Help! Truck is sinking...

[VicR]

Took my truck in a few weeks ago because the left side was about 3/4 of an inch lower than the right side - made it look really lopsided and I haul a slide-in and wanted to make sure I wasn't having suspension problems (yes, tire pressures were equal by the way. ) This is measured from several points to the ground - bed mounts, frame, hitch. <p>



The dealership replaced the leaf springs - but that didn't help.



They then sent it out to a body shop for a 'frame alignment'.



Now its even worse...



Anything I can suggest they look at when they examine it again on Monday?



For what its worth, with a tape I measured 15+ turbo diesels on the lot. I found two that were maybe an 1/8 off (might have been variations in the pavement) and the rest were right on.



On the positive side, the Tech at Carson Dodge is really working on this for me.

 

[JPittman]

Mine has always been 1/2 inch lower on the driver's side. I equalize it with more air in the left side airbag when I have the camper on. I would think it might be "normal" since the fuel tank is on that side putting more weight there. At least that's my theory.

 

[VicR]

Does your lean equally with a full or empty tank?



Has yours leaned since new? Its something that has developed over time for mine.



-Vic

 

[BCFAST]

Since you have been loading your bed heavily with the slide-in, I would first suspect your stock shocks are destroyed. Please get some Ranchos or something decent under there. Secondly, the factory leaf springs leave much to be desired; the steps from one leaf the the next is far too long. On my previous Ram with which I pulled a large 5th wheel, I had a spring shop advise me of this and they installed two extra leafs per side at in-between lengths. This reduced sag and sway 100%!! The spring man told me that with the big steps in the springs, an overload could cause one to fulcrum the other and snap it off on the railroad tracks!! Anyway, it was a whopping $200 for that solution. Good luck.

 

[VicR]

Good idea on the shocks. I'm going to order the Rancho RS9000's today. Seems like I saw a buy 3, get one free ad not to long ago. Even if its not related to the problem, its sure not going to hurt! I was a little surprised that the Dealer didn't try these first, but they said the shocks didn't impact ride hight so I didn't pursue it. I really don't want them to try and shim this and that to make it level. That scares me.



I think its got to be a wear item because its getting progressively worse.



Interestingly, I have a small pop-up slide in. I am probably one of the few TDR members that actually run UNDER the lame payload rating these trucks come with from the factory.



Thanks for the advise. My fingers are crossed!

 

[Snow man]

Shocks arent going to affect the ride height to any degrre at all,unless they are air assist,or one is binding.