Author Topic: Any idea why my truck leans?  (Read 10597 times)

Offline Da67goatman

  • Site Supporters
  • Junior Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 758
  • Burban
Any idea why my truck leans?
« on: June 14, 2010, 11:21:59 am »
My truck leans to the drivers side real bad.  Ive been trying to track down the cause but have had no luck.  First i thought it was the badly repaired sway bar mount so i removed them and built my own heavy duty mounts.  Then I thought maybe the springs were sagging, but they have the same distance to the bump stops so they should be sit even.  I replaced the control arm bushings and ball joints about a 4 months ago so they are still good.  I am out of ideas, does anyone have another idea?  The pics are there for reference on how badly it leans about 2 1/2".  That part of the floor is level so the measurements are accurate.
<Pitcrew>
1989 R2500 Suburban mild 350 TBI 700r4 10.5" 14bolt 4.10 w/ 33s
1992 fullsize Blazer 4x4  35s no lift, 4.10s, Hella driving lights, TJ Flares, Huge bumpers, Snorkel, custom interior

Offline Da67goatman

  • Site Supporters
  • Junior Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 758
  • Burban
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2010, 11:24:58 am »
Whoops, forgot to include what truck it is. Its a 1989 Suburban 3/4 ton 2wd.
<Pitcrew>
1989 R2500 Suburban mild 350 TBI 700r4 10.5" 14bolt 4.10 w/ 33s
1992 fullsize Blazer 4x4  35s no lift, 4.10s, Hella driving lights, TJ Flares, Huge bumpers, Snorkel, custom interior

Offline topp

  • Frequent Member
  • **
  • Posts: 498
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2010, 01:06:47 pm »
bent frame?
Bent body?
bent suspension?
how does it sit from the back?
'90 Suburban TBI 350

Offline Grim 82

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1651
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2010, 01:18:13 pm »
Body mounts or shocks?
Give a man a gun, and he might rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he might rob the world.

Offline Da67goatman

  • Site Supporters
  • Junior Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 758
  • Burban
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2010, 01:26:38 pm »
From the back it leans very slightly to the passenger side.  I haven't noticed any suspension components being bent, but i did notice that the bumper gap is different on each end of the bumper, the bumper runs uphill to the driver's side.  I reinstalled the core support mounts yesterday when I finished installing my front hitch, i had to remove the rivets and bolt them back in place.  As far as I know, the truck has never been in any accidents, and the frame looks straight from under the truck.  Shocks are on my list of things to replace, but I won't get to them for a while.  Thanks for the help guys.  I'll start checking the core support for squareness, and double check the suspension.
<Pitcrew>
1989 R2500 Suburban mild 350 TBI 700r4 10.5" 14bolt 4.10 w/ 33s
1992 fullsize Blazer 4x4  35s no lift, 4.10s, Hella driving lights, TJ Flares, Huge bumpers, Snorkel, custom interior

Offline jaredts

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1330
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2010, 06:21:19 am »
Is there any significant rust under the cab?  Have you measured from your garage floor to several points on the truck like to the cab mounts, bottom of frame, etc.?  You need to determine if the frame is setting level and its just the body or the frame and all.  Inspect the body bushings for shims or damage.

Offline Da67goatman

  • Site Supporters
  • Junior Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 758
  • Burban
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #6 on: June 16, 2010, 02:17:35 pm »
Spent all day yesterday and today measuring and found out that a couple body mounts had shifted causing the lean.  I will have to address that pretty soon when i swap for poly mounts.  Thanks for the help guys.
<Pitcrew>
1989 R2500 Suburban mild 350 TBI 700r4 10.5" 14bolt 4.10 w/ 33s
1992 fullsize Blazer 4x4  35s no lift, 4.10s, Hella driving lights, TJ Flares, Huge bumpers, Snorkel, custom interior

Offline mdws1987

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 43
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #7 on: June 25, 2010, 12:45:06 pm »
I noticed my 87 R10 is 1 inch higher on the passenger side front and back. I measured at rear lights and the front side markers in my garage. I have not looked into what is causing this..

Offline dueprocess

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 52
  • My 8yr old's tonka toy!
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2010, 01:43:39 pm »
relaxed spring or coil!! Have had that more than my fair share of times! LOL
1978 Chevy K10 / 454bbc / Dana 44 with chromoly axles / 6in susp & 3in BL / 38.50x15 Boggers(rims 15x14)!

Offline Da67goatman

  • Site Supporters
  • Junior Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 758
  • Burban
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2010, 11:59:41 am »
I replaced all my body mounts with polyurethane and it still leaned, but after replacing my front sway bar bushing with poly, the lean was corrected.  My best guess was that the sway bar mount on the drivers side control arm was bent causing excessive play allowing the truck to lean before the sway bar had any effect.  All is well now.
<Pitcrew>
1989 R2500 Suburban mild 350 TBI 700r4 10.5" 14bolt 4.10 w/ 33s
1992 fullsize Blazer 4x4  35s no lift, 4.10s, Hella driving lights, TJ Flares, Huge bumpers, Snorkel, custom interior

Offline Swims350

  • Junior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
    • Cars and trucks
Re: Any idea why my truck leans?
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2010, 01:33:17 pm »
I would have to agree with all of the above, either rust, or bent metal frame or body, bushings worn or missing, if not then has to be worn suspension bushing, or parts such as springs, coil or leaf.
See all our rides and projects at:

www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454