It appears that my 73 Swinger has experienced some sort of anomaly. The distance between the body and rear dires differs from one side to the other by enough to cause wheel rubbing on the right, when turning right.

Appears that the leaf springs are not held perfectly parallel, but that they shift laterally enouch to vary tire clearance distances (maybe 3/4 to 1 inch or so. These are larger than stock wheels / tires, but the problem is only on one side. Prior owner used air shocks to lift the body above the problem, but something more may be going on here. Any similar experiences?

-Dean

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Dean S.
Scottsdale, AZ

(a) are you sure you have an A-body rear axle under there? People who install air shocks do all sorts of crazy things, like use a length of chain in place of u-bolts to lash the wrong rear axle under a car

(b) have you checked if the metal straps which hold the springs together are intact and present?

Could your frame have rusted allowing the spring hangars to shift?

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Check it out... www.symcoshakedown.com

Spring eye bushings intact and in goiod condition? What aout the shackles; they aren't bent are they?

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I'd second this...if the bushings are old and shot or torn they can move quite a bit...hopefully the plates and u-bolts are still all nice and tight as well.

-D.Idiot

I appreciate the good tips. Tomorrow I hope to put the car up a bit and examine more closely based on your ideas and suggestions There's some rust in the bottom of the trunk, but not much on the frame. Retaining brackets appear to be in tact, though the individual leaves so shift somewhat, maybe 1/8" protruding laterally beyond its neighbor. Wondering if the mechanisms that hold them parallel are worn. Will check brackets, bushings, and for damage prior to replacing though... Will post more Saturday. Thanks!

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Dean S.
Scottsdale, AZ

Had this problem on a circle track car in the old days. The springs would "roll over" and allow the inside of the tire to rub on the spring. We solved the problem with a Watts link. You could do the same thing with a Panhard bar aka track bar. What either of these links do is maintain the same relationship between the body and the rear axle.

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You can't fix stupid. - Ron White

Well, more detailed inspection yielded no incremental findings. All looks O.K., however the shackles seem to have deviated from a 90 degree angle to the leaf springs. Off maybe ten degrees but not broken or noticeably deformed.

Guess I need to trim or roll up the folded in portion of the wheel wells to increase clearance, and maybe get the 6-leaf springs for more ride height. Any ideas appreciated.

-Dean

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Dean S.
Scottsdale, AZ

The rear will be closer to the right side fenderwell anyway. Larger tires are probably aggravating the problem.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.