35 PU Front end leans

[Jakno]

My 35 PU has a side to side lean of approx 1.5 inches from the RH side to the LH side. The left side being lower. I have installed tube type shocks last summer, but I believe the leaf spring is probably original.
Can I have the spring pack repaired or re-arced if I can find a shop ?. What options are available if I need to replace the entire spring. Can you buy a new spring package ?. Thanks

[mercman from oz]

You can see the gaps between the Bumper and the bottom of the front Fenders are different widths on this nice 1935 Ford Pick-up. Can anyone help sort out this issue for Jakno?

[tubman]

From what I can see, that may be more than a spring issue. It looks to me like the grille tilts more to the left than the cab. Bent (twisted) frame? The bumper looks almost parallel with the ground; what's up with that?

[flatford8]

Do ‘35 have wooden blocks between the body and frame like 37’s ?. Did you lose a block?.....Mark

[Jakno]

I have just recently re-install the engine in the truck and am still wrestling with getting the radiator grill and hood alignment right which might be more related to the grill tilt.
The truck does have wooden blocks for the cab mounts, which I'll check. I should clarify that the whole truck leans not just the cab and front. Measuring from identical places (wheel wells ) to the ground on the four corners of the truck, I get these measurements.
Right front = 29.5", Left front 27.5 ", Right rear 33 ", left rear 31.5 ". I do have 195/75 R16 tires on front and 225/75 R16 on the rear. Thanks for any more idea's

[alanwoodieman]

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broken spring leaf? or center spring bolt broken? letting the axle/spring slide to one side

[Clem Clement]

For my '39 Carpenter had NOS front spring sets. Worx fine

[Will D]

Is this the infamous "bachelor lean" I've read about in other threads?

[VeryTangled]

While we're spitballin' here... Check the springs are actually centered under the frame. The head of the bolt going thru the center of the spring pack must sit correctly in the cross member that has an indent to receive it, both front and rear.

I agree with tubman, I don't think it's a spring issue from the couple of photos we're seeing.

Just for grins, if you measure from the frame rails under the car to the ground on pass & driver sides, do they indicate the frame sits (close to?) level to the ground? If the frame doesn't sit level then working the body will be a chase.

[Jakno]

Thanks, I'll work on checking the frame measurements. I hope I can get this old girl to sit up straight !.

[Jakno]

I have measured the distance on both sides ,front and rear from the frame to a level floor. The measurements of the front left and right side was 3/4 " difference
and the rear measurements were 1/2" different. I should have checked air pressure in the tires but I do not believe they are the reason. I will put the truck up on a lift tomorrow and check the cab measurements to the floor.

[1931 flamingo]

Try tightening the passenger's side U-bolt. The bumper is not straight, it's higher on the driver's side.
Paul in CT

[FlatheadTed]

Just to add to the good suggestions .You could try ,loosing the U bolts front and back then at the A pillar jack the low side up till the trucks level ,measure the frame under the doors to the ground (or level floor ) so both left and right are the same ,Then measure at the front frame horns to ground this should be the same or it could show you have a twist in the frame .Eye ball the grill this should be close or measure the fan side corner to corner from the mount ,After doing this you should see if you have a spring problem ,

[Jakno]

Thanks Flathead Ted. I'll definitely give that a try in the morning.

[VeryTangled]

Maybe it is time to try a tape measure on the frame? Remember how to figure a square by measuring the diagonals?

Be gentle with a typical frame contact lift, the frame rails are C's not square, and were not not made for supporting the vehicle like all modern full frames.

The X frame is made for a bunch of flexibility and the running gear and axles make more stiffness than later cars.

I prefer either a drive-on lift or floor jacks and jack stands over a frame contact lift.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by Will D

Is this the infamous "bachelor lean" I've read about in other threads?

Hahaha... first thing I thought of.

Shocks help. New or rebuilt. Or put a couple bags of cement in the passenger side floor and see how it goes. Good shocks will certainly help to level it out (kind of what they do).


Take the spring off and flip it left to right. It should lean the other way for a bit. The spring is symmetrical. So you can do that and it'll work just fine.

[ford35lh]

OK, I give up. What is a bachelors lean ???

[Tinker]

It's when a guy rides alone for yrs and yrs. The transverse spring settles on the drivers side.

On a truck certainly a work truck there is not always someone on the other side. So over time the spring on the drivers side gets more wear. Also the cab is a lot quieter and peaceful in some situations.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by tubman

From what I can see, that may be more than a spring issue. It looks to me like the grille tilts more to the left than the cab. Bent (twisted) frame? The bumper looks almost parallel with the ground; what's up with that?

From the picture (the bumper is an extension of the frame, granted you can tilt them, a lot). Measure the frame horns to pavement (or any frame point). If those match the lean then okay. Don't measure off the bumper.


True. You can make a roof level if the foundation isn't. But I don't think this is what is happening. I think you need to fix the bumper to match the rest of the car.


My 2cents... Take an afternoon and flip the spring. If it's still leaning the same way. Well it could be frame or a cross member issue. Best of luck!