Hello Bob,
I have an article which explains this problem in some detail,
unfortunately, I can't give you the reference because all I have is xeroxed
pages, with no attribution. It is 4 small pages, complete with diagrams,
alas, I do not have a scanner. Basically, what it says is, that there is
a rubber pad in the top of the clamp box in the middle of the rear spring.
Due to the driver most commonly being alone, the pad wears on the driver's
side more than the passenger side, and the sliding action of the spring
causes it to wear out. With the pad worn away, and the weight of the car
on the spring, the spring no longer sits squarely in the clamp box, but
sits higher up on the worn side. With the car stationary, each rear wheel
still carries the same load and so the rear spring still sits parallel to
the road, but because of the worn pad and the spring not re-acting squarely
on the clamp box, the differential, and therefore the chasis/body, lean over.
Again, my apologies to whoever wrote the article. If I knew where it
had
been copied from I would certainly give credit.
Hope this helps with the explanation.
Fisher Jones
Comfort, TX.
At 06:53 AM 8/10/98 -0700, you wrote:
>I'm currently shopping for a Spit and I test drove a '76 this weekend.
>Overall it seemed like a great car and could possible "be the one"
>except for two things which I think are related.
>
>When I test drove the car it seemed to have some sway in it...kind of a
>floating type feeling. After the test drive I noticed that the tires
>were low on air and also that the left rear wheel was angled in at the
>top when viewed from behind (the right rear was perfectly straight up
>and down). The owner told me that he had replaced the leaf springs
>himself.
>
>My questions for the list are:
>
>1) Why would the wheel lean and is this a major expense to fix?
>
>2) Would the leaning wheel and/or tire air pressure account for the
>swaying feeling while driving.
>
>Thanks, Bob
>
>
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