Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs?

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Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs?

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Blazer >> Mechanical & Maintenance >> Steering, Suspension & Drivetrain >> Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs?

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Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/23/2007 9:50:51 PM

tyson0016

Posts: 9
Joined: 2/22/2007
Status: offline

'99 S10 Blazer. 4-door, 2WD.

I think this might be the result of my sliding off the road on ice a couple years ago...
The whole body is leaning towards the driver side. I measured the tire's clearance in the wheel wells and there's about 4 inches less clearance on the driver side. I'm not sure but I think maybe the leaf springs are just bent. (I slid into a dirt bank at about 50mph going backward... don't ask) Should I replace the springs or can I just add some helper springs or something?

Post #: 1

RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/24/2007 4:58:52 AM

swartlkk

Posts: 15276
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online

4" is huge. I'm betting that you have a broken spring in the spring pack. I would replace the springs on both sides just to get them even. If you were to find a used spring at a junkyard or eBay, you could replace just one side, but anytime you deal with aftermarket replacement parts, it is best to replace in pairs just so you don't have a mis-match.

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Post #: 2

RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/24/2007 7:40:17 AM

tyson0016

Posts: 9
Joined: 2/22/2007
Status: offline

It's probably because of my bad springs, but despite having new tires and new shocks, if I hit a hard bump the wheels really bounce and send a lot of vibration. Would there be anything I could add on while I'm replacing springs that would improve the ride even more? I've heard a little about stabilizers and other things that claim to help. Are any of these worth the money?

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Post #: 3

RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/24/2007 7:52:42 AM

swartlkk

Posts: 15276
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online

These trucks don't ride all that bad with properly functioning leaf springs. Most of the add-on items are meant to help in carrying heavy loads. Without the load, some of the 'stabilizers' cause a harsh ride.

I'm betting that you are sitting on the bump stop on the affected side right now and that is why you have such a bad ride. Get that spring fixed ASAP as it is the only thing holding your rear axle to the chassis!

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Post #: 4

RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/29/2007 7:42:58 PM

tyson0016

Posts: 9
Joined: 2/22/2007
Status: offline

Well, are replacements usually hard to find? I've checked several places online and called the local parts stores with no luck. If I'm going to replace them, I'd prefer to get new ones. Any suggestions?

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Post #: 5

RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/29/2007 8:29:47 PM

cliro

Posts: 1209
Joined: 10/11/2007
From: Calgary, AB
Status: offline

I sure hope you arent driving around with it like that

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RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/29/2007 9:38:36 PM

tyson0016

Posts: 9
Joined: 2/22/2007
Status: offline

Um, as a matter of fact, I've been driving it like this for a couple of years now but I'm pretty sure the springs were just bent in the beginning. Only a few weeks ago I noticed the ride getting more rough. It was due for new tires and shocks but after changing those, it's still pretty bad. Yes, I need to get this fixed soon.

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Post #: 7

RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/30/2007 8:29:38 AM

jphayes921

Posts: 105
Joined: 8/19/2007
Status: offline

right now i am trying to find some leafs for my blazer. i have a little bit of a sag and i really dont want to put add a leafs in. cheapest i have found is something like 115 per side. jcwhitney sells them but they are trailer replacements.

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Post #: 8

RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/30/2007 8:41:01 AM

tyson0016

Posts: 9
Joined: 2/22/2007
Status: offline

Yeah I saw the ones at jcwhitney were trailer replacements. And what exactly does that mean? For pulling a trailer or for the trailer itself?

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Post #: 9

RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/30/2007 10:28:00 AM

jphayes921

Posts: 105
Joined: 8/19/2007
Status: offline

i have no idea. or i would have ordered them for 35 a piece. i have yet to email them. I also emailed a company that does custom and oem leafs. and here is another site with specs and prices. http://www.generalspringkc.com/leaf_springs/gmtruck/1995-2000_s10.html

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Post #: 10

RE: Entire Body Leans to the Left. Add Helper Springs? - 10/30/2007 2:41:40 PM

drperry

Posts: 3926
Joined: 1/12/2007
From: GP AB CA
Status: offline

If you've got a place that sells a lot of trailer parts and such, check there, see if they've got anything that can help...

I found a steel replacement leaf spring for my old Lumina Z34 (comes factory with a fibreglass mono-leaf) at Bradvin Trailer Sales... a heavy duty (think semi-trailer) parts shop...

And Trailer Replacement probably means it's a little stiffer, so the truck doesn't sink as much when you bolt a trailer on...

< Message edited by drperry -- 10/30/2007 2:43:12 PM >

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