Rear end problem (uneven)

[J-Scratch]

Well my car is sitting uneven in the rear for some reason. I thought it might be the shocks but those seam fine, then I thought it was the leaf springs, but as I was inspecting it and looking at it more I noticed that the bar that connects to the rear leaf spring (@ the rear valance is like 3 inches shorter from a perspective stand point on the driver side.)
That means the bar sticks out like three more inches on one side than the other when they are actually the same size. Any clues as to what is causing this, or ways to correct it?
Hopefully someone know what I am talking about.

 

[nds03]

are you talking about the shackles?

 

[65fastback2+2]

are you talking about the shackles?

thats what i think hes talking about, which is really weird

 

[notny41]

Sounds like mismatched leaf springs to me. Or maybe one leaf is in good shape and the other is way sprung. I replaced the leafs on mine and raised the car 1.5 inches. I love how it looks sitting up a bit higher.

 

[J-Scratch]

Yes I was talking about the shackles. The one on the driver side seems higher then the one on the passenger side. Which in turns makes my car sit lower (unevenm on the driver side) Could it be the leaf spring? I've never changed these b4 nor do I really know anyone with a stang to ask these questions. Please hekp!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[nds03]

It sounds like your saying the shackles are different sizes, you should get new ones. not hard to change, just put some jacks under your car and start unbolting. be safe

 

[notny41]

It isn't too bad to change them (and they are relatively cheap).

Things you'll need to change them:

- Floor Jack
- 2 jack stands
- 8" C-clamp to get the front eye bolts out (use a deep socket to put over the bolt head when twisting the c clamp and it will push the bolt right out.
- proper sized wrenches for shackle bolts, ubolts on axle, and eye bolts
- spray penetrating oil
- music
- beer

I jacked the rear end up on the pumpkin and then put the jack stands under the rear frame rails. Then kept the floor jack under the pumpkin to easily lower and raise the rear end to my liking.

Do one side at a time. So the axle doesn't rotate on you.

Took me about a week to do because I had so much trouble getting the first eye bolt out. I read a bunch of threads on this site and one said to use the c clamp and deep well socket to push the eye bolt out and after that it took me about 2 hrs per side.

One of my buddies told me that those eye bolts are probably responsible for most Mustang widows... Just be very, very careful that you have the car on the jackstands well. You do not want the car falling on you! (that was probably needless to say) Probably a good idea to chock the front wheels too.

I also did the rear shocks while I was taking all of that apart. I'd advise that as well. I think they were $25/pair at Autozone - gotta take the rear seat and rear lid out to do those but that isn't that bad. You get to know your car pretty well by doing all of that and none of it is rocket science.

After the rear leafs I did the front coils ($65/pair) and shocks ($25/pair) and those are probably even a little easier. Made a humungous difference in ride quality and looks!!!

P

 

[allcarfan]

I had the same problem. Lots of previous owners buy longer shackles rather than replacing the leaf springs. Get a set of heavy duty shackles and install them. Although, be prepared that your leafs may be bad - those shackles may have been hiding that.

 

[gingerbreadman]

The frame rails arnt all rusted out are they? the shackels can get all messed up if the holes there bolted to rust away, it would be obvious tho....



-gbm-

 

[mustang2]

I have the same problem with my MII. Both shackels are there, it's just the left side is rotated all the way foward. I have'nt gotten to that point yet to get up in there and see what's going on, it's not being driven though, I'm in the process of restoring it. Maybe this is similair to his problem.