Correcting uneven suspension

mattsk8 · Jul 24, 2024

My 86 K20 has always sat about 3/4" lower on the driver's front than the passenger front does, and the OCD in me absolutely hates it. I have 4" lift Skyjacker EZ Ride springs and it's been like this since they were new, I actually reached out to them but they didn't seem quick to help and it wasn't annoying enough to me at the time to pursue.

Anyway, I'm 99% sure this is in the springs. All the spring shackles are newer and I've measured everything. I currently have the front axle out of the truck and I'm considering 2 options...

1. Weld a solid, 1/2" thick shim to the spring perch on the axle. I know "lift blocks" are a terrible and dangerous thing on a front diff, but this would be welded and it would be a solid, 1/2" thick block I would make that's the same size as the perch, with the center hole in it.

2. Flip the front springs from one side to the other. Thinking about this option, it would be easy enough to try without getting too crazy. I could do this, then lower it onto jack stands to see if it helped or if it just swapped the problem to the other side. But I'm guessing it would just move the problem, so I'm leaning towards saving time and just doing the shim option.

Anyone here have an opinion?

Ricko1966 · Jul 24, 2024

mattsk8 said:
My 86 K20 has always sat about 3/4" lower on the driver's front than the passenger front does, and the OCD in me absolutely hates it. I have 4" lift Skyjacker EZ Ride springs and it's been like this since they were new, I actually reached out to them but they didn't seem quick to help and it wasn't annoying enough to me at the time to pursue.

Anyway, I'm 99% sure this is in the springs. All the spring shackles are newer and I've measured everything. I currently have the front axle out of the truck and I'm considering 2 options...

1. Weld a solid, 1/2" thick shim to the spring perch on the axle. I know "lift blocks" are a terrible and dangerous thing on a front diff, but this would be welded and it would be a solid, 1/2" thick block I would make that's the same size as the perch, with the center hole in it.

2. Flip the front springs from one side to the other. Thinking about this option, it would be easy enough to try without getting too crazy. I could do this, then lower it onto jack stands to see if it helped or if it just swapped the problem to the other side. But I'm guessing it would just move the problem, so I'm leaning towards saving time and just doing the shim option.

Anyone here have an opinion?

Move your springs left to tight. If the problem follows,just shim the other side.

Ricko1966 · Jul 24, 2024

Are you sure it's not body mounts.

mattsk8 · Jul 24, 2024

Ricko1966 said:
Are you sure it's not body mounts.

Yes, those are all new. I've measured all of them too.

I'll quit being lazy and swap springs, that'll tell me for sure if it's springs. Will be pretty simple with the axle out

Ricko1966 · Jul 25, 2024

mattsk8 said:
Yes, those are all new. I've measured all of them too.

I'll quit being lazy and swap springs, that'll tell me for sure if it's springs. Will be pretty simple with the axle out

Just for fun run a level frame rail to frame rail and jack up,support the front frame rails level,now see if the hoods level.

mattsk8 · Jul 25, 2024

Ricko1966 said:
Just for fun run a level frame rail to frame rail and jack up,support the front frame rails level,now see if the holds level.

Good call, I think I can get a level across the frame right behind the front springs.

mattsk8 · Jul 25, 2024

Couldn't get the level across the frame anywhere, something is always hanging down. But I was able to get the level across the springs... First I checked the point where the springs are currently sitting on the jack stands to confirm the floor is level, and at that point it's level. When I move the level to the front of the springs, right behind the front spring mounts, the driver's side is exactly a half inch lower than the passenger side. I used a half inch brass gauge to confirm.

Has to be the spring. Thanks for the suggestion, the level saved me a bunch of time drinking around swapping springs

.

Now I'm back to... Do I sorta half-a$$ it and weld that 1/2" shim in? That would definitely solve the "lean", and I doubt anyone would ever see it because I'd spray it satin black after I welded it. And I don't think it would be a safety issue being only 1/2", and being welded.

Or do I reach back out to Skyjacker, since this was a known issue when I put these in new about 5 years ago? I doubt they'll do anything since it's been so long.

ali_c20 · Jul 25, 2024

My K5 also has the "Chevy lean" and I decided to have a beer or two every time I think about fixing it. After the beer I don't care about it anymore.

PrairieDrifter · Jul 25, 2024

mattsk8 said:
Couldn't get the level across the frame anywhere, something is always hanging down. But I was able to get the level across the springs... First I checked the point where the springs are currently sitting on the jack stands to confirm the floor is level, and at that point it's level. When I move the level to the front of the springs, right behind the front spring mounts, the driver's side is exactly a half inch lower than the passenger side. I used a half inch brass gauge to confirm.

Has to be the spring. Thanks for the suggestion, the level saved me a bunch of time drinking around swapping springs .

Now I'm back to... Do I sorta half-a$$ it and weld that 1/2" shim in? That would definitely solve the "lean", and I doubt anyone would ever see it because I'd spray it satin black after I welded it. And I don't think it would be a safety issue being only 1/2", and being welded.

Or do I reach back out to Skyjacker, since this was a known issue when I put these in new about 5 years ago? I doubt they'll do anything since it's been so long.

I would do an "add a leaf" instead of welding to the axle. Make your spacer, but drill a whole in the center and get a longer spring pack bolt. It becomes a zero rate leaf spring at that point. Adds nothing to suspension, but bolts solidly to the leaf pack, and is not considered a block.

Old Guy Bill · Jul 25, 2024

Take both springs out, flip them over and compare the height of the two.. is there a difference? If there is there’s your issue, if not you have a spring mount, bushing, frame etc.. problem.
I have a local shop that does truck spring suspension, they have a large press and have adjusted springs for me in the past.

mattsk8 · Jul 25, 2024

I called Skyjacker today and they are pretty amazing. He said they will stand behind it but he wants me to swap the springs from one side to the other before they do it just to confirm that it's actually a spring issue. I'm almost positive this is a waste of time, but I completely understand why they want me to. I will report back once I figure this out.

mattsk8 · Jul 27, 2024

Confirmed this is a spring issue. But I'll still install these on the opposite sides just to keep them happy. This pic is both springs laying flat on the flat floor, side-by-side.

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mattsk8 · Jul 27, 2024

Now the question of... which spring is correct? I'm guessing the taller one because it had more rake on the driver's side than it should (in my opinion), and that's the side with the lower spring.

Just another confirmation... With the truck frame sitting on jack stands, having both stands at exactly the same point, both sides measure identically. I'll call Skyjacker Monday.

mattsk8 · Jul 27, 2024

On the bright side, grenading my front diff led to a bunch of "someday" repairs. Finally getting these springs fixed, sandblasted and painted the front axle while it's out, and I finally got around to finessing the body lines.

mattsk8 · Jul 29, 2024

I suspected this would be a giant PIA, but I need to give both Skyjacker, and Summit Racing (where I ordered them) some very high praise for how they've handled this so far. They warrantied both front springs, and I'll have my warranty replacements either tomorrow or Wednesday

.

So far I have zero issues recommending Skyjacker and Summit. The EZ Ride suspension is by far the best riding lift I've had on a square body so far. And even though I did have to warranty one, I honestly think I'm nitpicking, and they all made this very simple. Thanks to both places!

Correcting uneven suspension

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