Rear suspension drop- right to left significant difference?!!!

Hello- thanks for reading. Started work on our newly acquired 2003 Extended Cab Pre-Runner. I replaced the rear leaf springs with General Spring (non-HD) replacements, installed a 1" block to provide enough distance to run 5100's. replaced the U-bolts and tightened it all up. I have driven the truck (better ride than the worn out OEM springs) and then put it back on the rack, retorqued bolts, etc... When I put it back on the lift (going to install an ADDCO rear sway bar) I noticed the drivers side has much more drop than the passenger side. Any thoughts as to why? I decided to loosen the bolts again, load the suspension and check again- same outcome. Part #'s are correct- what did I do wrong?
I checked for other threads on this issue and did not see one, if there is one please provide the link.
Thanks,
Kyle

 

That is odd.... my first guess would be to check the torque on your leaf spring shackles and make sure that's not it. Loosen everything that the ends of the springs mount to and see if it drops. Second guess would be that the passenger side shock is too short. Other than that. You got a wrong part in there somewhere or faulty leafs.

 

Might be side specific to account for taco lean? Meaning the driver side is a little stiffer causing it to push down the axel resulting in the extra droop on that side. Something seems off though.

 

commodate additional weight?

 

Can you push the other side down? I'd so does it stay down or spring back up

 

when you loosened and re tightened everything did it look level? Do you have to go drive around after and then it does that? Need more details OP

 

Thanks-great advice. If I unhook the shock on the passenger side does not drop- it is the spring or shackle. If it does drop- it is shock related.
Appreciate the feedback.

 

I believe they are side specific, not necessarily for that reason though. They have different part numbers and are sold as driver and passenger side.

Also OP, the boots go down unless they changed the design. The label should not be upside-down. Can't tell from the photos. The boots have weep holes to let water drain. Mine were installed boots up and when I had them turned around water came pouring out.

 

Honestly did not notice until I went to add the rear sway bar. I have the truck at a friends (has a lift in his back yard)- I will check this weekend.
Thanks
Kyle

 

Firstly, I'll preface this by saying I don't like blocks for *any* reason, but you don't need them to run 5100's... those shocks are good for 0-3" of lift. I say take them off.

Does it sit level when on level ground? The taco lean isn't that bad, so even if that was supposed to compensate for the lean, something seems off.

Take the springs off, and set them side by side and see how bad the difference is. Maybe take advantage of the warranty return policy (if they have one)...

 

Great catch on the shocks- I copied the way they are on another truck we have. Reviewed the following link- some are boots on top, some are boots on bottom- these should be boots on bottom based on the way the decal is on the shock- more work to do. Link to site:
http://www.truckspring.com/blog/post/2014/05/28/can-i-mount-bilstein-shocks-upside-down

Thank you.

 

Springs before install were very similar- based install on part #'s on part and labels as well.

Sounds like I was misinformed- I thought 5100's required 1" in the rear. Appreciate the feedback.

Truck currently still has the lean- however it is less than before I installed the new springs. Pre-install the drivers side was 1 1/8th inches lower than the passenger side, now it is about 1/2 inch. Gas tank is full.

 

Technically, it doesn't really matter which way they go. They work both directions. I preferred the boots on top just because if I'm going to tag the shock on a rock, I'd rather it be the body than the inner shaft (less likely to leak). I haven't had much of a problem with water in the boots, either - I leave them loose on the bottom. But really, I've just been too lazy to switch them around...

 

Hmmmm... that's interesting. If it's level (more or less), then I say go with it, and keep them. Drive it around a bit too, and see if you can throw it around and notice a different in left turn vs. right turn performance.

You can also try and flex out the rear (maybe use your buddy's lift to pick up the tires). See of you see a difference in the drop travel on each side.

 

I appreciate all the feedback and advice. Plan is to:
- Loosen shocks- see if they are keeping passenger side spring from drooping.
- Check shackles to ensure not over tightened.
- If spring does not droop when shock is removed I am going to reinstall original spring to see the drop it has.
- Try using the lift to check flex side to side.
--
Thank you.

 

Thanks for all the tips.
After removing the passenger side shock the leaf spring sagged- indicating it was the shock that was holding it in place. Shock only have about 2 inches of travel in either direction- that is the culprit. New replacement shock is on the way- appears that will cure the drop difference.

I also flipped the shock so that the boot is down (Bilstein is no longer upside down).

Appreciate everyone insight. Once the new shock is in I will finish installing the Addco rear sway bar.