Back on topic, Dirt, I will try to mess with the front, and follow your suggestions to verify that the front is knocking me off. What I have done is similar to what you outline, but without the socket, I just jacked the back up and put stands under the axle, moving them around until i got the axle perfectly even. The measurements were PERFECT when on jackstands. So, that is why I am thinking it is the front. I bought new/unused front springs, much stiffer than stock, but they jacked the front up about 3". So I cut 1.5 coils off each with very precise measurements, but not testing spring pressure, just measuring length. I like the stiffer and lower ride, but I am not sure if they are riding evenly. I will work on measuring for level today (if my real job assignments do not come in) and try to level it out. See if that doesn't make the whole car ride level. Good thing is...I have it half way there, and I think I got the rear leveled out completely. I have it from 1.5" down to 3/4" lean
You think too much. Go ahead and diagnose the damned thing to death. Once you have that ulcer you're so hell-bent on developing, perhaps you'll put new springs on the car.
OK There will be new springs on the back. Now, what is the correct way to level the front? Shave off the longer spring, or maybe a spacer at the top of the shorter spring? I don't want to "Mickey-Mouse" it together, I want to do it correctly.
once you replace the back springs it will change how the front sits. at that time, if all of the bushings and such are good in the front, youll know if you need new/repaired front springs. Mickey mousing is when you do a shortcut instead of fixing it right, restoring is when you replace-repair bad parts till its like new. patience, your making great progress.
OK, I have decided that I will stop messing with the levelling of the car until I replace the springs. I have succeeded in fixing it half-way by replacing the shocks and losing the air-shocks, verifying that I need new leaf-springs shackles and bushings (and putting them on the ever-increasing shopping list), and likely will need to work on the front springs. I have decreased my overall lean from 1-1/2" to 3/4", so it really is not blatantly noticeable, like it was before. I took my :chillpill :chillpill and will focus on other problems (like that vented fuel system issue) until I can replace the suspension parts.
Scooper, I have had 3 Mavericks and every one of them leaned an inch to 2 inches lower on the drivers side. Bought new springs from JC Whitney and cured that problem. JUst stick with the 3 leaf and don't get the 4 they ride very stiff.
scooper --i listened to EVERYONES sugestion and just ordered new springs for my car. they were very affordable from j c whitney. around 130-140 including shipping then ordered the bushings from autokrafters @ around 20 bucks. it seems we are battleing the same demon. not knowing where else to look i prefer to take the advice and give it a shot. just my opinion though.
Yeah, I agree with everyone...I am just going to ignore that last 3/4" lean until I get the new springs. I will go with the 4 leaf, since I only have 1" of spring travel before I hit my slapper bars, so firmer will keep me from having to rely on them so much. I have extra stiff front springs, and really like the stiffer ride, without all the rolling from side to side on turns. It will be a couple weeks before I get the springs...I will let everyone know how it turns out.
my four leaf leaf springs arrived yesterday. i will let you know how much it raises the rear end (if any). very impressed with j c whitney shipping. they weren't even supposed to leave the factory until the 12th and yet here they are.
Scooper-- I Finally Got Around To Putting The Springs On Last Night. The Original Settings Were 30" Passenger And 29 Driver With 40 Lbs In The Air Shocks. After New Springs It Sits 281/8 Right And Left With 35lbs In The Shocks. The Original Without Air In The Shocks Was 27 Pass. And 26 Driver. I Went With The 4 Spring Instead Of The 3 Since I Usually Have The Family And A Full Cooler Going To The Shows. Getting The Old Springs Out Was A Royal Pain In The $%^$@@. The Hardest Part Was Prying The Old Bushings Out Of The Steel Sleeve Passing Thru The Frame At The Top Of The Shackle. The Passenger Side Took About 2 1/2 Hours And The Driver Side Went In In About 2 Hours. Make Sure You Have A Good 1/2 Inch Drive Socket Set And A 3/4 And 11/16 Deep Socket. It Went Much Easier When I Picked Those Up. ( Broke My 3/8 Drive Socket Trying To Pry Nuts Loose. Also Invest In A Can Of P B Blaster. I Soaked The Nuts Overnight On The Driver Side And They Turned Much Easier. So Long Story Short--- Replace The Springs , Problem Solved. Good Luck THE MEASUREMENTS WERE TAKEN WITH THE REAR TIRE BEING A 275X60X15 SO YOUR MEASUREMENTS WILL BE DIFFERENT DUE TO TIRE SIZE
