68 Dart convertible 1/2 inch tilted in rear toward drivers side

[Tobor]

After having the leaf springs checked out (replaced bushings) and three different pairs of rear shocks, the only thing that works to level the rear end out are the air shocks which I know most people on this forum are against.

Out of desperation, I just put in 200 pounds of water conditioning salt on the right hand side to see if that would help…… it did not.

I had two different shops. Tell me that it is within acceptable limits.

I don’t like the look, it makes the car look like it’s doing the southside shuffle.

 

[Dana67Dart]

How about some photos and some photos of your measurements and where you are measuring them

 

[Tobor]

How about some photos and some photos of your measurements and where you are measuring them

I would, but since I already put in 200 pounds of salt in the trunk, the measurements would be different.

I was measuring on a flat concrete floor up to the bottom of the wheel. Well, dead center. A half an inch discrepancy from the driver side to the passenger side,.

Again, to me, very noticeable and unacceptable.

 

[toolmanmike]

I would, but since I already put in 200 pounds of salt in the trunk, the measurements would be different.

I was measuring on a flat concrete floor up to the bottom of the wheel. Well, dead center. A half an inch discrepancy from the driver side to the passenger side,.

Again, to me, very noticeable and unacceptable.

What springs do you have? Have they been replaced? Do both springs have the same number of leaves?

 

[Professor Fate]

What springs? Factory standard, factory HD/XHD, Superstock? Most performance-oriented springs will have an extra leaf or half-leaf on the passenger side, and the stiffer the spring, the more pronounced the difference will be. Superstocks can be well over an inch or more different from side to side.

 

[Professor Fate]

Beat me to the punch, TMM!

 

[Dana67Dart]

The front torsion bars can have an effect on it

 

[Professor Fate]

The front torsion bars can have an effect on it

Good point!

 

[Dana67Dart]

Try swapping rear springs from side to side?

OR


take better meds!

 

[Kern Dog]

It can be frustrating to deal with a problem and feel you can’t figure it out. These forums are often quite helpful BUT to get the help you need, you have to be prepared to fully explain all conditions that are present. You often need to post pictures too. People do want to help but not if you make it hard for them.
It isn’t the case here but some members are like dealing with women that tell you something is wrong but expect YOU to do everything to figure it out.
Don’t do that.

 

[mvh]

What Dana said. Unequal loading on the front will affect the opposite side in the rear. Also, measuring deformable body panels is not the most accurate way to check height. You should measure from the frame rails to the floor to see if it's the whole unibody or just a bad fender repair.

 

[Dana67Dart]

So I just measured my dart, same side to side. 59 year old springs and a bunch of junk in the trunk.

I did set up a tape measure to see how far the driver's side sinks when I get in (235 lbs.)

20 - 7/16

Went down to
19 - 13/16

It dropped 5/8" that's more than 1/2"

 

[gdonovan]

The front torsion bars can have an effect on it

Also don't forget variation in body panels fitment and frame rails, some of the stuff I have seen out of the factory is laughable plus years of wear and tear.

Very, very easy to get a 1/2" off if you are measuring sheet metal to floor.

Verify by measuring off frame points.

 

[Tobor]

What springs do you have? Have they been replaced? Do both springs have the same number of leaves?

What springs do you have? Have they been replaced? Do both springs have the same number of leaves?

I have had the car since 2015.
I do not believe that the springs were ever replaced.

Last summer, when I took my car to a venerated spring shop, he said the springs were fine but thought that the bushings were old, brittle and chewed up. I gave him full option to replace springs….but he recommended bushings only. Done

Looks like the same number of leaf springs on both sides. (4?)

Thank you for giving this a think

 

[Tobor]

Also don't forget variation in body panels fitment and frame rails, some of the stuff I have seen out of the factory is laughable plus years of wear and tear.

Very, very easy to get a 1/2" off if you are measuring sheet metal to floor.

Verify by measuring off frame points.

OK, I willl.

When you look at the car from the rear, it just looks very slanted, tilted…..uncool….catawampus

 

[toolmanmike]

Someone mentioned the front not being level. Check that carefully.

 

[Tobor]

What springs? Factory standard, factory HD/XHD, Superstock? Most performance-oriented springs will have an extra leaf or half-leaf on the passenger side, and the stiffer the spring, the more pronounced the difference will be. Superstocks can be well over an inch or more different from side to side.

From what I believe and have been told by a reputable spring shop, they are the original springs for a 1968 convertible

 

[Tobor]

Someone mentioned the front not being level. Check that carefully.

OK, thanks, I will

 

[Tobor]

Also don't forget variation in body panels fitment and frame rails, some of the stuff I have seen out of the factory is laughable plus years of wear and tear.

Very, very easy to get a 1/2" off if you are measuring sheet metal to floor.

Verify by measuring off frame points.

OK, I will. Thank you. Good point

 

[Tobor]

So I just measured my dart, same side to side. 59 year old springs and a bunch of junk in the trunk.

I did set up a tape measure to see how far the driver's side sinks when I get in (235 lbs.)

20 - 7/16
View attachment 1716527219
Went down to
19 - 13/16
View attachment 1716527218

It dropped 5/8" that's more than 1/2"

Interesting……thank you for taking the trouble to measure. All my measurements were with no one in the car. Since it is already is. “ leaning “ to the driver’s side by 1/2 inch, I would believe that if I measured with me in the car, it would sink more….making it more tilted

 

[4spdragtop]

Salt?

 

[Dana67Dart]

Salt

Water softeners use salt to activate plastic beads, the water runs through the beads and the minerals get stuck to the beads.

Then the beads get backwashed and the minerals get washed down the drain and the process starts all over again

 

[4spdragtop]

Lol its like Superman wiping his *** with Kryptonite....
You didn't see the irony?

Water softeners use salt to activate plastic beads, the water runs through the beads and the minerals get stuck to the beads.

Then the beads get backwashed and the minerals get washed down the drain and the process starts all over again

 

[RustyRatRod]

Post some pictures so we can see exactly what you're talking about.

 

[Dana67Dart]

You didn't see the irony

I'm slow