Sag
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Waynesboro, PA
There could be a few different possibilities but most likely it is a warn/damaged leaf spring. The shocks usually do not control ride height, they are just for the ride comfort. The leaf spring is what is usually the culprit.
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From: Waynesboro, PA
Look at the right side and see if the leaf spring are aligned the same way. Usually if they are a little off then that isn't the problem but if you notice a big difference then that could be a problem. If it is just a little off you might want to actually try the shocks, when I first read the post, I didn't catch that it was such a small difference. How many miles do you have on your shocks? Try bouncing on the rear of the truck and see how long it takes for the truck to stabilize. It should stop pretty quick, if it doesn't then it definately could be the shocks.
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They are motorcraft shocks, so they could be the stock ones, I have only had the truck since last august, so no way to be certain. I was planning on chaning shocks out within the week anyway so we will see what happens.
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I added rancho add-a leaf helpers and it leveled out the truck and restored ride height $89.00
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It is not the shocks. Your shocks may indeed need to be replaced, but shocks do not support a vehicle, they just keep it from bouncing. You could remove both rear shocks and your truck would still sit at exactly the same level, it would just bounce all over the place when you hit even a small bump. Only coil over shocks or air shocks help support. It's a spring problem for sure. Alot of F150's have the have misaligned rear springs especially if you take your truck offroad. If I were you I would start by fixing that problem and then continue from there if necessary. Good luck
Last edited by B_7700_4X4; Mar 27, 2005 at 04:19 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: TX
My 97 sags a little in the rear left side also. But that shock is noticably compressed more than the other. Would it still be springs? If the springs are replaced would that shock "equalize" with the other?
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From: Southwestern Pa.
When I went from air springs to regular coils on the 85 continental I was advised by the spring suplier to change the shock/struts also to obtain the correct ride height, which I did. The shocks and struts are gas charged. I don't believe that they add much but I do believe they add a little. That being said I would closely inspect the rear leafs. I've pulled spings that I thought had 1 broken leaf only to find several broken. The cracks are small. My 98 had a leaf poking out and I simply drove it in with a BFH. That will tell you if it is broke! 
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I guess gas charged shocks might be a different story, I don't have any experience with them. I was refering to normal oil filled shocks.
I don't know alot about the spring misalignment issue, but if you search you will find something because I know I read about it in here more than once. I think there is an old thread in here somewhere where I guy has pictures of the problem and everything. I think he just loosened the U bolts and drove the leafs back into place, and then re torqued the bolts, but I'm not certain of this.
I don't know alot about the spring misalignment issue, but if you search you will find something because I know I read about it in here more than once. I think there is an old thread in here somewhere where I guy has pictures of the problem and everything. I think he just loosened the U bolts and drove the leafs back into place, and then re torqued the bolts, but I'm not certain of this.
Last edited by B_7700_4X4; Mar 27, 2005 at 07:52 PM.
