Van Leaning to one side

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Aug 11, 2005 | 10:01 PM

forder

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 53

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Van Leaning to one side

Hi everyone and thank you all for your helpful suggestions in the past. I have an `89 E150 302 138" wheelbase. It is equipped with a wheelchair lift and has a power sliding door. It has the original rear leaf springs. It is leaning to the passenger side (probably from the weight of the lift). Took a body to tire measurement on both rears and there is approx a 2" difference in height. Would I be able to correct the 2" difference with a bolt on full length helper spring? Or do I need to have that spring replaced? Any other suggestions? Other than the leaning issue, the van rides and handles great.

Aug 12, 2005 | 10:58 AM

Ian F

Elder User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 512

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How long has the lift been installed? If since new, the springs may be shot. Helpers may.. help... but replacing the springs would be preferred and add the helper springs.

Aug 13, 2005 | 01:05 AM

crab453

Junior User

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 75

Likes: 0

From: Indianapolis

Mine is a 2003 model, and has had a wheelchair lift for three months...it leans into the lift a good bit.

Aug 13, 2005 | 01:46 PM

pfogle

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 8,140

Likes: 4

From: Oak Harbor, OH

It need to have heavier springs and overload shocks installed.

Aug 18, 2005 | 03:01 AM

kevin-11

Senior User

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 154

Likes: 1

From: Long Island, New York

Replace the Springs

After a good amount of time the spring on the left side will sag from the weight. A helper spring would be a waste of money. You could get set of spings from junk yard. Or you could go to spring shop and have them re-arced and a leaf added. If you go this way I would get a spring from Junkyard and have the spring shop use that instead of the old one for the fact that the old one is probably pretty shot. How about ordering new springs on line. I saw a part that they mount on the spring side with a screw bolt to help level the side out. I forgot where I saw it but when I find it I will post the site for you. Get new springs and shocks if you plan on keeping it, probanly $400 or so.

Aug 18, 2005 | 03:34 PM

swgaspidey

Freshman User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 36

Likes: 0

From: SW Corner of Georgia

You could install a set of air bag to help level the load and it will also raise the ride hight back to normal and could be cheaper than replacing the leaf springs.