I have a 49 Chevy Pickup and have installed four new springs which has greatly improved the ride. However now the right front (passenger) side measured fenderwell to floor sets about 1.5" higher than the left side. Rather than add shims to the left side I'm thinking the easiest way to correct this would be to remove 2-3 bottom leafs from the passenger side. Any thoughts or ideas?
NO. You will change spring rate on the r/f and it will bounce and sway and may transfer through the steering.You may need to swap the springs left to right. Many cars sit a little higher on the driver's side, I guess to compensate for the driver's weight.
Agreed! Wait until you've converted with the tube shocks and see if that doesn't correct the stituation! As Russ said, un-even springs, either back or front can cause multiple problems as they wear in!
Left Lean This crops up from time to time and it's no big deal , most of these trucks lead when new too , always the left front corner was about 1" lower . Just Yesterday (2/3) I was up in Sta. Paula looking 'round the old things in the airport when I spied a all original '52 3100 from a block away and I nudged my brother , pointed to it and said " see ? that's the lean everyone always natters on about " . If you take the cab off the frame and measure it . most of the time the frames are neither plumb nor square ~ these were designed and built to WORK as well as look pretty and since very single AD rig was sold long before it was built . GM ran the assembly plants flat out for two shifts and didn't mind the Quality Control very much , this is why they leak , squeak and have such terrible panel and door gaps . If you're rich and patient , and want somethiong better than Generous Motors designed or built , it can be fixed , it just takes time and close attention to the details .
Left Lean Nate Thanks for your input and background to left lean. So in your opinion do you think I should just live with a left lean or try to shim the left side up to correct the lean. It just bothers me not to see the truck sit level. I would appreciate your input.
Suspension & SAFTEY I replaced my springs & shackle bushings then let it be as I had works to do , many many miles to go and I put over 20,000 miles / year on the '49 3100 most of the years I owned it , mostly loaded and always driving it as fast as was prudent to push the 235 engine..... (yes , I scared the crap right out of a lot of folks but never hit anything , ran off the road , flipped it etc.) Saftey comes first . No , I don't think shiiming it is wise as it unbalances the suspension and can cause the truck to make sudden unwanted direction changes .
LB+1 I'm not sure what you mean by the "body bushing". If you are talking about the body mounts - both sides look good to me. Or are you suggesting I shim the body up at the body mounts? Thanks for your input. Doug
