Leaning truck of Dodge

[Archive]

It is in the 1994-2000 forum. The title of the post is "RPM for econ & Frt springs. " Also check out the post in 1994-2000 titled "Skyjacker 2" Lift. "

Dave

------------------
99 QC SB 4x4 Auto
Factory Ordered
Most Options

 

[Archive]

An old bodyman trick for checking springs or frame twist may help. Jack the truck up at the center of a frame crossmember,front or rear,until the wheels are off the ground on the end being jacked. The truck should remain level. This should help in narrowing which end is actually leaning. The jack surface at the frame has to be narrow so that its allowing free movement of the frame to find its own level. Also make sure the balljoints are all at the same height.

------------------
1999 2500 Cummins w/4spd auto,Quad Cab,SWB,4x4,Flame red ,all options less leather and radio controls on steering wheel,OEM color matched runningboards,DeeZee bedrails painted black,Power Vision Mirrors,OEM ventshades,Oem sill covers,OEM underrail bedliner

 

[Archive]

My fellow Dodge owners:

I regret to inform you that I put the spacer from the TSB in the drivers side of my truck this weekend. I spent @ 2 hours doing this and then when I set it back on the ground, the %$&*#?@ STILL LEANS!!!!! all the spacer did was collapse my spring more. I need serious help guys. Someone sent me an email about the drivers rear spring being weak which made the front sag. I think my next move is to try to raise the drivers side rear and see what happens. Seriously; if I do not fix this soon I will be posting messages on some psychiactric help home page because I'll be having tendencies to set 'Ol Blue on fire and shove it over a cliff or I might even trade it for about an 87-88 Chevy with the 6. 2 non turbo.

The score at the end of the 6th quarter
Truck 15 Don 0



------------------
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

 

[Archive]

Whoa Big Don!!! Don't give up on this truck, especially to a (gulp)shevvy 6. 2 grenade.
The frame distortion may have some weight. The balancing act jack thing may not be enough to determine the area of distortion. I am a little bothered by the lean, but not to the point of going to glow plugs, controllers and rebuilds with every oil change.
Hang in there, we will find a solution #ad
. I have a body/frame guy living down the road,I'll see if I can corral him over coffee. Maybe I can have the frame checked for a case of beer.

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

 

[Archive]

I've had two leaning Dodges: A 1985 D100 with the 318 V8, and my current one, a 1990 D250 with the Cummins. On the 1985, I replaced the springs, to no avail. I've done nothing to the 1990. I asked a very experienced mechanical engineer at my office, and he says the frames are probably twisting to a certain point and stopping. I just tell everyone it's like that to compensate for the crown in the road. I told my sister's boyfriend this, and he responded with amazement: "Man, those guys thought of everything!" (he's a diehard shevie nut).

 

[Archive]

Are yo guys trying to tell me it's time to go to the frame straighteners. I am a mechanical engineer and a pretty good shade tree mechanic to boot. I have discussed this with many coworkers. Believe it or not We design and build steering and suspension components for DC everyday, all the cars, Dakota and coming on the next model 1500's will have rack and pinion steering.

later
Don

------------------
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

 

[Archive]

I think that the torque applied to the frame may be causing front end distortion to the ladder frame. I'm a mechanical engineering technologist, (2 year technical program) and have also batted this around with the engineers at our office. We have to measure the frame to be sure, obviously weight is not the issue. If the spring force does not straighten the level out, there has to be some sort frame distortion. I want my rig to be level too, right now it looks like I weigh 500Lbs driving the truck #ad
.

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


[This message has been edited by Lil' Dog (edited 11-03-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Lil Dog,

I do hope we can all work together to solve this problem. You do not even realize how much this bugs me. I do not understand the statement bout torque. I understand that if one is in the driver's seat and looks at the engine, the engine is spinning counterclockwise, which tends to pitch the motor in a clockwise fashion. This should try to pick up the driver's side front of truck and slam the passenger's side front into ground. So if torque was a factor woulod it not lean the other way(low on passenger side) I may be wrong. Please help me to understand this problem better.

Thanks
Don

------------------
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

 

[Archive]

Big Don,
You're right, I had a reverse theory in my head about how the frame distorts.
In high torque applications like drag racers the frame becomes distorted from the lift of the front drivers side. Say that the frame could be plasticly deformed and you could keep the distortion. With the weight distribution of the unit front to back, the right rear would tend to lift when settled to rest. This would try to push the passenger side down as you said. Seesh, trying to do this in my head... . Thanks for straightening me out!!! #ad

This is a measurement that we could try... the distance from the rear axle to each of the frame rails. Maybe this will shed some light on this distortion thing. I'm really grasping at straws now..... We could do a Finite Element Analysis on the frame(we do that here at work).

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


[This message has been edited by Lil' Dog (edited 11-03-1999). ]

 

[Archive]

Torque does play a factor in spring sag and frame twisting. Having been in the auto frame trade for 25yrs ,I have straightened every type of frame from unitized to large truck frames ie. KW,Peterbuilt,etc. On a h/d truck the engine torque to the right doesnt do much,its the rebound to the left that does the damage. I suggest you take the truck to a high quality frame/alignment shop in your area. They should be able to solve the problem. Frame twist and spring sag are identical in nature. If the truck has never been in an accident,has been used in heavy hauling,or has over 100,000 miles it may be worn out springs or spring bushings in the rear but then again with use,the frame rivets and bolts can loosen causing the frame to lose its factory settings. Go to Carstar on the net and they should be able to locate a reputable shop in your area. Keep us informed on what you find.

------------------
1999 2500 Cummins w/4spd auto,Quad Cab,SWB,4x4,Flame red ,all options less leather and radio controls on steering wheel,OEM color matched runningboards,DeeZee bedrails painted black,Power Vision Mirrors,OEM ventshades,Oem sill covers,OEM underrail bedliner

 

[Archive]

I got the name of a reputable shop here in town (Kingsport TN) yesterday. I will call today. I decided this yesterday after talking with an old collision repair guy. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks
All

------------------
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

 

[Archive]

Problem is solved guys,

I bit the bullet and went to a collision repair shop on Thurs afternoon. He said the frame was"tweaked" which souded like bent or twisted in my ears, but he said he could fix it. $200. 00 I have an appointment next week to get it fixed. I would like to thank all those involved in helping solve the mystery. A note to the wise. Before buying new springs etc. etc. you might want to have your truck checked. Luckily I only spent 115. 00 on springs and another 17. 00 on chryslers tsb spring spacer (piece of crap) Spend wisely.

Sure am glad I didn't trade mine for the grenade.

------------------
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

 

[Archive]

Glad to hear it Big Don!!!!
I guess I will have to run down to the frame shop to get them to take a look at it.
Happy Truckin'

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

 

[Archive]

I had a lot of problems with my 91, here is how I fixed the leaning problem. First the front springs were shot. I went to a spring shop that had done new coils on these pickups and he installed some that he claimed would be a lot better. He was right. About six months later I slid over a curb at an angle and tore the whole front end out from underneath my pickup. The idiots at the now bankrupt front end shop replaced the control arms and every other part under it. Two days later both lower ball joints fell out, they finally got that fixed and it set crooked. I pulled the lower ball joint on the low side (driver side) and put a one inch aluminum spacer ($9. 00 from an alignment shop) on the top of the coil spring. Put it all back together and had it aligned. It is now in perfect condition and no one else knows about the spacer and it will not fall out or other wise. I have driven on some of the roughest ranch roads in TEXAS without any problems.

------------------
HAPPY TRAILS

 

[Archive]

hey guys,

Been in michigan for a while just got back the other day. Taking truck to get frame straightened on monday. I'll let you know how it goes.

Later
Don

------------------
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

 

[Archive]

Hey guys,

sorry I've been so long in replying. I took my truck to the frame shop on monday. The guys chained it down and straightened or as they said twisted the frame. They said it was no big deal and now it sets level and drives a whole lot better. There for a while with the twisted frame it was really harsh on rough roads. kinda sounded like something was coming thru the dash when I hit a dip or pot hole. Rides as good as it did the day I brought it home. THANKS to all for the help. I know there is no other place where I could so much help from people, especially people I have never met. God bless you all and happy holidays.

P. S. Lil' Dog sure am glad I did not trade for the 6. 2 shevvy.

------------------
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

 

[Archive]

All right Big Don!!! #ad
#ad
I'm going to have to go down to the frame shop here in town and have the old girl looked at. I was going to post to see if you got 'er fixed.

The 6. 2 thing..... well I've been up to my elbows in rebuilds on those things with my friends way too much and I just couldn't let anyone go through that! They all keep askin' what I've done to keep this one running with no problems... . It's simple, good fuel, TLC and start with a CUMMINS!
Happy Truckin Big Don!!

------------------
(Lil' Mack)-89 D250 2WD 5Spd 3. 55 Reg Cab. K&N, 3. 5" Exst Muffler? - Not!!,E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4 55/100 HdLites. Bosch 100W Driving. Bosch 55W Fogs
205,000 miles & counting