slightly shorter that the other?

 

Yes.

Also, Check your front AND rear leaf springs for any broken leafs.

 

I looked and saw no broken leafs or even cracks. Even looked at both sides and it looked like both passenger and driver front leafs were at the same reverse bow to the leafs. Anything else to look at or for?

 

So just took the shock off and can compress it by hand without much force and then it extends back out slowly..... very slowly. So i will replace it anyway. But what am i looking for like a spring just split in half completely or something less noticeable.

 

The most obvious would be to look for a leaf that is broken (split in half). Doesn't sound like that's the case for you though. Maybe the springs are just sagging due to old age?

 

You may just be dealing with a spring that has lost its "spring" and cannot support the weight anymore. Normally you would replace springs in pairs, both sides at once.

Still, cracks in springs are sometimes pretty well hidden and do not show up until the spring pack is taken apart.

Remember, as Ford designed your truck, the shocks HAVE NO PART in carrying any weight. That is the springs job. The shocks simply provide dampening action to keep from bouncing several times after the spring absorbs a impact and then rebounds.

So really, shocks should have zero effect on a lean, unless one was frozen to a paticular length, too short as in the case of a lifted truck and/or someone has tried to make up for failing springs by adding a extra helper spring around the shock.

One other thought would be a bent or failing rusted frame, to where the frame, spring perch, or perches on one side are collapsing.

Thinking as well a ltttle farther, check the spring eye bushings, although I can't see a 1-1/2" amount of play there without a lot of suspension noise. How about the shackles Has one side been replaced with a diferent length one? This again is not likely, but part of a general inspection to try and pin things down.

David

 

I looked and saw no broken leafs or even cracks.

 

Great information sorry about the stupid questions just trying to figure things out for the time being want to put a lift on it so i guess getting my lift/ replacing the springs may come a little earlier that expected. But i did think just maybe the springs were getting old and not being able to support themselves anymore being that the truck has 180k on prob stock springs and was used for hauling and fourwheeling so I guess I will have to take them off and take a close look at them.

 

Naw, no appologies needed! No stupid questions asked, in fact i would say the only stupid question that I have ever thought is stupid is one that is not asked.. and it causes problems.

There are lots of good people on here just waiting and wanting to help.

Enjoy your Ford!

David

 

O trust me I enjoy every day i have it. Even this morning when i went to start it and the key wouldnt trip the ignition. So I got out and touched the two ends of the solenoid together.... fired right up and off i drove still smiling lol. But when i shut it off no prob starting back up with the key.... little odd. But I will keep posted on the suspension as to what happens or what I find tomorrow.

 

My 90 F250 does that every once in a while, just a click, I click it several times and away it goes. Bad statrter solinoid.

As designed, the plate that raises up to make the high amperage contact for the starter rotates ever so slightly everytime it goes up and down. When it gets to the spot that has arced enough / dirty enough not to make contact, I just click it until the plate rotates to a cleaner area.

I have a new soliniod, takes what 5 min to replace it, but I guess I want to get my moneys worth out of the old one, besides I can just jump across it like you did - that is advantage of the fender mounted soliniods over the starter mounted soliniods.. easy to get to! (as well as not having the soliniod do two jobs , IE not only make the high amperage contact, but pull in the bendix as well)

Too much fun driving I guess to want to work on it!

David

 

No see mine didn't even click when I hit the ignition everything lit up and came on like it was supposed to but when i hit the ignition it didn't even click. Tried several times then was just like screw it ill just touch them together lol. But then it hasnt done it since.

 

ahh, I see. It sounds like you might have to dig a little deeper on teh start issue, but I would check for voltage present at the small start terminal on the solinoid when attempting to crank the next time this happens. It could still be a bad soliniod even though it is not clicking. Hopefulls so as it is the easiest part to replace!

David