Leaning truck of Dodge

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Here is a tough one guys. This is not an engine question, but I figured you're about the only folks who cares about a 10 year old Dodge. I have an 89 d 250 5 speed. My father had ball joints put in it earlier this year. Drove it for @3 weeks and 1 came out of the control arm luckily nothing was damaged I don't think. After inspecting this I found that the ball joints had been welded in. If you could call this mess a weld. I also noticed that the truck sits @1. 5-2" lower on the driver's side than on the passenger side. I ordered new upper control arms, ball joints and springs from mopar$$$. I replaced this mess myself. Then I took old parts to the shop who botched it up and demanded full compensation. He paid for all new parts. 1 problem. The truck still does not sit level. I cannot find anything wrong with it. I am now down to the end of my road. It looks like the driver's side spring is compressed more than the passenger's side. I am going to swap sides with lower control arms and springs to see if lean changes to passenger side. Please help me. It is a good old truck only 128,000. Runs great and even drives great, but it looks like it's been wrecked.

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Big Don:

As you replied before, I have the same truck and I have also gone through upper and lower ball joints. The uppers are threaded in if I recall, so I think that your shop tried to press them out, then try to weld them in.
I replaced the joints every year for three years until I got some MOOG parts. For the last 2 years I haven't had a prob.

My truck also sits lower on the driver side, and like you say looks like someone rolled the thing. The tires wear even and you can steer with one finger at 70 MPH. I am curious if the spring swap will change the level of the truck. If so, I will try the same #ad
.

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites

 

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Hey Guys: I've got a leaf spring truck, so I won't go on about ball joints. But here's an idea: I've installed aftermarket replacement coil springs in the past, and if MOOG makes a set for your Dodges, I'm sure they would be a damn sight better than Dodge springs, and less expensive, too. Good luck.

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92cum'ns 5spd 4wd all possible mods. to void warranty.

 

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Hey guys,

I remember reading an article in one of the early TDR Magazines about the problem you are experiencing. Seems that the person corrected the problem of sagging springs with a new set of MOOG coil springs. I you all are interested in the article, send me an e-mail and I'll check my "TDR Library" and scan the article for you.

Bill

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97 3500CC,Auto,4. 10LSD,All Options incl Leather,Pyro,Boost,Trans. Temp Gauges, PacBrake, 3 pos TC Lockup Switch, RPM 40Gal. Aux. Fuel Tank, Reese 20K Hitch, Highway Products Tool Box, 80% Towing 12,100lb. HitchhikerII 5'er. 2000 3500QC 6 Speed,4. 10LSD,SLT+ on Order since 9-23-99

 

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I also had this problem but not on my Dodge. It turned out to be one of my rear springs, which caused the front to look lopsided?

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'93 LE W250 5spd 3. 54 White Reg Cab

 

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Hey Bill,

I would love to see this info, but I can't e mail you because it says I must specify my email address under some mail and preferences heading. I can't figure it out. Please e mail the article or anything else that you have on this subject that may help.
Also how do I put in my signature??
thanks
Don

 

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This MOOG spring thing seems like a darn good idea and the best I have heard so far. I'm willing to try it.

... . Big Don... The signature thing is edited in the "profile" area. The link is just under the "post new topic" at the top of this page.
Good luck.

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites

 

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I believe the weigth of the fuel tank on the drivers over time causes the springs to sag on that side.

 

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Big Don,

The e-mail is on the way. There's an attachment with the info you're looking for.

Yes, the fuel tank, big battery, and driver all are on the same side with the heavy engine up front.

The truck was designed a long time before anyone even thought about putting a diesel in it. If Dodge had not come out with the Cummins Diesel, I'd bet there wouldn't even be a Dodge pickup today!!
Believe it or not that came pretty close to happening too!!!

The people at Chrysler couldn't believe the demand for a reliable diesel engine in a pickup!! Without those "first generation" trucks(I had one too), we wouldn't have anything like what we have today!!!

Bill

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97 3500CC,Auto,4. 10LSD,All Options incl Leather,Pyro,Boost,Trans. Temp Gauges, PacBrake, 3 pos TC Lockup Switch, RPM 40Gal. Aux. Fuel Tank, Reese 20K Hitch, Highway Products Tool Box, 80% Towing 12,100lb. HitchhikerII 5'er. 2000 3500QC 6 Speed,4. 10LSD,SLT+ on Order since 9-23-99

 

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Thanks guys for your help. I still do not feel that we've got it licked. If I look under my truck. I can barely put my hand in the coils on the drivers side, but the passenger side has plenty of clearance. I replaced the springs with NAPA's heavy duty springs for the diesel (MOOG I'm told). Still sits lower on driver's side. I can measure from the lower control arm to the rubber snubber and I find that the driver's side is almost 3/4 of an inch closer than the passenger side. This equates to almost 1 3/4 inches difference at the body fender well to tire clearance. Cab mounts are fine and truck drives great. But when I walk out to get in it it looks like a 800-900lb. man is in the driver's seat. Chrysler manual says the #1 thing to check before aligning vehicle is ride height differential (left to right). They state there should be zero difference. They recommend replacing parts and "Never heat or bend any parts". That is all the tip they give us. I will continue to search for this. It has me baffled. I'm not perfect but I can usually figure out what is wrong with equipment. I repair farm equipment and restore/ build antique pulling tractors. By day I'm a mild mannered Mechanical Engineer. I've been on the trail of the leaning truck off and on for @8 months. One last point. My truck does sit with a mild rake. The front has always set @2" lower in the front than the rear. I don't mind this I kinda like it.

Later
Don

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1989 d 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54 Banks stage III powerpack straight exhaust
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbedawaiting mods

 

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I was just thinking Big Don... . There is a self weigh scale around my place. Maybe I can weigh each front wheel seperately to see how much of a weight difference there is. If the problem is weight distribution, I don't think we can do much. It would be nice to re-locate the 50Lb battery to the other side! Just a thought... . What do you think????

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites

 

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Sounds great,

A few more questions. Why did it not set cockeyed when it was new? Why does the chrysler manual say it should sit level with driver and full tank of fuel? The engine torques the other way. I have put 2 sets of engine mounts in my truck. Have any of you experienced this. I would notice when towing and it needs new mounts that the stick will move 2 -3 inches sideways in the cab

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1989 d 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54 Banks stage III powerpack straight exhaust
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbedawaiting mods

 

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Big Don. . Funny you mention the engine mounts. I just replaced mine about a month ago. The rubber let go and the stick yanked out of my hand in a shift between 1st and 2nd, good thing there were those tabs to keep the engine from rolling over!!! I'll be gone for the weekend here this PM. I will report the weights here on Sunday PM or Monday.
There has to be a simple solution here, as you said, it was level when it was new.

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites

 

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There is a TSB (service bulletin) that Dodge had put out for first generation Dodge pickups. It directly states in the title of the TSB it is for "Vehicle leaning on the left front corner". The TSB # is 020690A. I don't quite know what it entails but you can ask the Dodge dealer to pull the TSB for ya and see. Good luck.

Pat Daniels

 

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I looked up TSB-020291 which applies to leaning or low on the left front corner. There is a coil spring spacer available that will raise the front coner up approx. 1". The spacer is to be installed on top of the coil spring. Part is available at Dodge. PN 4322626 (probally change by now). Only one is to be used. This may be a quick fix, who knows. The TSB has a failure code of: 6X-Weak.

I not sure that a set of heavy duty springs will help all that much because of the weight of the engine, battery and fuel tank on that side. Maybe the heavy duty springs plus the spacer would be the way to go.

Jim Watkins

 

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Hey guys... Weighed my truck on the weekend as follows: Me in the seat and a 1/2 tank fuel. Left is Driver side.
Front Right: 700 Kg(1540 lb)
Front Left: 760 Kg(1675 lb)
Rear Right: 500 Kg(1100 lb)
Rear Left: 540 kg(1188 lb)
Left to right Delta=100kg or ~210 lbs(my butt)
Basically the difference in the front end side-side weight isn't the truck, rather me in the seat. It appears that the fuel tank is closer to the center of gravity of the unit than it appears and does not affect the weight distribution much. Spring fatigue seems like the probable cause so far, not the weight of the battery or fuel. Now. . knowing that, what the heck do you do if the spring change does not change the level as in Big Don's case?? Is there frame distortion??(big torque!!)
Man, a sway-bar might fix this problem.

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(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst, E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 Lites

 

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Listen up guys,

I have recieved several replies and I would like to thank all of you. This is my plan of attack.

1) I have ordered the spring spacer as in tsb 020291 ($16. 00). The spacer is @ 1" thick and sits on top of the left front spring.

2) I have also been told to check the rear springs? I have measured the rear of my truck and it sits level. How do I know if I have a weak rear spring?

It may be a while before I get to this. Meanwhile, I would like to find out WHY? this thing leans. My local dealer is going to try to find out for me today. The trucks sat level when we all bought them from the lot. Why have they "laid down" on us?? I still like my truck, that's why I'm so hell bent on getting it fixed.

thanks again.

Hey, why don't we all sen in photos of our trucks so we can show all of the pretty boys with their SLT leather CD playing trucks what real men drive. (No offense guys I also own a 99)

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1989 d 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54 Banks stage III powerpack straight exhaust
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbedawaiting mods

 

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That sounds like a PLAN. I'd consider a set of H. D. MOOG springs also. I realize you were kidding about the 2nd gen guys, they have their concerns too. I imagine if I drove a 2nd gen truck I'd be checking my transfer case chain, while checking my lubed for life wheel bearings, while checking my split front axle and vacumn shift motor. This is what makes strong and determined men. The ride in the 2nd gen trucks is great though. And our trucks are Cummins powered. I've sent Rob a couple of jpegs of my 92 a while back, and I'm sure he's busy keeping the site up, so we'll wait and see. Good luck with your sag problem / solution, and Best Regards to you 1st and 2nd gen drivers.

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92cum'ns 5spd 4wd all possible mods. to void warranty.

 

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From what I've read on other posts the spring for the drivers side is a different # than the one on the passenger side. When you replaced your springs were they rated different for each side? Go up to the top of the page and click on search and put in "springs" and you will find the post I am talking about.

Dave.

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99 QC SB 4x4 Auto
Factory Ordered
Most Options

 

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My factory and replacement springs both had exact same part #. The dealer says they should be the same, but I have heard similar stories to what you are telling. Could not find this under search. Was it in the 89-93 or the newer forum? I am still accepting all the info I can get. We will eventually figure this thing out

thanks


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1989 d 250 Ice blue met. 5 spd 3. 54 Banks stage III powerpack straight exhaust
1999 3500 4x4 Chassis cab Emerald green ISB 5 spd 4. 10 K&N Filter straight exhaust 9 ft flatbedawaiting mods