I just replaced the rear leaf springs in my truck. The height from the ground to the center (as close as I could guesstimate) of the wheel well is about ½ - ¾" off. Not sure there is much I can do to adjust that. My real question is, is there an alignment procedure to make sure the rear end is aligned and tracking right. I do not mean me doing it, but taking it in to have a shop align it. Is there anything they can check and adjust if there is something not right. Is it recommended to have an alignment if the leaf springs were replaced? The rear axle did move tilt while doing each side minimally, and can only assume it went back to the proper location.

Any thoughts on it?

 

If you want a rough idea of how the truck is tracking have someone else drive it in a straight line and follow behind. If the truck is "dog trotting" (the rear end is off to one side or the other) it will be evident. If it's straight in line you're good.

I don't know of any way to adjust the alignment of a solid axle, leaf spring type rear end. Maybe others can help if there's a way.

 

As far as linear tracking/thrust alignment goes, drive it straight down a soft dirt road and look at the tracks to see if the rears are following directly behind the fronts. If you find evidence of off-tracking, measure diagonally from the center of the front ball joints to a given point on the rear axle flanges.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will give the "soft dirt" a try. Actually now it might be snow. All the dirt around here is frozen. I may have the wife drive the truck down the road to and see how it looks.... I have seen numerous trucks similar to what has been described as "dog tracking"

 

Im gonna say that there is no adjustment to the rear end. ive been wrong before, but, since you did it yourself you should be able to follow me. the front of the springs are mounted solid, unless the bolt hole is egged out they cant be out of position. the rear of the spring, and shackle are bolted solid but can pivot. so again if the whole isnt egged out it has to be straight. the center of the spring is clamped by the U bolts to the axle. The axle has a hole that the locating pin goes into. if either the hole or pin are egged out or worn down it could be off but i would think very minimally. if everything was properly installed there should be no reason for it to be off. if your rear shocks are junk then maybe, but even if they have 0 charge the internals should keep them straight. ive replaced rears on 3 different f150s and never check for dog walking, nor had a problem.
i wouldnt be worried about the hieght difference, with time, it may come back. I was told once by somone that worked at a garage that when they replaced springs they would get 4-5 guys to jump up and down in the bed to articulate the rear suspension, to take let it self align if you will.

 

Mark,

Thanks for the re-affirmation. That is pretty much what I had went with (everything is pretty solid and located for you! Plus the springs will settle at the back where they do). However, when I did a rude and crude dimensional check.. the drivers side is slightly off from the passenger side. Again, the rude and crude check is to estimate the center of the wheel, measure from center of front wheel (also did a different point on body). It is off about a 1/2" at most. the height issue is different on the passenger side and drivers side. I guess it is possible for the truck to find it's actual point at some time. Plus I am sure the springs have their own characteristics.

 

yeah id recheck it after a 100 miles or so and see if it changes. after looking at the one im about to buy, the gas tank sits on pass side if i remmebr correctly, a full tank vrs empty tank could yeild different numbers. its a ford it could be 3 inches off and it would still be better than a chebby

 

Good point. The tank is on the driver's side on mine, and it was empty (less than 1/4). I filled it yesterday, will have to check that out.

 

Just spitballin', did you torque all the bushing pins and shackles with the truck on a lift, or weight on the ground? All new bushings, etc? Think I've read the bushing pins should be able to turn, though not by hand. Possibly one side is hanging up high? Better send send some FTE fellers over to jump up and down on the bed!

 

All bolts were torqued after the wheels were back on and the truck on the ground... did not install new shackles or bushings in the shackles. They seemed to move freely as I lowered the truck. So.. I feel fairly confident the bushings were okay... I'll give it a week to see if it does anything different, just seems weird that one side is a different height.. but from all the suggestions and comments I may not let it worry me and move a long!

Thanks!

 

Finally got someone at the company I bought these springs from to talk with me. Long story short, they sent out different set (heavier set) and after they were installed the truck was back to normal stock height. In checking the two springs before installation, the original set they sent were not as arched and just did not look the same. I still believe they sent the wrong set the first time. All is good now.

 

"dog walking"?...

 

It when your rear end is not tracking directly straight behind the front. Ever watched a dog run or walk at a quick pace going away from you. His rear hip and hind legs will be cocked to one side or the other hence "dog walking"