Mustang Sagging Driverside Rear

Scudly · Feb 6, 2010

I just noticed my car is not the same height on the driver rear as the passenger side... and this had actually cause the rear driver tire to be chewed up a bit by the fender. It looks level from the back. I don't see anything obvious...

Scudly · Feb 6, 2010

Is it possible one of the leaf springs is worse than the other...? I don't know how old the spring are but I've not replaced them in my time owning the vehicle....

Would an Alignment shop be able to say yay or nay to what the issue is?

(or someone in SoCal wanna take a look?)

rebel65 · Feb 6, 2010

your leaf springs are saggy ( 40+ years old? ) that's all.

Scudly · Feb 6, 2010

rebel65 said:
your leaf springs are saggy ( 40+ years old? ) that's all.

But one more than the other?

rebel65 · Feb 6, 2010

do you carry a passenger every time you drive it? : )

Scudly · Feb 6, 2010

rebel65 said:
do you carry a passenger every time you drive it? : )

Nope... Its only a 2 seater now... the back seat was removed to house speakers and a battery relocation. The car hasn't been driven in 3 years. Just got it finished this past week... but like I said never did redo the springs... just the bushings. I'll try to get under the car tomorrow to check the leafs and eyelets... I just want to know if one spring can be worse... and if not what else the issue could be

Scudly · Feb 6, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH5BeL_bz58

Scudly · Feb 7, 2010

Guess this thread is my issues as well:
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/644577-rear-car-lower-drivers-side.html

But from the sounds of it no matter what I'll experience some sag on the drivers side.

I have the Edelbrock Performer IAS in the rear and a Mustang 2 front end in the front.... Not sure which Leaf Springs would compliment that setup and keep the ride height close to what I have now... but not rubbing of course.

Does brand of leaf spring matter that much? Saw a good price on a set of Scott Drake 5leaf mideeyes

dcstang67 · Feb 7, 2010

If your car has ever had bolt on traction bars and they were placed in the wrong spot that will cause the drivers side spring to bend and cause your problem. I put the grab-a-trak 4 1/2 leaf standard springs http://mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=LLS5+01 on my car at the same time as edelbrock ias shocks and I think it rides great.

2+2GT · Feb 7, 2010

Scudly said:
But one more than the other?

Sure. A few degrees difference in heat treating would do that over 40 years. Heck, Ford miscalculated on the 6 cylinder springs, they were known to sag within 3 years of new.

noroof66 · Feb 7, 2010

Scudly said:
Nope... Its only a 2 seater now... the back seat was removed to house speakers and a battery relocation. The car hasn't been driven in 3 years. Just got it finished this past week... but like I said never did redo the springs... just the bushings. I'll try to get under the car tomorrow to check the leafs and eyelets... I just want to know if one spring can be worse... and if not what else the issue could be

Try loosening and re tightening the bushings while on the ground. You may have overtightened one side while lifted.

ks65stang · Feb 7, 2010

noroof66 said:
Try loosening and re tightening the bushings while on the ground. You may have overtightened one side while lifted.

What torque is recommended on the rear shackles?

noroof66 · Feb 7, 2010

15-22lbs per owners manual. Since the bushings were replaced and now the sag, the rear could have been tightened to much. Especially if poly.

Scudly · Feb 9, 2010

I ended up buying a kit from Mustang's Plus with a set of 4.5 Mid-Eyes, and I'll be rolling the fenders in all 4 corners with a Eastwood Roller and Heatgun this weekend.

Now my question is... I have the original leaf springs and 1 inch drop blocks on them. The new leaf springs have a 1 inch drop since they're mideye... but my old ones were already sagging. Do you think I'd be at the right ride height if I kept the drop blocks in place, or eliminate them since the leafs are lower than stock????

ForceFed70 · Feb 9, 2010

Scudly said:
I ended up buying a kit from Mustang's Plus with a set of 4.5 Mid-Eyes, and I'll be rolling the fenders in all 4 corners with a Eastwood Roller and Heatgun this weekend.

Now my question is... I have the original leaf springs and 1 inch drop blocks on them. The new leaf springs have a 1 inch drop since they're mideye... but my old ones were already sagging. Do you think I'd be at the right ride height if I kept the drop blocks in place, or eliminate them since the leafs are lower than stock????

You will have to experiment. It's hard to tell how much the springs have actually sagged. Also, keep in mind that new springs will sag a little during the 1st couple of months of driving. So I wouldn't mess with the ride height until you've had a chance to put a few hunded miles on them.

I had the same problem. After replaceing the rear leafs, is still was lower on the drivers side (but better). I had to replace the front springs before it was fixed.

Scudly · Feb 9, 2010

ForceFed70 said:
You will have to experiment. It's hard to tell how much the springs have actually sagged. Also, keep in mind that new springs will sag a little during the 1st couple of months of driving. So I wouldn't mess with the ride height until you've had a chance to put a few hunded miles on them.

I had the same problem. After replaceing the rear leafs, is still was lower on the drivers side (but better). I had to replace the front springs before it was fixed.

Well I have a Mustang 2 front End and all that stuff is new... though I will probably get coil-overs in the next couple of months

10secgoal · Feb 10, 2010

If you take it to a collision shop they should be able to tell you within 1hr. We do it pretty often here. I have seen it be the frame twisted to the mounting points of the suspension just not level throwing it all off. I don't think we've come to the conclusion yet it was springs on any car. The mounting point on my driver side eyelet in front of my leafs was 3/4 inch lower on one side. Making it lean. Everything else on the car was withing 1/8in.

Scudly · Feb 10, 2010

10secgoal said:
If you take it to a collision shop they should be able to tell you within 1hr. We do it pretty often here. I have seen it be the frame twisted to the mounting points of the suspension just not level throwing it all off. I don't think we've come to the conclusion yet it was springs on any car. The mounting point on my driver side eyelet in front of my leafs was 3/4 inch lower on one side. Making it lean. Everything else on the car was withing 1/8in.

What does that type of thing cost to fix?

I need to replace the springs no matter what... so I guess that will help me determine if it fixes the issue or not.

I know you're in San Diego, but do you know any good collision shops in the LA area?

10secgoal · Feb 10, 2010

No, no one in LA. Dunno on the cost. Depends what's wrong, and how long on the frame machine if that's the problem.Checking it yourself is possible with time and a bit of craftyness.
You need to hang and object, wood, broom handles, anything long and flat from the car. Make sure it hangs down equally from the car. I like one on the rear of the rockers, one from the front of the rockers, then anywhere in the back, and anywhere up front. What you do is look through the beams hanging, and if it's twisted, you can see where. You will see the left side of one beam higher than the other.

Scudly · Feb 11, 2010

I found a shop called Marlo's Frame & Alignment in Chatworth that has been used in a lot of the Mustang magazines...

If the frame is bent in the rear and it requires repair... is there the possibility of my paint cracking or other issues that come with frame repair? I'm really upset that I didn't do this when the car was in primer....

Mustang Sagging Driverside Rear

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