Possible "non surgical" solution to the Model A leaning problem.

[P.S.]

Possible "non surgical" solution to the Model A leaning problem.

The 31 Tudor used to always lean to the driver's side. I read on FB about replacing the springs, re-arcing the springs, turning the springs around, etc. to try and relieve the "lean".

About 8 months ago, I gave this some serious thought. What causes the lean? Figured, more weight on the driver's side of the car, then being left parked that way after getting out, and eventually, the springs take a set. So, with nothing to lose, I decided to attempt to "re-train" the springs on the Tudor and see what happened. Every time I got out of the car, I either went around to the passenger's side and stood on the running board, or just pushed up on the door frame on the driver's door before closing it. Even when just parking in a parking lot to run into the store real quick, I always left the car leaning to the passenger's side when unattended.

I am happy to report, this has worked. The car now sits perfectly level unless coaxed otherwise. No spring replacements or modifications necessary. Just a good memory and persistence and patience.

[Tiny]

That's great. I'm curious if it will hold up? I would think that part of the problem would be due to "work hardening" of the metal. The lean being a result of of a driver alone in the car and the spring hardening into that spot.

On a side note. I once had a 50 F-1 that the passengers door closed like it was new the window worked perfect and the seat on that side looked NOS. the drivers side on the other hand... The door would fall open, the window jammed and the seat looked like a dog had been chewing on it for years. It leaned bad!!

I hope this works for you but I suspect if font continue your vigil of resetting it, the lean will return. Why not just change the spring?

[SeaSlugs]

S10's have this problem alot. The driver and fuel tank (some had a 20 gal fuel tank, thats a whole nother person there in weight) are all on the left side. usually results in the drivers side being 1" lower than the passenger.

[Milton]

My method is to loosen the spring clamps then tighten the high side first, then the other side.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Tiny

Why not just change the spring?

Because that's exactly what I wanted to avoid. The springs do not appear in need of replacement at all, according to the authority, Les Andrews. You can easily fit your finger between the shackles and the axles. The car is not sitting "low" at all. The issue was a slight lean to driver's side, believed to be caused by leaving the car that way when not being driven. Now, that lean is gone. Just wanted to share here, not cause trouble.

Maybe this will help someone else reading this someday.

[Mitch//pa]

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thanks p.s. for the info

[Bruce Lancaster]

If you can correct a lean that took 80 years to develop by plopping down in the passenger seat a few times...mightn't you have a spring that is loose in the crossmember??

[Rock Hornbuckle]

.

Maybe this will help someone else reading this someday.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for sharing an alternative method. Please let us know how it works out.

[31 A4door]

I am going to try this but somehow I don't believe the results on my own car.
I will give a report in a few weeks if it helped or not.

[P.S.]

The title says "non-surgical". I did not want to remove the springs, replace the springs, rotate the springs, etc. I applied a logical cause and counter-cause to the problem, and a long term experiment provided a real solution that works great. I simply reported the findings of the experiment. Lean is gone, even with just a driver in it going down the road. The springs got "trained" to lean one way, then "retrained" by counter measures. Simple, easy, and it worked. Yes, it took 8 months to "retrain" the springs. What did I have to lose? As an engineer, it was a solid experiment.

Now... To those unfamiliar with Fordbarn that might be a little confused with what just happened here: Be advised that no matter what you post here, whether a solution or symptom, people will reply with (sometimes unrelated) things like "check your timing" and "you need to find a good original and..", or my favorite, "well, the dog told me to do...". It never ends.

I now understand why Marco got fed up.

[SLPreston53]

Actually, I did the same on my '29 Tudor and it worked for the few years I had the car afterward.

[Rock Hornbuckle]

What did I have to lose? As an engineer, it was a solid experiment.

.[/QUOTE]

I went through the same thing shortly after the Arab oil embargo, when the new era of Energy Engineering emerged. Damned near every Engineer in the country was telling me "what couldn't be done". But when you have a solid premise, a good Engineer will press forward with an experiment.

Keep going, and never look back!

[Rock Hornbuckle]

Originally Posted by 31 A4door

I am going to try this but somehow I don't believe the results on my own car.
I will give a report in a few weeks if it helped or not.

I would think that if you were to jack up the low side to relieve the tension, and add some weight to the high side (premise) that it may speed up the process. ( a solid experiment ) It doesn't cost anything.

[Tom Wesenberg]

With Minnesota's 6 months of winter, you could jack up the left frame rail only, and let it stay that way for 6 months.

[Rock Hornbuckle]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

With Minnesota's 6 months of winter, you could jack up the left frame rail only, and let it stay that way for 6 months.

With Washington's rainy season you could jack it up for 9 months.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Rock Hornbuckle

With Washington's rainy season you could jack it up for 9 months.

You need a boat with a Model A inboard. Now, that would be a fun ride.

[BobbyG]

Hell my car spends so much time in the workshop I could just block it up level and be done with it.

P.S Don't take it to heart mate - it is only words.

[Mark Saunders]

Originally Posted by Rock Hornbuckle

With Washington's rainy season you could jack it up for 9 months.

With a fat friend in the passenger seat, it would sit level no matter what the weather is like