Ok i am at my wits end. The damm trucks still leans. I have replaced the following for this reason or others: two alignments, strut rod bushings, front and rear shocks, front springs. Am i overlooking anything. I have heard balljoints, wheel bearings, steering linkages. My old shop teacher said to measure the spot between leaf spring mount and frame. Any big difference could cause the frame to twist from the pressure and push the end down. But wouldn't that cause the opposite side to lift up? I am at a lost. Back story: it has leaned since i bought it but now it's worst. The last springs( believed to be original springs) had tweo spacers in the leaning side. Replaced them and shocks: nothing. Had bushings replaced because they knocked first alignment out. Realigned and the tires still look like they lean. Or maybe it's compared to the lean of the body. Body bushings couldn't cause it because the spring is physically compressed more on that side. Someone said to just put spacers in iut. But that's a temp fix and didn't work for the last guy. I have also heard that the problem is common wiht these trucks. I have seen quite a few of these trucks around and some just live with it. But i want this truck to be all it can be and more. It's my first and only vehicle, can't affored a new vehicle or anything close to it. It's close to me and i love it and hope to someday make it a bada** street terror. Any suggestions or overlooking i am doing? Plz i would like to work on this during the winter when crruising is not so good.

 

Plz i really need some input on what i am overlooking. Plus another small unconnected question: can i remove the dash face (covers gauges, holds, radio, hvac, etc.) without removing the steering column covers. The way i am looking at it i don't think it's possible. I need to take it completely off, not just pull the top away. And i do have the tilt wheel. The truck is a 1992 1/2 ton 2wd with the woodgrain dash( didn't know if it made a difference).

 

The dash should come out without removing column covers.
On a flat and level surface,measure from ground to frame in the same place at all four corners and compare side to side.

 

I have heard of a bent lower A are causing a lean, haven't experienced my self.

 

When i first bought the truck just walking by it you probably wouldn't take a look if unless someone mentioned it. But I Just happened to catch it at the wrong angle one day and saw it. I measured all four. Back two are within a 1/8th inch, chalked up to a low spot in the parking lot. But the front was down about a 1/2 inch. Ok maybe body bushing is bad. Under truck i looked at springs. Obvious they and shocks were original. The leaning side had two spacers in the spring. So i had new shocks/ springs put on front. This mad it horrible. Down on one side now about 1 1/4 inch. Spacers were i guess holding it up. But that is a crappy fix and not a permanent one. I want a permanent one.

 

so you mace sure the frame was straight? and the A arm? it seems to me if youve changed all suspension bits it must be a frame problem. especially since its getting wose. mine leans too - but its not gettign wrose. im going to check it out if we get some nice weather

 

I agree that there is a good chance the frame or the a arms are bent. Mine droops too but the previous owner tried to take out a tree head on with it.

 

So i guess the only reason it got worse was because i removed the spring wth spacers? So which a-arm would you guys suppect first? Upper or Lower? And how would I (if possible) tell if it's bent? And what would be the apporximate cost? Would my local AutoZone/ Advance Auto Parts have them or would they be a scrapyard find? And if one is bent would it be one on the leaning side or the non leaning side? I haven't really checked them or frame. The only vissible damage is around the tailight it got bent in a little and twisted the tailgate latch in a little so you have to push the tailgate in to open it. But i have been under the truck (both on the ground and on a lift) and i nor quite a few other people good see any visib;e signs of damage fixed or left alone otherwise. Only thing that has not been replaced is the balljoints, and a-arm bushings. Am i forgetting anything that can be repalced? Replaced- stut rod bushings, front shocks, springs, and rear shocks. Also i was also told last week while bull****ting with some friends and family that my sloppy steeting (lots of freeplay before actually turning the wheels) could be part of the problem. But i dismissed that as crap. By the way do these steering boxes have a adjustement on them? In a magazine i read some had a adjustment to adjust freeplay. Works like a clutch adjuster on a atv. Loosen nut turn flathead screw in until freeplay quits.It's too dark outside now but i will be able to check tomorrow if nobody gets back to me tonight.

 

these trucks steer loose. id grown so used to it i dont evne notice. When my dad borrowed the truck to get some limestone screeting he was making fun of it and laughed at me. I asked if he would rather carry the screeting, or put it in his "tight steering" minivan. laughing ended.

Anyhow park it on level ground. take a ruler and measure bits of the lower A arm (say, at the tip of the A, the two ends, and alond then the middle. Check that against the other side. Take the ruler and lay its edge upwards against the bottom of the A arm and compare the cotanct surface on both sides. So say it touches all along the passenger A arm and and in the middle of the driver A arm the driver is bent at the centre. Repeat tactics like this all around that area working outwards fromt he wheel to A arm to frame etc. Eventuall youll find the part that is lower on the leaning side. BUT. Suppose you find that A arms are lower, that doesnt mean they are the problem - because it could just be what they are attached to is bent, or what that is attached to is bent etc.

good luck

 

Well it's going to half to wait till next Sunday-Monday b/c i work till 6 everynight and 5 on sat., so the only time i have is in pitch dark and i don't have the patience for that s**t.