Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
#2832436
10/13/20 07:48 PM
10/13/20 07:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859 Central Florida
larrymopar360
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Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859
Central Florida
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Been looking at late 70's 2wd trucks to go with my W150. Looking at one now that sits lower on left front. Visible in photos. I don't think it's from any rot. Assuming it's not, suspension issue would be only other thing, right? Coil spring weak or broken? I guess if it were broken it would really collapse though. I don't mind if springs just need replacement, or bushings and springs, but if there's something else I need to be concerned about I'd like to know. It would bug me having it sit down lower like it does. Seems springs would wear fairly evenly. I just want to make sure it's something correctable.
Thanks,
Larry
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2832482
10/13/20 09:41 PM
10/13/20 09:41 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 259 n.c.
geo.
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 259
n.c.
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I bought an '89 D250 about ten years ago, was told it had a broken spring on one side.
bought it anyway, Both front springs were broken! Not too expensive to replace, didn't need to break the ball joints loose, or use a spring compressor.
Just unbolt the lower A frame and strut rod, old spring falls out new one goes in with jack under the arm.
Of course you should check for cracks around the steering box while you're in there.
Last edited by geo.; 10/13/20 09:44 PM.
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: 68_661charger]
#2832583
10/14/20 08:38 AM
10/14/20 08:38 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,816 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,816
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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While I don't have a fix for it, from what I have read, its pretty common especially now that the trucks are old. Those trucks had quite a bit of weight all on the left side, the battery, the driver, the fuel tank...etc, etc.
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: 68_661charger]
#2832633
10/14/20 11:22 AM
10/14/20 11:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859 Central Florida
larrymopar360
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Stud Muffin
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OP
Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859
Central Florida
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I've always wondered if you could stick a thicker round insulator pad on top of the drivers spring to fix this? Maybe use a new one on drivers side and a used on passenger side? Do they even sell those rings anymore? LMC truck has everything. I've checked their site for parts. This sag would drive me nuts if it's normal. My W150 doesn't have it. No fuel tank over there anymore. Seems like the fuel tank is far enough back that it wouldn't isolate it to just the front
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: 1E2C]
#2832637
10/14/20 11:26 AM
10/14/20 11:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859 Central Florida
larrymopar360
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Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
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Posts: 15,859
Central Florida
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There was at least one TSB (IIRC) about a low left front, don't remember the exact resolution but there were parts to adjust the spring settling??? I'll try and find this. I'm too OCD to deal with one side noticably lower
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: iapco103]
#2832654
10/14/20 11:56 AM
10/14/20 11:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859 Central Florida
larrymopar360
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Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
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Central Florida
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Been there , done that with my 86 D150. The problem started on the assembly line with a mixed bag of l/h lower control arms.
It seems that some 1 Ton control arms made their way into the 1/2 Ton control arms. The 1 Ton control arms have a deeper spring pocket, henceforth the noticeable sag on the lefthand side.
The fix is whats called a " correction rubber ", which is a thick piece of rubber to fit the top of the coil spring. Works like a charm. Don't know if it is still available.
There is/was a company making them out of aluminum, can't recall the name at the moment. Paul Thank you Paul! Wonder if that's something that could be made relatively easily? Here's a pic of truck, no driver inside. Pretty significant lean! Would drive me nuts!
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2832659
10/14/20 12:02 PM
10/14/20 12:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859 Central Florida
larrymopar360
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Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
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Posts: 15,859
Central Florida
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I just did a search, "D150 correction rubber" lol. Not much of a keyword but best I could do right now. Found nothing. I've already been searching other terms for two days and found nothing. It's enough to make me pass on this truck.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2832691
10/14/20 12:58 PM
10/14/20 12:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859 Central Florida
larrymopar360
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Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
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Central Florida
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I see so many that don't, so it does seem more likely it's something in manufacturing to me. Other than the fuel tank, which is pretty far back, most cars are set up the same, with battery, steering box, etc. on that side.
Here's another I came across not leaning.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: stumpy]
#2832694
10/14/20 01:01 PM
10/14/20 01:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859 Central Florida
larrymopar360
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Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
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Central Florida
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Interesting. The fitment beginning in '94 worries me because that was the total redesign so I wonder if the diameter of the coils are too different.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2832702
10/14/20 01:15 PM
10/14/20 01:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859 Central Florida
larrymopar360
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Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
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Central Florida
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More without sag. And I see so many LRE's no sagging.
I won't drag this on and on. Like I wrote, I think I'm going to let this truck go, because if I couldn't correct the sag, my OCD would drive me nuts. If I were sure a full front end rebuild, even if I had to replace UCA arms, would fix it, I'd still be considering pulling the trigger on it.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: stumpy]
#2832703
10/14/20 01:19 PM
10/14/20 01:19 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,003 Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
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Moparts Proctologist
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,003
Salem
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It's called the "Dodge Lean". Unfortunately, diesel, V10, V8 or slant six, they do it. More common in 2wd's. Surprisingly, My 4wd with the stiffer Off-Road springs did it. The '01 4wd beater I picked up 2 years ago is now doing it, my Parents' new '90 2wd Diesel did it, and my '90 2wd gas was just starting to do it when I sold it. Seems to always be the driver side. It doesn't take much, a quarter inch on one side is noticeable a mile away. I put diesel springs in my Off-Road and that fixed it, otherwise I know of no other fix except to buy new springs. Dodge's spring supplier were not doing their job right, that's for sure. Maybe the new trucks are better.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
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Re: Suspension sag question on 2wd truck
[Re: Grizzly]
#2832768
10/14/20 04:20 PM
10/14/20 04:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,859 Central Florida
larrymopar360
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Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
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Posts: 15,859
Central Florida
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Grizzly, I don't mind replacing the springs if that fixes it.
Facts are stubborn things.
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