SOLVED: Driver Side Frame 1/2 Lower, Shim Added to Rear Leaf Spring

[Bubbabiker]

Ford knows about his issue. I'm not sure what would cause it. But they've installed this shim underneath the leaf pack on the drivers side. The Ranger I had in my shop had 30ish miles on it and the tank was almost empty and it still had a sideways lean.

I've had Colorado/Canyons and Tacomas & 4Runners with the same type of lean.

I've added shims like this to Datsun, Nissan, Toyota's, GM, and Ford pickups to correct the lean. Typically after 4 or 5 years of use it becomes more pronounced.

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[Gavin stevens]

Will they warranty this? Does this happen in xx% of trucks? What recourse do I have?

 

[Desert_5G]

a full/empty fuel tank shouldn't sag one side of the car by that much more than the other side. Something like this shouldn't be a known problem. Its a manufacturing flaw that should be known and fixed. I would say its a serious safety issue that would upset the balance of the vehicle.

 

[Gavin stevens]

a full/empty fuel tank shouldn't sag one side of the car by that much more than the other side. Something like this shouldn't be a known problem. Its a manufacturing flaw that should be known and fixed. I would say its a serious safety issue that would upset the balance of the vehicle.

I agree, it’s pretty obvious...

 

[RangerCat]

So has anybody else noticed this issue with their Ranger or is it isolated thus far?

 

[Gavin stevens]

I had a new ranger in 1988 that leaned and it was caused by the car hauler binder chains where too tight on left rear. It bent the frame 7/8 of an inch.

How did you figure that out ?

 

[Gavin stevens]

So has anybody else noticed this issue with their Ranger or is it isolated thus far?

Yeah I should go look at the ones on the lot. Going to dealership on Tuesday

 

[orbit8]

I've measured 6 Rangers so far and all have of them have a sideways lean.

 

[mstealth22]

I checked mine lastnight. Leans 3/4" or so towards drivers side. Full tank, properly set tire pressure.

 

[Cape Cruiser]

How did you figure that out ?

When looking at the truck from the rear the front of the bed was parallel to the rear window but the left rear of the bed had drooped down and the bumper was even with the rear bed. Dealer called me 1 hour later said its fixed. When I got it they had put 7/8 inch washers between frame and bed mount on left rear. I flipped out,so they sent it to a frame shop and straightened the LR rail. About a week later I pulled my boat with it and it drooped right back to where was. They straightened it again an added a nice fabricated bolt in frame cross member and the problem never came back. Lemon laws back then weren't very good. Carriers go easy on tie downs now or they use straps that grab the tire.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Gavin,

Okay...this is really weird. First, measure the height between the top of the rear axle and the bottom of the frame on both sides. Then measure the height from the floor to the bottom of the rear axle tube. If the floor to axle is the same but the frame to axle is smaller on the left...Need to investigate a suspension issue of some type. This assumes the pickup box is completely empty...no aftermarket adds like tool box with air compressor added. Clearly this vehicle should visit the dealership for investigation, and if they are not able to diagnose, then demand the Ford district rep visit your vehicle....Sum Ting Wong....

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired.

 

[RedlandRanger]

I checked mine lastnight. Leans 3/4" or so towards drivers side. Full tank, properly set tire pressure.

I just measured mine at the front of the front doors, and the driver side is about 1/2" lower than the passenger side.

 

[Gavin stevens]

Hi Gavin,

Okay...this is really weird. First, measure the height between the top of the rear axle and the bottom of the frame on both sides. Then measure the height from the floor to the bottom of the rear axle tube. If the floor to axle is the same but the frame to axle is smaller on the left...Need to investigate a suspension issue of some type. This assumes the pickup box is completely empty...no aftermarket adds like tool box with air compressor added. Clearly this vehicle should visit the dealership for investigation, and if they are not able to diagnose, then demand the Ford district rep visit your vehicle....Sum Ting Wong....

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired.

Ok, I measured this. The rear axle to frame is different.

Left rear

Right rear

Axle to ground is the same on both sides-

 

[Gavin stevens]

Tire pressure 45 psi all around

 

[RedlandRanger]

I measured mine last night at the front of the front doors - the drivers side was 1/2" lower than the passenger side. Tires are all inflated at 30psi cold.

I don't notice a lean, but I haven't looked that close either. Very odd.

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