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Jeep Lean... thoughts?

brp0830

brp0830

Well-known member
SOA Member
City
Raleigh
State
NC
So, I noticed my 84' has a slight lean in the left rear corner. It's down about 1/2-3/4" on the left rear corner from ground to frame. The rest of the body appears to sit level.

All the panels are straight, so i would think the frame hasn't been bent and rust isn't an issue. Could body mounts be a factor? They all look pretty worn out. There's no telling how old the lift kit is. It has a basic 3" lift and 33's right now.

Could someone explain more this Jeep lean so i can try and wrap my head around it?
 
I assume the spring is sagging. Options are new springs, or install a spacer.

I had a Disco II years back that had the notorious lean, I installed coil spacers (sold specifically to correct the lean) on one side and it was perfect from then on.
 
Eventually, I want to replace the entire lift with a RE 4.5", so we'll see when I get around to that if it fixes the issue.
 
I just read that. Do you think BDS is the better option? I want to keep the SU. That being said, if I swap the axles for this set of Scout 44's, I may do a SO and go to stock springs
 
I had a bad lean at the same location until I swapped out the springs for new ones. I went cheap and got superlift. They are doing fine so far. It has been a little over 2 years now.
 
I just checked the front and it’s off by the same margin. What does this mean?
 
brp0830 said:
I just checked the front and it’s off by the same margin. What does this mean?
Click to expand...

I thought I was too heavy. Just get new springs all around. All of our CJs get the lean on the driver side. Not sure why that side loses the springs first. Maybe the engine is heavier on that side plus we tend not to have passengers. I have no answers.
 
Well, that’s good to know that it’s a common problem and I wasn’t going crazy. Hopefully when the new suspension goes on, it’ll be level for a little while
 
If you dig deep enough, you'll find many left the factory that way and there may have even been a recall for it, according to legend.

My opinion - ain't no thing unless it's noticeably affecting the ride.
 
walkerhoundvm said:
If you dig deep enough, you'll find many left the factory that way and there may have even been a recall for it, according to legend.

My opinion - ain't no thing unless it's noticeably affecting the ride.
Click to expand...
They had a lean repair kit even. It was a spacer for the passenger side to to lower it to match.
 
JUNE 1986
001 014
1976-86 CJ-7 MODELS
8E
SUSPENSION Attention: Workshop, Parts Department
REAR RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

A rear ride height adjustment kit is now available for service use on 1976-86 CJ-7 models. The kit provides a method of adjusting rear ride height on models with a side-to-side height variance.

Rear ride height measurement and kit installation (if necessary) are as follows:
PROCEDURE
Rear Ride Height Measurement

1. Position the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Check and adjust tire inflation pressures as necessary.
3. Check spring and spring shackle action by jouncing the vehicle at all four corners. The springs and shackles should operate freely and not bind.
NOTE: Rust buildup on the spring leaves may cause a spring to bind. Lubricate the ends of any rusty spring leaves with engine oil.
4. Jounce the vehicle front and rear end to be sure the springs are in a neutral position.
5. Check rear ride height at both sides of the vehicle. Measure height from the floor to the top-center of each wheel opening.
6. Compare the heights recorded at each rear wheel opening. A side-to-side variance of less than 19 mm (3/4 inch) is normal and adjustment is not required. However, if sideto-side variance is greater than specified, adjust height as outlined in the Rear Ride Height Kit Installation procedure.
Rear Ride Height Kit




Rear Ride Height Kit Installation
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Determine which kit is required by measuring axle tube diameter.
a. AMC axles have a 63.5 mm (2 1/2 inch) diameter tube. Use kit 8983 100 043.
b. Dana axles have a 69.8 mm (2 3/4 inch) diameter tube. Use kit 8983 100 044.
NOTE: The adjustment spacer (A) and locating peg (B) in the kit are installed on the side having the highest measured ride height. For example, if left side height is 31 inches and right side height is 32 inches, install the spacer on the side that measured 32 inches to lower that side.
3. Remove the original spring U-bolts from the side to be adjusted.
4. Raise the axle enough to install the spacer (A) and locating peg (B) between the axle spring seat (C) and the top spring leaf.
5. Align the the spacer (A) on the spring top leaf and seat it on the the spring center bolt (D).
6. Insert the locating peg (B) in the spacer (A) as shown.
7. Lower the axle and seat the locating peg (B) in the axle spring seat (C).
8. Install the longer U-bolts (E) supplied in the kit. Tighten 9/16 inch diameter U-bolts to 136 N-m (100 ft-lbs) torque. Tighten 1/2 inch diameter U-bolts to 75 N-m (55 ft-lbs) torque.
9. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.
PARTS INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION QUANTITY PART NUMBER
KIT, Rear Ride Height Adjustment
AMC Axle (2-1/2 in. tube) 1 8983 100 043
Dana Axle (2-3/4 in. tube) 1 8983 100 044
SRT INFORMATION

OPERATION DESCRIPTION NUMBER TIME TIC
CO. KIT, REAR RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT - INSTALL
Incl. Ride Height Measurement 0306 0.6 3-362
FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Record this I.S. Note on page J-21 and file it in the M.R. 252 Manual.

1569104896188.png
 
I went with a BDS 5” kit and while it rides great I was just too heavy in the butt with armor, a full cage and the World Cab. I added leaves to my rear springs and included an extra long leaf on the low side. Fixed the issue for me so far.
 
I went old man emu 2.5" yj springs and longer shackles. With no weight in the Jeep (top etc) it leans a minimum of 1" to the left.

I found some Tacoma leveling spacers for leaf springs that are for 2.5" springs. I may try one of these under the rear right to see if that helps.
 
I just wanted to update.

Today I removed the bottom little short leaf spring from my passenger rear and added a .5" lift block.

My chassis is now completely level with no driver in the front and .25"-3/8" side to side on the rear. I'm also hoping the slightly lighter spring rate for the passenger rear will help keep it level with a driver inside.


It's possible the drivers front spring requires a slightly higher spring rate to keep level on the road. That's being picky. My body also has a .25" left lean in the front fenders that could probably be adjusted out. But atleast she looks level in pictures now ?
 
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