Help - Front End is Off Center

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flybob08

Member
I just finished changing out the left front brake rod and as I was getting ready to change the right side I noticed that the left and right sides of the front end do not mirror each other.

The left side brake rod is much closer to the shock body than the right side brake rod. The left side dog bone for the shock tilts inward while the right side dog bone is straight. Finally, the left actuating lever is much closer to the dog bone than the right actuating lever.

I can't figure out what is wrong as both shock housing are mounted identically, the actuating levers appear to be symmetrical and the axle mounts appear to be symmetric.

Help

Thanks

Bob
 

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Either the spring center bolt is not in the square hole in the crossmember or the frame is bent to the right. How do the body gaps in the hood and radiator shell look? I once had a frame where the hole in the crossmember was elongated and the axle was off to one side.
 
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All shocks are brand new reproduction shocks (Mike's A Fordable A18015B and A18016B) and are identical (but for left / right differences). When I got the car it had no shocks. I do not know how long this condition existed. The right side tie rod has been replaced as it had a bend in it.
 
flybob08 said:
All shocks are brand new reproduction shocks (Mike's A Fordable A18015B and A18016B) and are identical (but for left / right differences). When I got the car it had no shocks. I do not know how long this condition existed. The right side tie rod has been replaced as it had a bend in it.
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By right side tie rod do you mean the right side of the wishbone? If so, are both sides equal length? There is only one tie right, no right or left.
 
I had a similar issue with my truck.. i couldn't figure out why one wheel was further out in the guard than the other..

Then i looked at where the spring leaf ends sat. a couple of them were bunched to one side. My spring centre bolt was so worn it snapped and let the spring leaves slide across..
Check where you spring leaves end in the pack and make sure they are evenly spread..

Steve
 
The spring looks to be centered. I cannot see a center bolt, however (just the U clamps). I have the original non-sprung motor mount if that is relevant. I have the hood off and radiator out at the moment waiting on a new radiator and steering column rebuild. But prior to that the gaps seemed ok - see attached photos
 

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The bend was on the right hand side of the tie rod. The bend in the tie rod began just inside of the frame. See photo
 

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The springs appear to be symmetrical
Left side (from spring clip) -.25, 0, 1.85, 3.5, 5.5. 7.5"
Right side (from spring clip) -1, 0, 1.75, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5"

See photos
 

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flybob08 said:
The spring looks to be centered. I cannot see a center bolt, however (just the U clamps). I have the original non-sprung motor mount if that is relevant. I have the hood off and radiator out at the moment waiting on a new radiator and steering column rebuild. But prior to that the gaps seemed ok - see attached photos
Click to expand...

If you have the radiator out you should be able to see the center bolt in the front crossmember.
 
I think that the bolt is hidden by the crank bearing plate. I am a bit leery of opening up the u-bolts to expose the bolt given the pressure on the springs. Thoughts?

Bob
 
I think you unfortunately might have a bend frame.

I would get it up in the air and start measuring things.

Years ago we had a car that was hit on the drivers side at the front wheel. Bent axel and frame. Broke wishbone to. It was not that big a job to fix. These cars show you everything.

Good luck.
 
You can remove the ubolts and the crank bearing plate. The weight of the engine will keep the cross member and springs in place and you can inspect if the bolt head is in the square hole. If you are nervous wrap a chain around the xmember.
 
Not sure what type of bolt was used on the spring. Definitely not a square top bolt. Underside nuts were not castellated nor were they cotter pinned. But were tight.

Looks slightly off-center, but not by much.
 

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flybob08 said:
Not sure what type of bolt was used on the spring. Definitely not a square top bolt. Underside nuts were not castellated nor were they cotter pinned. But were tight.

Looks slightly off-center, but not by much.
Click to expand...

That crossmember looks like it has been repaired. I would measure from frame rail to center hole on each side to see if the hole is centered in the crossmember. Then replace the center bolt with the correct square headed one.
Bill
 
Obvious from the attitude of the shackles L & R something way off on center of axle/spring. What happens if wishbone turned loose?
 
That center bolt needs to be replaced with a square head bolt. The round head bolt is moving around and enlarging the crossmember hole. You may have to repair the square hole in the crossmember too.
 
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