Why is my car leaning?? HELP!!!!

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Nov 17, 2004 | 10:01 PM
  #1  
I have an 82 Trans Am that I have having a difficult time with. Since I got the car, it has had a problem leaning to one side (passenger side). I have replaced all 4 springs, struts, shocks, ball joints, and control arm bushings. The car still has a noticeable lean to the passenger side...about 1-1/2" lower. It almost seems like sometimes its not as bad as other times. All the tires are inflate to the same psi too. After all ive replaced it isnt any better. I know for a fact the car has never been in an accident either. Have any of you out there encountered a problem like this? I need to fix this because I dont want to have the car aligned with it sitting incorrectly. THX
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Nov 17, 2004 | 11:18 PM
  #2  
Nobody knows??
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Nov 17, 2004 | 11:47 PM
  #3  
hey, im having the same exact problem with my camaro...seems youve covered pretty much the whole suspension. so the less obvious cause is the sway bar......if its bent it can cause the car to lean noticably......my suggestion is disconnect the sway bar and roll the car back and forthto settle the suspension and look again.....thats probly what it is......hope this helps
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Nov 17, 2004 | 11:52 PM
  #4  
Quote:
Originally posted by Silver_IROC_87
hey, im having the same exact problem with my camaro...seems youve covered pretty much the whole suspension. so the less obvious cause is the sway bar......if its bent it can cause the car to lean noticably......my suggestion is disconnect the sway bar and roll the car back and forthto settle the suspension and look again.....thats probly what it is......hope this helps
That is a great suggestion.

As long as everything has been checked in the spring can areas (No cracks, rust, or noticibly bend metal) then it is just a case of possible chassis fatigue. After checking that the swaybars are not the cause, you can use coil sporing shims to set the height even without upping that sides spring rate. They have to be shimmed front and rear on that side of the car evenly as not to alter wheel crossweights
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Nov 18, 2004 | 09:45 PM
  #5  
Thanks guys, but where do I find these spring shims?
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Nov 18, 2004 | 11:02 PM
  #6  
THese are designed to be fitted to the top of the springs up inside the can. Trim to 42% of the height you need on the frontend.

http://www.secureperformanceorder.co...&ProductID=905

If one front fender is lower 1 1/2" than the other, then cut this shim to aprox .630 or 5/8" tall and insert on top of the coil. The rear I do not have a figure on yet, never measured. It has to be around 50% of the height there also.
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Nov 19, 2004 | 12:07 AM
  #7  
so is it like a bent frame or something?
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Dec 30, 2004 | 04:20 PM
  #8  
Is it just the rear thats sitting lower? I also have the same problem and i was maybe thinking i needed to re adjust my panhard rod. I had mine lowered as well with reloc. brakets and lca's. Try it out you never know
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Dec 30, 2004 | 05:25 PM
  #9  
Daym, I hav also had this problem for a while, it's leaning over on the passenger side, sometimes alot, sometimes less.

I did smash it left seideways into a curb ones though, I think it has to be the reason. Nothing seems bnt though. Maybe I'll try to take of the swaybar and reattach, perhaps it would help.

Any other trix to try?
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Dec 30, 2004 | 05:58 PM
  #10  
have fat cousin albert drive for a while and settle it back out
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Dec 31, 2004 | 12:27 PM
  #11  
i know why.....
The chasis is twisted from the torque. Now these cars where never really powerful from the factory. But over time they do twist. Thats why it is strongly suggested that you stiffen up the chasis with various different products. subframe connectors, strut tower brace, etc. Your car will aways have that lean.
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Dec 31, 2004 | 06:37 PM
  #12  
Others have noticed the same thing.

http://www.f-body.com/forum/showthre...tire+clearance

Quote:
Origanlly posted on f-body.com:

Thomas L. Parker
Weight Bias

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If memory serves, this is done because the majority of the time vehicles are occupied by only one person. Adding the driver weight tends to balance the car.

For really serious autocrossers, have the front end aligned with you behind the wheel. I've watched dirt track racers do the same thing with their cars. They put the driver in and then weigh all four corners as a part of the chassis setup.

Tom
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