Thread: Leaf Spring Question

Tweet

I have a 1968 Ranchero I put new leafs in it and the driver's side sits exactly one inch lower than the passengers side. I would like to reArk the drivers side so it sits level is that something they can do, can they put exactly a one inch lift into the spring when they reArk it. Guess what I am asking is how much of a exact science is rearking leaf springs.
Bil

You need someone who works it in-house, because it is a bit of a hit and miss, and it might take a couple of tries.

JMHO, but if you installed new springs, either the springs are incorrect or something is missing/wrong on one side.

If you set both springs on top of each other and the arc is the same, then something else is wrong. It could be spring tension or a spacer block misplaced. Could even be a mismatched shackle. I would make sure there isn't something wrong with the springs or install before attempting to correct it by arcing springs...

Did it sit level before the spring change? The out of level condition could also be caused by a problem with the front springs.

My 69 chevelle nomad sat low on drivers side, I did a full spring swap, and it still sat low on driver side, especially when the fuel tank was full, because it is on the drivers side. I ended up shimming the coils on that side.

Do you have a spring shop close by you? It isn't so much science as they can apply force to change the arc. but like said above, the front spring can also be causing an issue, the mount at the axle must be the same on both sides as well, check the shackle and bushings are the same on both sides.. HTH

Like all the replies are saying check everything first. I would think a new set should be the same.
To answer your question about spring arcs, you need to go to a place that does spring work for heavy duty trucks, dump trucks - Semi trucks. They are the most knowledgeable. I took a 4 wheel drive van in once and a 350 Ford Centurion another time, was looking to raise both with new springs. I gave them the dimension I wanted, measured from the floor to the bottom of the front bumpers for both, 6 inch lift on one - 4 inch on the other. Came back to pick them up and pulled out my tape measure and each time they were exactly on the number on both sides. Not a 1/16 off but exact measurement. Sign of a professional shop that knows what a quality job means to a customer. (and they rode like a charm, not stiff but like a luxury car.)

I'll ask the obvious, but have you driven the Ranchero since replacing the springs? New springs need a few miles on them and some bumps to take their final set. All it takes is one bushing with a bit of a catch in at or even an over tightened bolt to make a vehicle sit high on a corner.

Could you try switching springs from side to side and see if that changes your ride height?

Since there were no replies since Dec 2019.. I wouldn't expect him to reply now.

Originally Posted by 34_40

Since there were no replies since Dec 2019.. I wouldn't expect him to reply now.

...and since ranchero68/69's last activity was 5 January 2020. Seems he asked a question, got a bunch of good advice/questions and backed away.