73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: ScottD on December 24, 2013, 12:11:27 pm
-
My first post.... :). I recently purchased a 85 C10 in very good condition. The cab and box lean 1" lower towards the driver side and it really bugs me. I lowered the truck the summer and the lean is the same, so that tells me it that it must be the bushings. I was able to shim the box so its much closer, but the cab is still sagging. Most of the posts I read recommend replacing the cab bushings, but they don't get into detail on how to do it. Is this a DIY job if your an average mechanic? If so, can someone tell me where the bushings are and how to remove and replace them? I found some replacements at Classic Industries, so are they decent or should I consider Energy models? Any help or advice would be much appreciated.
-
Check the cab bushings/mounts and check for spring fatigue.
-
I would really look closely at the left (drivers side) coil spring. My 82 I had that same lean going on, I found a 1/2 coil broken at the top where it wasn't easily seen.
-
It's more typical to have fatigued rear leaf springs which causes the lean/twist. You can measure from a fixed point on the top of the spring to the frame for a quick check from side to side. Just ensure its on the same lateral plane
-
Once you break the bolts loose (they may be rusted), cab bushings are fairly easy to replace. I did mine one at a time in the driveway with only some wood blocks and a small hydraulic jack to lift up the cab on one side at a time. however, there are two bushings in the front behind the bumper where the bolts are hard to reach. I ended up buying a special box end wrench set at Lowes that gave me the right clearance.
I used poly bushings instead of stock rubber, and found that the poly bushings squeak quite a bit in normal driving as the cab moves. Some other brands of poly bushings are graphite-impregnated, which probably reduces the squeaking.
Bruce
-
If you use the energy poly bushings you still use the stock upper cup with the sleeve? When I did mine I lost those and just used the bushings and supplied washers but I need to go back in there and do something because I have a driver side sag and a lil pop when turning right