FIX ILEAN (she leans too much)

[BigIke]

Guy my 91 leans to the left (drivers side) hard. I've read that the C4's lean but this looks silly to me. Measurements are

- front right - 27" - After backing off castle nut 26-9/16"
- rear right - 28-5/8" - After backing off castle nut 28-3/8"
- front left - 26-1/2"
- rear left - 27-1/4"

I backed the castle nut off the right rear (high side) about 1/2", until it was flush with the bolt, and it lowered the rear about half that much, and lowered the front 1/8th or so.

The rear mounts look to be in good condition. Is this a rear spring fix usually or both? Think i can get a longer bolt for the front?

Pics with the castle nut backed out... at night, give day pics tomorrow if needed.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Check your rear spring extremely well. It my be delaminating and be fractured. Also, spring bolts should be tightened at the same length.

[We Gone]

That's more of a lean than I have seen. Not sure what castle nut you are referring to on the front I don't know of any way to ajust the front without removing the spring.

If I'm not mistaken you would need to tighten the nut to raise the car longer bolts lower. I would do some more investigating as to why it sits that much out of level.

Check the rear spring for de-lamination or splitting on the low side would be the first thing to check. I'm sure others will post up also as to what may be the issues.

[randy ransome]

I've been told it can also be something in the front of your car causing it, or a combination of front and back.

My 95 leans and I haven't been able to solve it.

Good luck

[mike100]

While my car did not have that much lean, I did flip the spring around 180 degrees to see if it was due to fatigue on one side...nope- it would appear to be batwing bushing sag or similar.

(I did adjust the preload on the spring bolts to level it out some)

[BigIke]

Regarding the Front Castle Nut..

I was talking about backing off the right rear castle nut and seeing it lower the right front 5/16, and the back 1/4... Looks like the rear is jacking the front up... Might Just put a longer bolt in the rear and see what it does. Make sure that it doesn't jack up the camber.

[We Gone]

BigIke, I understand now yes adjusting the rear will effect the front. Be sure when you are checking the body levels your doing so on a level surface. Also to do this correctly there are points on the frame to make these measurements at you can't go just by measuring to body panels. These points and measurements are listed in the FSM.

[BigIke]

No matter where it is parked, you can maybe get your hand in the left side (driver); on the right side, you can put your whole arm in there! LOL Maybe i'll get off my tail and jack it up tomorrow

[5ABI VT]

Im wondering if it could be dried up control arm bushings possibly? something not letting it settle

[Paul Workman]

A very interesting topic! LEAN is a common enough occurrence with these cars to warrant a TECH article. A teensy bit to a major list, seems MOST have a little. I myself have dealt with it on my 95, and now I've got a wee bit on the Z. A comprehensive article would be oh so good. Brett???? (JK...sorta)

IF someone(s) want to PM me with the nuts and bolts (so to speak) of a process for leveling these cars, I will be more than happy to write it up (about all I can contribute to this topic, unfortunately).

Any volunteers??