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73 Cj5 Leaning To One Side?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by TB73CJ, Oct 10, 2019.

  1. Oct 10, 2019
    TB73CJ

    TB73CJ New Member

    South Carolina
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    Oct 4, 2019
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    15
    My CJ has a lean - driver’s side - seems to be pretty significant. Not super knowledgeable about jeeps but as a new owner happy to learn. Any ideas???
     
  2. Oct 10, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    They all do this and we don't know why. Some are worse than others. Its a a great jeep mystery!
     
    RG_CJ5, Alan28, ITLKSEZ and 1 other person like this.
  3. Oct 10, 2019
    TB73CJ

    TB73CJ New Member

    South Carolina
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    Wait, what??? Are you serious?? Haha that’s awesome if that’s a thing. Gonna read up on it.

    Is there a way to fix it for us OCD Jeep peeps?

    Would “fixing” it cause other things to be problematic? Like when your spine gets out of alignment? :)
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2019
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  4. Oct 10, 2019
    sgogpn

    sgogpn From the top of Lions Back... 2022 Sponsor

    Glendale, AZ.
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    This has been a factor on the early CJ’s since the beginning. It’s just one of their endearing qualities.
    When you factor in the engine being located more to the drivers side, the gas tank located under the drivers seat, and the driver’s weight all on the same side with only 1.75” wide springs it’s easy to understand.
    The factory tried to address it once upon a time by putting a spacer between the spring and axle to drop the right side to be more level with the left but apparently it didn’t catch on. Even the Intermediates with their centered rear fuel tanks still had the lean.
    Once they changed to wider springs in 76 the droop was pretty much alleviated.
    For me, I developed the habit of pushing the roll bar toward the passenger side everyime I get out to level the springs back up so I don’t have to notice the lean.

    FWIW,
    Mike
     
    ITLKSEZ and 47v6 like this.
  5. Oct 10, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Search for "Jeep lean" - you will find lots of discussion. site:earlycj5.com Jeep lean - Bing

    Yes, they lean. Seems to be a characteristic of leaf-sprung live axle vehicles.
     
    TB73CJ likes this.
  6. Oct 10, 2019
    dane71

    dane71 Member

    USA
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    May 11, 2017
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    Cruiser lean is also a thing, it's not just us!
     
  7. Oct 11, 2019
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    I guess, changing it to a right hand drive, to level out, would be a cool build...be sure to take lots of pictures!:whistle:
     
  8. Oct 11, 2019
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    Sway bar...only sollutions....
     
    TB73CJ likes this.
  9. Oct 11, 2019
    Iandavidh

    Iandavidh Member

    California
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    would a sway bar correct some of the lean?
     
    TB73CJ likes this.
  10. Oct 11, 2019
    sgogpn

    sgogpn From the top of Lions Back... 2022 Sponsor

    Glendale, AZ.
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    I always thought that the factory
    missed the boat when they named the sway bar; they should’ve named them
    “flex inhibitors”

    FWIW,
    Mike
     
  11. Oct 11, 2019
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
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    it will certainly help keeping it strait.
     
  12. Oct 13, 2019
    numbersix

    numbersix Newberg, Oregon

    Oregon
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    Mar 31, 2012
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    326
    Could also be a twisted frame. My frame was three inches lower on drivers side, much like your picture. Previous owner wheeled it hard and somehow still twisted a fully boxed frame. I can't recall what year jeep started boxing the frames but I'm pretty sure your 73 is open.
     
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  13. Oct 14, 2019
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Aug 18, 2014
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    Yes



    Don't look back at your Jeep...That's what I do.
     
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  14. Oct 14, 2019
    TB73CJ

    TB73CJ New Member

    South Carolina
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    Oct 4, 2019
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    :rofl: Any way to fix a twisted frame???
     
  15. Oct 14, 2019
    dane71

    dane71 Member

    USA
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    May 11, 2017
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    195
    It was fun seeing my bare frame sitting on concrete, it was like a chair with one leg too short. I got it straightened out for the rebuild, and here it is leaning again...

    I think it just wants to be parked in the dirt :lol:
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2022
  16. Oct 14, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Mine was twisted too, so I made a new one. Still has begun a slight jeep lean.
     
  17. Oct 14, 2019
    TB73CJ

    TB73CJ New Member

    South Carolina
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    As long as it doesn't 'hurt' the jeep - I'm fine with the character of it.
     
    Alan28 and dane71 like this.
  18. Oct 14, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Anything more than 3/4” of an inch lean, I would also check the body mounts, springs, and the shackles. I had a frozen shackle on the passenger side that was causing a lean on the drivers side.
     
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  19. Nov 12, 2019
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
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    Sep 1, 2016
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    Would you believe that right hand drive models in Australia also lean.
    But to the opposite side that you guys do.

    I have a theory that it is partially the drivers weight being a constant factor and road camber might come into it as well.
     
    TB73CJ likes this.
  20. Nov 12, 2019
    Shootinok

    Shootinok Member

    Oklahoma
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    just call it Ilene
     
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