Rear suspension problems

DaveK

DaveK

Junior Member
1930 Model A sport coupe early model.

when looking at back of car car leans to left (drivers side) I thought that it might be a bad shock so I disconnected both rear shocks and car still leans. I put it up on jack stands and looked underneath but can't see anything wrong so now I'm stuck and out of ideas. Springs look good and can't see any spacing differences between driver and passenger side of car also I can not see any frame damage. Any thoughts?


Thanks.

Dave
 
Hi Dave,

One possibility:

The inverted "U" shaped rear frame cross member into which the rear spring fits has a square hole in it, centered on the top, into which the square head of the top of the centered rear spring bolt fits snugly.

If this square spring bolt head is not pressed & fitted into this square cross member hole, the frame can slide on the top of the spring to one side & cause leaning.

Look to see if the nut below this spring bolt is centered & report back.
 
dave try doing a search "leaning left" and youll have plenty to read
 

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DaveK said:
1930 Model A sport coupe early model.

when looking at back of car car leans to left (drivers side) I thought that it might be a bad shock so I disconnected both rear shocks and car still leans. I put it up on jack stands and looked underneath but can't see anything wrong so now I'm stuck and out of ideas. Springs look good and can't see any spacing differences between driver and passenger side of car also I can not see any frame damage. Any thoughts?


Thanks.

Dave
Click to expand...

drivers side is left as you stated in your first post:confused:
 
Are U-bolts supposed to be tight up against spring? Mine is not up against spring there is a gap between the bottom plate and spring but the ubolts are tight
 
Could be you have the wrong rear spring bottom plates -- look in a Model A vendors catalog or on line.

How many leaves in your rear spring? Think you should have about 8 spring leaves.

One spring bottom plate 1-1/8" high for about a 7-8 leaf springs & one is 5/8" high for about 10-12 leaf springs.

Also some owners added or removed spring leafs depending on highway conditions & vehicle use.
 
do you have the correct blocks for the spring ? if leaves are removed , you need to add spacers on the top to make it right . leaning to drivers side is common , go to the passenger side running board & rock it (jump up & down) & see if that will help .......
 
Vermin sat straight in the garage for 2 1/2 years. I left the R/H door open for 3 days & he leaned right! I opened the L/H door for 2 days, until he sat straight & QUICKLY closed it! Hope this helps????? Bill W.
 
Your lower spring clamps are likely the ones used on the sedans that used a 10-leaf rear spring.You needed the taller clamps that are used on the coupes ,cabriolets & Victoria's.When you put it together with the correct clamps,use Anti-Seize on the threads & it will make it much easier to remove next time. It's no wonder the car leans to one side! Make sure the center bolt fits into hole in cross member.
 
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