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73 Cj5 Leaning To One Side?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by TB73CJ, Oct 10, 2019.

  1. Nov 12, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Just not Ilene Dover
     
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  2. Nov 12, 2019
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
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    I’ve thought about adding slightly taller body mounts on one side to correct the lean a bit. Is this totally wrong?
     
  3. Nov 12, 2019
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    I wouldn't change the balance of the Jeep without checking 1st all parameters. It can be worse.
    Just drive it on a flat road to feel is there is something wrong.
    Then drive it in turns, left, right, to feel the situation.
    And you come back on the forum to get advices from specialists. (Not me!, I am just a testing man).
     
  4. Nov 12, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Have you determined that the frame is not twisted? Are your bumpers level, but the Jeep body has the lean? Are all the body mounts solid and not collapsed?
    I myself would not have different lengths for body mounts to compensate for lean.
     
  5. Nov 16, 2019
    TB73CJ

    TB73CJ New Member

    South Carolina
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    As for me - I think it’s the frame. Everything leans. :(
     
  6. Nov 16, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    The lean is parallel with the body and bumper, so that rules out a bad body mount.
    Does the front have exactly the same lean, or level? Trying to eliminate the frame as being the culprit.
     
  7. Nov 17, 2019
    TB73CJ

    TB73CJ New Member

    South Carolina
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    Same lean at the front.
     
  8. Nov 17, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Ok, to me the suspension is what’s causing the lean, not the frame being tweaked or twisted.
    I had the same lean on the drivers side, same front to back. When I replaced all the suspension (BDS 2.5” lift with shocks) the lean was corrected. I also had frozen shackles, so replaced all hardware, etc.
     
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  9. Nov 17, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I think the typical reason for the characteristic lean is in the suspension, not in the frame. Back in 1972, Jeep was replacing a lot of springs under warranty to correct for lean ... when customers complained. They developed a kit targeted at these warranty repairs that would lower the high side of any lean. It included a steel block that went between the spring and pad on the high side, along with slightly longer u-bolts to account for the block. Worked, and a lot cheaper than replacing springs. Post 25 here Jeep Lean, My Attempt To Band Aid? and instructions on the previous page.
     
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  10. Nov 17, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Yes! I would have done this had the components not been worn out on my Jeep. Even on truck forums, I see guys talking about the “lean” on their trucks.
     
  11. Nov 17, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Yep, this seems like an evergreen topic. It keeps coming up no matter how many times we go over it. They lean. :shrug:
     
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  12. Nov 25, 2019
    Wayngro

    Wayngro New Member

    Central WA. state
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    Unless you live in China, then it's Irene.
     
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  13. Nov 30, 2019
    Andy Salagaj

    Andy Salagaj Joshua70x7

    Colorado
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    Aug 3, 2016
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    I made the mod Tim mentioned for leveling the stance on my 73 CJ5. It worked perfectly. I had also replaced all the leaf springs to get back to normal lift. My old springs had flattened out.
     
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  14. Nov 30, 2019
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Naaaaa. It has to be that the coriolis effect is backward.

    That said, I'm another believer that it's just due to the uneven weight distribution. Anyone ever put an early/flat fender on wheel scales? I'm guessing the front-rear distribution will not be too even either. And yes, a sway bar neutralizes a lot of that. Just need one you can disconnect for off-roading.
     
  15. Feb 25, 2022
    Blondi

    Blondi New Member

    Istanbul
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    Blondi is a '67 Willys CJ5. My girl had the same 'problem', the lean was obvious to a curious eye but definetely not visible for someone who is not looking for it..
    But I wish I had reached such levels of inner peace and spiritual maturity to not to look back and keep walking...
    So what I did instead was; I took the drivers side leaf springs out and brought them to a workshop where they basically curved the springs and reformed them. Pretty simple job actually. And it worked perfectly. Now the Jeep is higher on the drivers side a little, so she leans to the passenger side but with the driver on, all is balanced.
    Driving with a passenger however causes to have the lean one again to the passengers...
    So I encourage my woman not to gain weight. I believe it also helps the fuel consumption...
     
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  16. Feb 25, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    If you manage to live after stating that--------
     
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  17. Feb 27, 2022
    Blondi

    Blondi New Member

    Istanbul
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    :rofl:
     
  18. Mar 3, 2022
    orange_jeep

    orange_jeep Member

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    I replaced my Leaf Springs and that fixed it. I'm not sure if that would solve every lean....
     
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