2001 Explorer still leaning after replacing leaf springs.

[Adam961]

I sure hope someone can help me. My 2001 Explorer Sport model is leaning to the left. I replaced both leaf springs and it did not make a difference.

I'm at a loss as to what else it could be. The rear left shock is not as strong as the right, but I don't think that could cause the problem...or could it?


Really appreciate any help with this!

Adam

 

[DjDom]

Shocks do not hold the weight of the vehicle.
However, you can replace the shocks with shocks that can hold the weight, such as air shocks or Monroe Sensatrac load adjust.

Is the whole vehicle leaning, or just the front/rear?
It could be a torsion bar at the front that's not set properly.

 

[Adam961]

Thanks....the whole left side is leaning. I think its a little worse on the front.

 

[Mike's brother]

I had the same issue with my 01 Sport, and tweaking the torsion bars did the trick. If you bring the left front up a little, it also pushes the right rear down a little. helps even things up. There may always be a little bit of a lean, especially with a driver and gas in there (both adding weight on the left), but you can get things pretty close to leveled out in short order.

Just watch how far you twist the torsion bars, and DjDom is right, check them first to make sure everything is right.

:exp:

 

[Adam961]

Thanks guys. I guess the torsion bar must be the culprit.

I did a brief search. If I understand correctly, I'lll need to place it on jackstands and tighten the torsion nut a few turns to raise the low spot.

Really appreciate the help!

 

[swshawaii]

May take a few tries to get both sides close. Remember to check wheel alignment. GL

 

[Adam961]

Had a go at the torsion bolt this morning and have a couple concerns. The bolt I need to tighten on the drivers side is not going straight up like the right side is. It's angled quite a bit...maybe 10 degrees or so.

The bolt is also a lot lower than the right side. The right side has about a 1/4" before the bolt head bottoms out. The left side is backed out about 2 inches.

I don't know if I should proceed since the left torsion bolt is so crooked.

Thoughts?

 

[swshawaii]

Original owner? The drivers side bolt being almost two inches different from the passenger is very strange.
Mark the bolt threads in their current positions and proceed. I bet the canted drivers bolt straightens out.
When changing LCA angles, camber and toe are as well. Eccentric camber kits may be needed for alignment.

 

[Adam961]

Yes original owner. The lean has been gradual over the years, I thought it was the left leaf spring weakening.

I screwed in the torsion bolt at least an inch and its still crooked.

 

[swshawaii]

Crooked torsion bolts are fairly common when these trucks are LOWERED. Did you jounce the front and drive it to settle?
Hope you're using a 6 POINT 13mm standard socket to adjust, broken or rounded TT bolts are no fun at all. Keep posted.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133130&highlight=torsion+bolt+angle

 

[Adam961]

Yes, drove it around for a while....bolts still crooked. Yes, I am using a 6 point 13mm socket....thanks for checking.

 

[DjDom]

Yes, drove it around for a while....bolts still crooked. Yes, I am using a 6 point 13mm socket....thanks for checking.

That's probably why you're leaning. If the bolt is crooked, the torsion bar isn't properly installed. It shouldn't happen, but it may have, that the bar popped out of place.
When tightening the torsion bars, make sure the truck is lifted by the front cross members and not the control arms.
Also, carefully take out the whole drivers side bolt that you said is crooked and inspect it. If it's actually broken, get a new grade 8 bolt for it.
And when I say carefully take it out, I mean it. Look up how to remove the bolt without a torsion bar popping at you and doing quite some damage.