Another Leaning Post

MadMatty · 03-09-2008, 09:44 AM

Hi all. I've been reading posts regarding the dreaded driver's side lean that is so common to exploders. The most commonly posted solution seems to be to replace the springs or go with the add-a-leaf.

I went ahead and replaced the leaf springs with a set from General Spring. I ordered the next stiffer set (1150#) and the install took about 5 hours - the hardest part was replacing the rear shocks (!) all of the other hardware came off with just a little Liquid-Wrench.

Unfortunately, this did not solve my lean problem. The driver's side wheel well height is 31.5", the passenger side height is 33".

Does anybody have any ideas? Thanks in advance!

96eb96 · 03-09-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMatty

Hi all. I've been reading posts regarding the dreaded driver's side lean that is so common to exploders. The most commonly posted solution seems to be to replace the springs or go with the add-a-leaf.

I went ahead and replaced the leaf springs with a set from General Spring. I ordered the next stiffer set (1150#) and the install took about 5 hours - the hardest part was replacing the rear shocks (!) all of the other hardware came off with just a little Liquid-Wrench.

Unfortunately, this did not solve my lean problem. The driver's side wheel well height is 31.5", the passenger side height is 33".

Does anybody have any ideas? Thanks in advance!

I got all my wheel wells within 3/8" (spec is 5/8" front and 3/4" rear) by playing with the torsion bar adjusters. When you tighten them one side goes up and the rear of the opposite side kinda goes down. You will probably need a wheel alignment afterwards.

MadMatty · 03-10-2008, 05:06 AM

Thanks! I'll try that this week.

MadMatty · 03-10-2008, 07:49 PM

Okay, I tried that and it seemed to work. After equalizing the tire pressures I tightened the driver's side bolt 8 turns, and backed the out the passenger side bolt 9 turns. That gave me 33 3/8" to 33 5/8" up front (left to right) and 32 1/4 to 32 5/8 in back.

So now the front is one inch higher than the back - are these measurements okay? If they are, I would like to get the front end aligned this week.

Any more thoughts are appreciated!

03-09-2008, 09:44 AM	#1
MadMatty Wannabe Elite Explorer Horicon, WI 2000 XLT Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Another Leaning Post Hi all. I've been reading posts regarding the dreaded driver's side lean that is so common to exploders. The most commonly posted solution seems to be to replace the springs or go with the add-a-leaf. I went ahead and replaced the leaf springs with a set from General Spring. I ordered the next stiffer set (1150#) and the install took about 5 hours - the hardest part was replacing the rear shocks (!) all of the other hardware came off with just a little Liquid-Wrench. Unfortunately, this did not solve my lean problem. The driver's side wheel well height is 31.5", the passenger side height is 33". Does anybody have any ideas? Thanks in advance!

03-10-2008, 05:06 AM	#3
MadMatty Wannabe Elite Explorer Horicon, WI 2000 XLT Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Thanks! I'll try that this week.

03-10-2008, 07:49 PM	#4
MadMatty Wannabe Elite Explorer Horicon, WI 2000 XLT Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Okay, I tried that and it seemed to work. After equalizing the tire pressures I tightened the driver's side bolt 8 turns, and backed the out the passenger side bolt 9 turns. That gave me 33 3/8" to 33 5/8" up front (left to right) and 32 1/4 to 32 5/8 in back. So now the front is one inch higher than the back - are these measurements okay? If they are, I would like to get the front end aligned this week. Any more thoughts are appreciated!