Last year a guy ran a red light and hit my truck on the pass. side, at the rear wheel. Ever since I got it back from the body shop it sits higher on the right side. The frame was bent,(still is somewhat i'm sure), new axle, outer hub assembly, new wheel, new bed side.
Anyways, I measured from the ground up to the fender well on each side, and from axle to frame. Both show about 3/4" higher on the pass. side. It's not too bad, but I plan on lowering the truck and I know that's going to make it show up worse.
I don't really want to mess with the body shop or have the frame messed with anymore(it rides and drives very good)
My idea is to shim the driver side between the axle and leaf.
I value yalls opinions and would like to see if that would be a decent fix or if anyone had a better idea.

 

Something is not straight with either the suspension (spring cracked or fatigued, shackle bent). I would'nt try to shim it up in an attempt to correct it. Doing so would only hide the symptoms of the true problem and not correct the problem itself.

If you do a visual inspection of the suspension components and all seems good then there's only one more thing left to do. As much as you dont want to hear it I gotta tell you that the best thing to do is bring it to a frame alignment specialist. They will chain it down on a rack and take critical measurements then pull it straight the way it should be.

BTW, when you want to measure the ride height correctly the best way to do it is to first place the vehicle on level ground, then measure from the floor up to the chassis. This is more accurate than measuring to some point on the body.

Good luck.

 

I've got a brand new truck (< 2000 Miles) with the exact same issue. The driver's side sits 1/2 - 3/4 inch lower than the right side. Had the dealer look at it today and they agree. Called Ford and no ideas. They suggested I drive it another 2K miles and see if it "self corrects". If not, they said they might replace a leaf spring or a shock.

 

Well, maybe it was like that before. Thanks, that will probably lean me towards checking the leafs a little closer. I wanted to possibly change to lightning springs anyway. Maybe that will straighten it up. I just can't tell where the problem is, the frame was all laser aligned and everything. Which makes me think the springs might just be off.


Welcome to f150online.com too

 

I spent some time last night crawling around under my truck, measuring from the floor to specific locations on the frame.

Mine is level at the front, but the rear left is 1/2" lower than the rear right. Also, the left shock is compressed about a 1/2" more. I wonder if it could be the added weight of the fuel tank on that side? It would have to be just the components, as mine is near empty right now.

I wonder if anyone else's trucks are off level like this?

 

Yeah, the fuel tank and driver on the left side, you would think they would compensate for that. As far I know both sets of springs are the same. I wonder if you could have the left side springs arched a lil more. Cause i'm sure it leans more when I get in it.
I crawled all around under mine too. I think it's definately in the springs, the distance from axle to frame has about the same amount of difference as ground to fender.

Maybe i'm just too picky, I just want the thing to sit pretty close to level.....

 

Mine is lower on the left rear also. Based on my posts and others it appears it's not uncommon for this to happen. I think it's poor design that the springs would do this. Have been planning to take it to a spring shop but just haven't got it done yet. I've always wondered if a set of Hellwig springs would cure the problem but no one seems to know for sure.

 

I'm going to take the leaf spring off and switch them around. Put the left on right and vicy versa. Just for the heck of it to see what that does. If the right side is then lower than the left side, that would definately be the springs fault.

 

I talked with my father-in-law this weekend. He's a retired chief mechanic for Hillsboro Ford (KS). He spent over 30 years working on Ford vehicles and says it's definately a spring issue. One of the springs is tighter than the other. Only fix is to replace one of them. By the way Svtoby, spent the weekend in your country. Reminds me how much I hate humidity!

Make sure to let us know what switching the springs around does!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Banker
....it's definately a spring issue. One of the springs is tighter than the other. Only fix is to replace one of them....

Does your father-in-law think a set of Hellwig helper springs would cure the problem?

 

I don't know. My wife will be talking to her mother later this week and I'll have her ask.

 

I just called two major Ford dealers in Denver and talked with service advisors. Both checked and the specs allow for 3/4" difference between sides. Like my father-in-law, they said we could switch out springs, but chances are it would still be off to some degree.

Apparently, this is just a fact of life!

 

I have to agree, the ride height of any given vehicle is rarely exactly equal. Consider that it would also be affected by the difference in weight between an empty or full tank of gas and also the weight of the driver too. If it's close enuff to keep you happy and not affect the alignment and performance of the suspension maybe you can live with it?

BTW, I remember being told that springs should always be replaced in matched pairs whenever possible but back then the cars used castor oil for lube and the dead sea was still sick.

Good luck.