06 Chevy Sits Lower In Rear On Drivers

chiefgeek · October 22, 2007

I have an 06 chevy crew cab 1/2 ton 2WD. It sits 1.5 inches lower on the drivers side rear then on the passenger side (Front is level). I noticed the frame rail (measured at the front shackle mount ) sits 1 inch lower on the drivers side then on the passenger side. I took it to two different dealers who said the 1.5 inch difference is within specs and they won't do anything about it, which is BS IMO.

What can I do get it level? Is it as simple as replacing the springs?

mattro · October 22, 2007

Could be the gas weight...my s-10 dropped on the drivers side too with a full tank although it was already lowered. I probably needed new shocks or somethin but I didn't worry about it too much. Doubt the shocks are dead on you '06 though

I have an 06 chevy crew cab 1/2 ton 2WD. It sits 1.5 inches lower on the drivers side rear then on the passenger side (Front is level). I noticed the frame rail (measured at the front shackle mount ) sits 1 inch lower on the drivers side then on the passenger side. I took it to two different dealers who said the 1.5 inch difference is within specs and they won't do anything about it, which is BS IMO.

What can I do get it level? Is it as simple as replacing the springs?

Draenor · October 22, 2007

Its common, nothing to worry about. Asked Last Week

Zembonez · October 22, 2007

Its common, nothing to worry about. Asked Last Week

He's right. It's very common. I've never had a truck that wasn't off a little. The fuel tank and steering wheel, gages, brake master, battery, etc are all on the driver's side on my truck... Add to that the fact that no two springs are exactly the same.

I'm sure it is pretty normal.

If you are really concerned about it here is a good way to check it.

On a nice flat and level concrete floor jack up the truck and put it on 4 of the same type and size of stands. Make sure you use the exact same points on each side in the front and rear for the stands. (good flat surface that is shaped the same on both frame rails). Measure in several places on each side and compare your results. You should get similar (not exact) measurements from side to side front. center, and rear. If not, then the truck frame is tweaked somewhere. If your measurements are similar from side to side front center and rear, then your issue is in the suspension. Simple process of elimination.

Make sense?

the hammer · October 22, 2007

Look, I am not going to pay 35K for a truck and it is not level. I am sorry, but the least they can do is level out the truck. Any genius would know to make the left side a little higher, noit lower, to compensate for the gas and driver, so IMO it is total BS that it isn't higher on the left than the right. I am going to fight this til they fix it, cause I am tired of them giving me the run around for stuff they should have fixed in the first place. This time it's my turn to get what I want, not what they want.

I say go for it and get them to fix it. I am getting my left rear spring replaced. I will let you know what the outcome is.

Zembonez · October 22, 2007

Look, I am not going to pay 35K for a truck and it is not level. I am sorry, but the least they can do is level out the truck. Any genius would know to make the left side a little higher, noit lower, to compensate for the gas and driver, so IMO it is total BS that it isn't higher on the left than the right. I am going to fight this til they fix it, cause I am tired of them giving me the run around for stuff they should have fixed in the first place. This time it's my turn to get what I want, not what they want.

I say go for it and get them to fix it. I am getting my left rear spring replaced. I will let you know what the outcome is.

Not sure what tweaked you but...

All I said was that it was common. If you want to go butt heads with them over it - go for it.

the hammer · October 23, 2007

Look, I am not going to pay 35K for a truck and it is not level. I am sorry, but the least they can do is level out the truck. Any genius would know to make the left side a little higher, noit lower, to compensate for the gas and driver, so IMO it is total BS that it isn't higher on the left than the right. I am going to fight this til they fix it, cause I am tired of them giving me the run around for stuff they should have fixed in the first place. This time it's my turn to get what I want, not what they want.

I say go for it and get them to fix it. I am getting my left rear spring replaced. I will let you know what the outcome is.

Not sure what tweaked you but...

All I said was that it was common. If you want to go butt heads with them over it - go for it.

Yeah it wasn't anyone here, but I had my truck in the shop today to get the new Intermediate steering shaft put in and they the broke a spring in the airbag area and I had to get a rental car! I am telling you what, it would be really nice to have one decent GM shop anywhere. I hate it that I can walk in there and I know more about the physics acting on a car than they do (not bragging, just been to school a lot!) But what can you do? oh well....

Zembonez · October 23, 2007

Yeah it wasn't anyone here, but I had my truck in the shop today to get the new Intermediate steering shaft put in and they the broke a spring in the airbag area and I had to get a rental car! I am telling you what, it would be really nice to have one decent GM shop anywhere. I hate it that I can walk in there and I know more about the physics acting on a car than they do (not bragging, just been to school a lot!) But what can you do? oh well....

Yeah... it's both funny and sad how little "service" many dealerships offer. I think it really must suck if you are one of the good ones that still has a good service department.

chiefgeek · October 23, 2007

Its common, nothing to worry about. Asked Last Week

He's right. It's very common. I've never had a truck that wasn't off a little. The fuel tank and steering wheel, gages, brake master, battery, etc are all on the driver's side on my truck... Add to that the fact that no two springs are exactly the same.

I'm sure it is pretty normal.

If you are really concerned about it here is a good way to check it.

On a nice flat and level concrete floor jack up the truck and put it on 4 of the same type and size of stands. Make sure you use the exact same points on each side in the front and rear for the stands. (good flat surface that is shaped the same on both frame rails). Measure in several places on each side and compare your results. You should get similar (not exact) measurements from side to side front. center, and rear. If not, then the truck frame is tweaked somewhere. If your measurements are similar from side to side front center and rear, then your issue is in the suspension. Simple process of elimination.

Make sense?

Totally. I am going on the assumption there is nothing wrong with the frame and its suspension and body.

I agree with "the hammer" I think the truck should sit level or close to it. Mine is off by 1.5 inches which I think it a bit much. If the dealer won't do anything about it I am considering buying new springs.

In case it was lost in my original post, I am trying to figure out all the things I can do to get the truck to sit level. These are the only things that come to mind for me:

1) Put a 1 inch block on passenger spring

2) swap springs (dirver <--> passenger)

3) get aftermarket springs

4) drop shackle on passenger side

Zembonez · October 23, 2007

I am going on the assumption there is nothing wrong with the frame and its suspension and body.
I agree with "the hammer" I think the truck should sit level or close to it. Mine is off by 1.5 inches which I think it a bit much. If the dealer won't do anything about it I am considering buying new springs.

In case it was lost in my original post, I am trying to figure out all the things I can do to get the truck to sit level. These are the only things that come to mind for me:

1) Put a 1 inch block on passenger spring

2) swap springs (dirver <--> passenger)

3) get aftermarket springs

4) drop shackle on passenger side

Even trucks that have never been in a collision can have a frame that is not straight. We repaired many of them for a local Chevy store over the 8 or so years we dealt with them. Frames are pretty soft steel actually. If it was secured wrong on a long train ride or semi ride it can be tweaked. Not as bad as it might sound. Easily solved on a frame machine if so. Not at all like collision damage. That's why I suggested the level measuring setup. You can chase a problem forever if you don't know up front where the problem originates.

Swapping the springs from side to side sounds like a good start if you want to expend the effort. You might just end up with the problem in reverse.l A block on one side sounds like it would mess with the preload on the rear end. Doesn't sound all that good to me. I'd rather find and solve the real problem.

Just my 2 cents worth.

chiefgeek · October 23, 2007

I am going on the assumption there is nothing wrong with the frame and its suspension and body.
I agree with "the hammer" I think the truck should sit level or close to it. Mine is off by 1.5 inches which I think it a bit much. If the dealer won't do anything about it I am considering buying new springs.

In case it was lost in my original post, I am trying to figure out all the things I can do to get the truck to sit level. These are the only things that come to mind for me:

1) Put a 1 inch block on passenger spring

2) swap springs (dirver <--> passenger)

3) get aftermarket springs

4) drop shackle on passenger side

Even trucks that have never been in a collision can have a frame that is not straight. We repaired many of them for a local Chevy store over the 8 or so years we dealt with them. Frames are pretty soft steel actually. If it was secured wrong on a long train ride or semi ride it can be tweaked. Not as bad as it might sound. Easily solved on a frame machine if so. Not at all like collision damage. That's why I suggested the level measuring setup. You can chase a problem forever if you don't know up front where the problem originates.

Swapping the springs from side to side sounds like a good start if you want to expend the effort. You might just end up with the problem in reverse.l A block on one side sounds like it would mess with the preload on the rear end. Doesn't sound all that good to me. I'd rather find and solve the real problem.

Just my 2 cents worth.

You have convinced me. I will see if I can find some level ground to measure the frame. I think I will also make another attempt with a dealer.

If it turns out to be the frame, can any body shop fix it? Is it very expensive?

badmeds · October 23, 2007

After you do your measurements if you determine it to be a spring difference I would recommend visiting a spring shop. You may have to track down a big truck shop that works on semi type rigs. I had an 86 stepside that I bought used that hauled a welder in its bed for most of its life. The driver's side sagged so I took it to a spring shop. They re-arched the spring and replaced the u bolts. However, if you can measure the difference in springs with your truck in an unloaded position (take the weight off the springs) and talk to the dealer about it he might reconsider his position.

best of luck,

kevin

Zembonez · October 23, 2007

After you do your measurements if you determine it to be a spring difference I would recommend visiting a spring shop. You may have to track down a big truck shop that works on semi type rigs. I had an 86 stepside that I bought used that hauled a welder in its bed for most of its life. The driver's side sagged so I took it to a spring shop. They re-arched the spring and replaced the u bolts. However, if you can measure the difference in springs with your truck in an unloaded position (take the weight off the springs) and talk to the dealer about it he might reconsider his position.

best of luck,

kevin

I think Kevin is right if it turns out to be a spring.

A little extra info on measuring it. On a level floor set your stands under the front spring hander (of the rear leaf) and up front somewhere behind the front suspension where the frame is boxed under the front of the cab. Even though the difference will likely be in the rear you need the front on stands to stabilize the frame. Measure the frame to the floor at the rear where the bumper brackets bolt up. If it is tweaked that is likely the section that is off.

Any decent body shop should be able to set up and pull the frame without breaking the bank. It's a simple procedure that sounds far worse than it actually is.

Nytemare · October 24, 2007

easiest and quickest Fix for this is marry a fat chick.

khadfield · December 11, 2007

chevy has a service bulletin for this in involves putting a block under drivers side rear spring and longer u bolts about 50$ or free under warranty(mine was free at a dealer i did not purchace truck from)put rough country lift spindels and adda leaf in rear this amplified problem.it did not void warranty

as isaid they did not charge for service bulletin and if i didnt have a add a leaf -longer u bolts wouldnt of been necessary.15k miles since nice and level within 1/8 inch left to right