Does your Ford lean to one side?
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Does your Ford lean to one side?
Hey all!
I have a 78 F100 2WD LWB that has around 105k on it and a 300 I6. The truck, no matter how level of a surface it is sitting on, leans to the passenger side. I have replaced the shocks and both coils up front and the truck still leans. I've noticed several trucks around my area leaning to one side as well, and sometimes it's the driver, and others the passenger.
Is this a common problem, and how do you fix it? The truck tracks straight, drives straight, and the body grooves all line up. I'm stumped!!!
Help??
Sam78
I have a 78 F100 2WD LWB that has around 105k on it and a 300 I6. The truck, no matter how level of a surface it is sitting on, leans to the passenger side. I have replaced the shocks and both coils up front and the truck still leans. I've noticed several trucks around my area leaning to one side as well, and sometimes it's the driver, and others the passenger.
Is this a common problem, and how do you fix it? The truck tracks straight, drives straight, and the body grooves all line up. I'm stumped!!!
Help??
Sam78
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Funny you should mention that. I just bought another Highboy, it has factory springs, and it leans to the driver side. This is not the first one I have seen that leans. I would imagine that the rear springs may have an effect on the trucks stance, as well as the front. As springs get old, they lose their ability to hold tension. Could also be body mounts that have crushed and are busted up.
I guess if the body lines are all straight, it would have to be the springs.
I guess if the body lines are all straight, it would have to be the springs.
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Thanks for the info guys, but I forgot to mention a few things.
My cab mounts were shot, so instead of welding them, I replaced the entire cab with one that didn't have rust. The bushings, from the bed forward, got replaced with brand new polyurethane bushings. Also, coils up front are new, shocks all the way around.
The strange part about it is that the back end is perfectly level. I can put a level on the rear bumper and it's right on the mark. Put the level on the hood or front bumper and it leans about a full bubble off to the passenger side.
Like I said, it has me completely stumped!!!!
My cab mounts were shot, so instead of welding them, I replaced the entire cab with one that didn't have rust. The bushings, from the bed forward, got replaced with brand new polyurethane bushings. Also, coils up front are new, shocks all the way around.
The strange part about it is that the back end is perfectly level. I can put a level on the rear bumper and it's right on the mark. Put the level on the hood or front bumper and it leans about a full bubble off to the passenger side.
Like I said, it has me completely stumped!!!!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Sam78:
I also have a F100 1978 long bed with a 300cid (inline) and manual trans that leans, on the rear only, to the driver's side. This was noticeable with the sagging stock rear springs, and the new(er) rear springs from a 1996 F150 (one extra leaf). On level ground the difference is about 1 to 1.5 inches (measured at center of fender-wheelwell). I am going to replace the front coils springs with a brand new set soon, as well as installing new shocks on all four wheels, and see if there are any improvements. I checked the cab mounts and bushings and all are in great shape (my truck is in near pristine condition, always garaged and only 120K miles). I am going to revise the settings (measurements) on the hangers/shackles (forget which one is the adjustable) and see if adjustments are possible. Raul
I also have a F100 1978 long bed with a 300cid (inline) and manual trans that leans, on the rear only, to the driver's side. This was noticeable with the sagging stock rear springs, and the new(er) rear springs from a 1996 F150 (one extra leaf). On level ground the difference is about 1 to 1.5 inches (measured at center of fender-wheelwell). I am going to replace the front coils springs with a brand new set soon, as well as installing new shocks on all four wheels, and see if there are any improvements. I checked the cab mounts and bushings and all are in great shape (my truck is in near pristine condition, always garaged and only 120K miles). I am going to revise the settings (measurements) on the hangers/shackles (forget which one is the adjustable) and see if adjustments are possible. Raul
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Measure from bottom of coil to top of coil, or some other reference points around the coil. Check if the measurement is equal or what is the differences. Maybe a bad coil.
How are the bushings (radius arms and I-beam bushings) and king pins?
How are the bushings (radius arms and I-beam bushings) and king pins?
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: iowa
another way that takes a little time but will eliminate some possibility is swap the springs side to side of the lean follows the spring swap it's the springs if it doesn't it's something else.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
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My 78 F100 definitely lists to port. I see it must be common. I would like to replace all 4 tired springs. Just way down on the project list.
But why do those leaf springs have to cost so much? The cost will keep them down there on the list for a while.
MasterMarine
But why do those leaf springs have to cost so much? The cost will keep them down there on the list for a while.
MasterMarine
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Montana Territory
The most common problem in these trucks (2wd for sure) is a cracked frame rail, right where the power steering gear box mounts. Mine leaned after new springs, shocks, & mounts. I moved the brake hose bracket and welded a 3/16" X 10" plate to beef up that area and it solved the lean problem. It took a few hours to get everything lined up, but it works well.
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Matts72:
Is a cracked frame rail easy to spot? I have recently been hearing a creaking (crakcking?) noise from the driver's side, particularly when turning left at low speed on an uneven surface (like my steep driveway; meaning I hear this almost everyday). I have checked the framerails and crossmembers carefully with lights an all and I can not spot any cracks on anything. I have suspected a broken motor mount (driver's side), but I can not see any cracks there either).
Several months ago I replaced all the front suspension bushings with polyurethane ones, and every greasable item has always been greased at every oil change. My steering is good, and I doubt I have worn kingpins. Should check the steering gear box mount by removing the gear box? The leaning on the rear driver's side plus the creacking noise on the front driver's side are telling I may have an issue with the frame, but so far I have not been able to see anything. Any tips on how to spot cracked frame rails will be appreciated. Thanks, Raul.
Is a cracked frame rail easy to spot? I have recently been hearing a creaking (crakcking?) noise from the driver's side, particularly when turning left at low speed on an uneven surface (like my steep driveway; meaning I hear this almost everyday). I have checked the framerails and crossmembers carefully with lights an all and I can not spot any cracks on anything. I have suspected a broken motor mount (driver's side), but I can not see any cracks there either).
Several months ago I replaced all the front suspension bushings with polyurethane ones, and every greasable item has always been greased at every oil change. My steering is good, and I doubt I have worn kingpins. Should check the steering gear box mount by removing the gear box? The leaning on the rear driver's side plus the creacking noise on the front driver's side are telling I may have an issue with the frame, but so far I have not been able to see anything. Any tips on how to spot cracked frame rails will be appreciated. Thanks, Raul.