truck leans
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Elder User
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From: Michigan
truck leans
I installed x springs on my truck and notice that it leans to the drivers side about 3/4-1". normally i wouldnt mind but it causes my plow to clean real good on the drivers side but the passengers side doesnt do so well. What is the best way to correct this? put the truck frame on jack stands and loosen up the springs letting them hang loose and then re tighten?
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: IL, USA
You want to torque the suspension with the weight of the vehicle on the it....so with the truck on the ground.
It could be that way if it was torqued with the weight off of the suspension or it could be the trac bar pulling the driver's side down.
When you swapped springs did you disconnect the trac bar?
It could be that way if it was torqued with the weight off of the suspension or it could be the trac bar pulling the driver's side down.
When you swapped springs did you disconnect the trac bar?
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Elder User
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From: Michigan
nope DC, didnt even think about disconnecting the trac bar. so should i loosen the u bolts all up, then re torque them with the truck on the ground? on second though what exactly should i do. 
already screwed it up once.
already screwed it up once.
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Elder User
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From: Michigan
ok cool thanks DC. what are the torque specs for the u bolts? cant remember where i saw it at.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 819
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From: Putnam Valley, New York
Lean
Hi,
Besides loosening and retorquing the U-Bolts, loosen all of the spring eye bolts and retorque them also. If the bushings are twisted, it could cause the truck to lean. I installed the "X" springs a couple of weeks ago, and my truck is no more than 1/4" different from side to side.
====================================
Torque figures are as follows:
U-Bolts 99 ft/lbs
Front eye bolt 203 ft/lbs
Rear eye bolt 185 ft/lbs
I hope you have strong arms---or a long torque wrench !!!
That rear shackle eye bolt is a bear to do while laying on the ground. You can do it on stands--just make sure that the stands are under the ends of the front axle, and the entire weight of the front of the truck is on the stands--Front wheels off the ground. If you are going to do it that way, be careful that you DO NOT pull the truck off of the jack stands while tightening the eye bolts.
RON
P.S. Ford does offer shims for a leaning truck, but they are only 3/8" thick and you can only use 1 per side, unless you can find a center bolt with a longer head. The part number of the shim is D7TZ-5742-A. All it is, is a 3/8" thick piece of steel with a hole in the center for the head of the center bolt.
Besides loosening and retorquing the U-Bolts, loosen all of the spring eye bolts and retorque them also. If the bushings are twisted, it could cause the truck to lean. I installed the "X" springs a couple of weeks ago, and my truck is no more than 1/4" different from side to side.
====================================
Torque figures are as follows:
U-Bolts 99 ft/lbs
Front eye bolt 203 ft/lbs
Rear eye bolt 185 ft/lbs
I hope you have strong arms---or a long torque wrench !!!
That rear shackle eye bolt is a bear to do while laying on the ground. You can do it on stands--just make sure that the stands are under the ends of the front axle, and the entire weight of the front of the truck is on the stands--Front wheels off the ground. If you are going to do it that way, be careful that you DO NOT pull the truck off of the jack stands while tightening the eye bolts.
RON
P.S. Ford does offer shims for a leaning truck, but they are only 3/8" thick and you can only use 1 per side, unless you can find a center bolt with a longer head. The part number of the shim is D7TZ-5742-A. All it is, is a 3/8" thick piece of steel with a hole in the center for the head of the center bolt.
Last edited by Rongold; Dec 23, 2004 at 07:39 PM.
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From: All Over
Originally Posted by Rongold
P.S. Ford does offer shims for a leaning truck, but they are only 3/8" thick and you can only use 1 per side, unless you can find a center bolt with a longer head. The part number of the shim is D7TZ-5742-A. All it is, is a 3/8" thick piece of steel with a hole in the center for the head of the center bolt.
Thoughts?
Last edited by Bear Hunter; Dec 23, 2004 at 07:44 PM.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
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From: West MI
Funny you should mention that. I had that same shim on my truck when it was stock...after getting the lift installed I found out that hole in the shim prevented the center bolt from maintaining postive contact on the other side. In other words the center bolt is only so long...so when you add the shim it takes away from the integrity of what the center bolt is supposed to do...because it is now effectively shorter. What I saw was barley any bolt left on the other side...which cant be good IMO.
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From: All Over
Originally Posted by ishmael2k
Check with a local body shop or off road facility. There are extensions available for the center bolts. We had to install a double set of camber shims on an older 2wd Superduty and needed the extensions to maintain a postive contact.
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Elder User
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From: Michigan
update, i removed my front x springs to check them over and make sure nothing was wrong with them. i even switched them to remove any doubt that it was the springs. well my truck still leans about 1/2" which isnt that bad but still not the best.
when i re installed the springs i didnt torque the u bolts or shackes until the truck was off the jack stands. i even rocked the truck around to get everything to seat correctly. then i torqued the u bolts and shackles. i didnt mess with the trac bar at all. the tire pressure is correct all the way around so its not that. what else could it be?? aaaahhhh
would and an adjustable trac bar help?
when i re installed the springs i didnt torque the u bolts or shackes until the truck was off the jack stands. i even rocked the truck around to get everything to seat correctly. then i torqued the u bolts and shackles. i didnt mess with the trac bar at all. the tire pressure is correct all the way around so its not that. what else could it be?? aaaahhhh
would and an adjustable trac bar help?
Last edited by 04superduty; Jan 1, 2005 at 03:56 PM.