I have a 00 4X2 2.5L Ranger. I noticed that my truck sits lower on the drivers side than on the passenger side by about 3/4" to 1". I measured from the center of the bolt that holds the rear leaf spring in (the rear bolt).

Is this normal?

Thanks

 

Regarding the front suspension, if anything it should sit a tad higher on the driver's side to compensate for the driver's weight. I get the impression you're talking only about the rear, though, and there it should sit level (or only just slightly higher on the driver's side, as a carryover from the front suspension). You should inspect or have inspected the leaf springs. Have you been hauling a lot of heavy loads? Oh, and a dumb question: have you checked that your tire pressures are equal on either side?

 

Sometimes, when I park my truck on a flat level surface, steering wheels straight ahead, and it looks like my truck is off level by about the same 3/4 inch you mean. Other times, I can park in the exact same spot, again, steering wheels straight ahead, and be sitting perfectly level and straight.

It might just be your suspension is a little "wound up" and hasn't deflected back to normal. Do you let your truck "roll back" before you apply the parking brake?

 

All tire pressures are correct;tires the same. Truck is on a level/flat service. Gas tank is near empty. No one in the vehicle when measuring. I have checked it several time and no change. I have had it alligned recently. They said caster/camber was within specs. The truck has new shocks all the way around. If I jack up the left rear(LR) I can get ride height to be the same all the way around the truck.

I have already replaced the LR leaf spring... There was no change. I'm wondering if the RR leaf spring is extra stiff on my truck or something. I bought the used leaf springs as a pair. I'm thinking the RR is extra stiff or something;Did not settle in like a usual spring or something...

I was very disappointed after replacing the LR spring and it did not fix it. It's a lot of work doing this.

I'm going to jack the front up, by the frame rails, and check ride height again in the back (to the rear leaf spring bolts). That should tell me something as to wheather it is the front or back.

It's not really that noticeable, because there is alot of wheel clearance already.

And yes, I did haul something in the back of the truck that was really heavy several times a short distance. I am the third owner. Not sure if ride height was missed up when I bought it.

 

There's a TSB on this problem, drop me an email if you want a copy.

 

Ken would you consider posting it here as im interested in this one too otherwise please can you email it to me thanks
Bob

 

Article No.
99-3-7 SUSPENSION - LEFT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE APPEARS LOW - 2-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS ONLY

LIGHT TRUCK: 1998-99 RANGER


This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to add 1999 model year vehicles, revise the Service Procedure, and add a Service Part.

ISSUE:
A low sitting appearance on the left rear side may occur on some vehicles due to variability in manufacturing between the rear springs.

ACTION:
Swap the springs from side to side, shim the springs or replace them. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: VEHICLES WITH A SUSPENSION SAG OR THAT ARE LOW IN THE REAR ARE USUALLY OVERLOADED BEYOND RATED CAPACITIES. INSTALLING A HEAVIER OR AUXILIARY SPRING IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE REPAIR AS OTHER COMPONENTS ARE ALSO LIKELY TO BE OVERLOADED. COMPARE THE ACTUAL VEHICLE WEIGHT TO THE RATINGS ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL.



Determine if the lean is a body lean concern or a frame lean concern.
Measure frame - measure from the top of the axle tube at the jounce bumper to bottom flange of the frame (both sides).
Determine body contribution - measure from the center of the wheel lip to the ground (both sides) and subtract the frame measurement from the above Step 1a.
If the frame measurements from Step 1a are consistent from side-to-side, then the concern is a suspension lean, otherwise the concern is a body lean.
If it is a body lean condition, refer to the 1998 or 1999 Ranger Workshop Manual, Section 204-00, for further details. If it is not a body lean condition, go to Step 3.
To fix a suspension (frame) lean concern:
Swap the left rear leaf spring with the right leaf spring.
Verify fix by performing visual inspection and by measurement specifications (reference Steps 1a-1c).
NOTE: DO NOT STACK MORE THAN ONE (1) SHIM PER SIDE FOR SHIMMING.



If lean is still present, leave swapped springs in place and insert Leaf Spring Shim (E3TZ-5742-A) under the left leaf spring.
NOTE: REFERENCE THE 1998 OR 1999 RANGER WORKSHOP MANUAL, SECTION 204-00, FOR FURTHER DETAILS.



If lean is still present, leave swapped springs and shim in place and insert Front Coil Spring Shim (XL5Z-5355-AA) between the frame spring pocket and spring-rubber insulator ( Figure 1 ). Refer to the 1998 Ranger Workshop Manual, Page 204-01A-20, for details.
NOTE: WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS MANDATORY AFTER PERFORMING STEP 3d.



Perform a wheel alignment. Refer to 1998 or 1999 Ranger Workshop Manual, Section 204-00.
Verify fix by performing visual inspection and by measurement specifications; reference Steps 1a-1c.

 

What does rolling the truck back before putting on the e-brake do?

 

Thanks KEN, I'm going to swap the originals and see what happens. Looks like maybe they got the springs on backward at the factory. Oh well, I needed something to do anyways.... the junk yard didn't mention which spring was left and right. I'm going to switch the originals and report back here... about a 2 hour job...


Thanks

 

It sort of "unwinds" the suspension a little bit, as far as your driveline will allow. Like parking on a hill, you apply the parking brake after you put it in park, but before you let go of the brake pedal. You won't roll back or forward onto the parking pin.

Since your brakes are holding the wheel one way, and the driveline is trying to hold the wheel the other way, so the suspension is the only variable that is free to flex.

 

Well, some improvement. As I indicated, I went to the junk yard and got two USED matching springs. They both are on the truck now (same serial numbers on the springs). They are also F87A spings like the originals. I only have 1/2 - 3/4" body contribution now between the rear tires. I'm now going to put the original RR spring on the LR and see what happens. The RR spring rear was originally 3/4/" - 1" higher than the original LR spring.

P.S. My original springs have "Made in Mexico" stamped on them. The used ones do not. The used ones are said to be off a 99 truck. However, someone wrought 2001 on the springs with a crayon.... so what the .... The used springs serial numbers match.


I'm getting fast a swapping springs .....

 

Oh, and my neighbors don't really know what to say to me anymore!!! I'm always screwing w/ this truck. Hey its BEEN payed for long ago what can I say... I'm having fun fixing whats wrong.

Thanks

 

How much did the used springs run you. I have the same lean on my 93. If it's not too much ca$h, then I might look into it. Also, how much work is it to swap the springs.

 

Bigrigfixer: What if the truck is a stick? Not apply?

 

My '96 B2300 Mazda slants to the driver's side the same way. It's quite noticable from the back.

My '98 Explorer 4wd also slants to the driver's side.

I've noticed other Explorers and Rangers/Bs doing the same. I say it's some sort of a design flaw.

Ken, is there a TSB on this for other years ? like my '96 B2300 or my '98 Explorer ?