Driver side lower than passenger side
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2005
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Driver side lower than passenger side
I recently purchased a 1999 Ranger 3.0 v6 standard cab stepside with 67000 miles on it.
Truck is in great condition. Seems it was garage kept and well maintained.
I noticed that when parked, the drivers side of the truck appeared to be lower than the passenger side. I assumed many times that this was just due to unlevel ground. However yesterday I parked on a nice flat level surface and noticed it still seemed lower.
I grabbed a tape measure and measured from the ground to the top rounded edge of the wheel well and sure enough, the front and rear is about one inch lower than the passenger side. I then thought, well that could be due to tire inflation. So I then measured from the center of the wheel hub to the same point on the wheel well. I got the same result, one inch lower than passenger side.
Any ideas on this?
Truck is in great condition. Seems it was garage kept and well maintained.
I noticed that when parked, the drivers side of the truck appeared to be lower than the passenger side. I assumed many times that this was just due to unlevel ground. However yesterday I parked on a nice flat level surface and noticed it still seemed lower.
I grabbed a tape measure and measured from the ground to the top rounded edge of the wheel well and sure enough, the front and rear is about one inch lower than the passenger side. I then thought, well that could be due to tire inflation. So I then measured from the center of the wheel hub to the same point on the wheel well. I got the same result, one inch lower than passenger side.
Any ideas on this?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
first of all check front suspention and leaf springs for damage. may be controll arm is bent, ore spring is broken.
be sure frame is not bent, bracets are ok.
Then if nothing cracked/bent try to understand what spring is lower then other and change both the springs on axe.
be sure frame is not bent, bracets are ok.
Then if nothing cracked/bent try to understand what spring is lower then other and change both the springs on axe.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
If it's a 2WD, then this TSB might apply:
Article No. 99-3-7
SUSPENSION - LEFT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE APPEARS LOW - 2-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS ONLY
Publication Date: FEBRUARY 15, 1999
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
1. Determine if the lean is a body lean concern or a frame lean concern.
a. Measure frame - measure from the top of the axle tube at the jounce bumper to bottom flange of the frame (both sides).
b. 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.
c. 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.
2. 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.
3. To fix a suspension (frame) lean concern:
a. Swap the left rear leaf spring with the right leaf spring.
b. Verify fix by performing visual inspection and by measurement specifications (reference Steps 1a-1c).
c. If lean is still present, leave swapped springs in place and insert Leaf Spring Shim (E3TZ-5742-A) under the left leaf spring.
NOTE: DO NOT STACK MORE THAN ONE (1) SHIM PER SIDE FOR SHIMMING.
NOTE: REFERENCE THE 1998 OR 1999 RANGER WORKSHOP MANUAL, SECTION 204-00, FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
d. 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. Refer to the 1998 Ranger Workshop Manual, Page 204-01A-20, for details.
NOTE: WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS MANDATORY AFTER PERFORMING STEP 3d.
e. Perform a wheel alignment. Refer to 1998 or 1999 Ranger Workshop Manual, Section 204-00.
f. Verify fix by performing visual inspection and by measurement specifications; reference Steps 1a-1c.
PART NUMBER / PART NAME
XL5Z-5355-AA / Front Coil Spring Shim
E3TZ-5742-A ' Leaf Spring Shim
SUSPENSION - LEFT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE APPEARS LOW - 2-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS ONLY
Publication Date: FEBRUARY 15, 1999
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
1. Determine if the lean is a body lean concern or a frame lean concern.
a. Measure frame - measure from the top of the axle tube at the jounce bumper to bottom flange of the frame (both sides).
b. 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.
c. 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.
2. 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.
3. To fix a suspension (frame) lean concern:
a. Swap the left rear leaf spring with the right leaf spring.
b. Verify fix by performing visual inspection and by measurement specifications (reference Steps 1a-1c).
c. If lean is still present, leave swapped springs in place and insert Leaf Spring Shim (E3TZ-5742-A) under the left leaf spring.
NOTE: DO NOT STACK MORE THAN ONE (1) SHIM PER SIDE FOR SHIMMING.
NOTE: REFERENCE THE 1998 OR 1999 RANGER WORKSHOP MANUAL, SECTION 204-00, FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
d. 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. Refer to the 1998 Ranger Workshop Manual, Page 204-01A-20, for details.
NOTE: WHEEL ALIGNMENT IS MANDATORY AFTER PERFORMING STEP 3d.
e. Perform a wheel alignment. Refer to 1998 or 1999 Ranger Workshop Manual, Section 204-00.
f. Verify fix by performing visual inspection and by measurement specifications; reference Steps 1a-1c.
PART NUMBER / PART NAME
XL5Z-5355-AA / Front Coil Spring Shim
E3TZ-5742-A ' Leaf Spring Shim
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