2014 International ProStar with a Heavy Lean, help!

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Crossbones, Aug 4, 2022.

  1. Crossbones

    Crossbones Light Load Member

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    Mar 10, 2018
    Western NC
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    Well, this forum has been great at stuff like this in the past for me, here's another one for ya.

    What on earth could be causing this perpetual lean to the driver's side? Been like this since I bought it and I thought it would be a quick fix so I replaced the rear cab airbags and shocks as well as the front body mount bushings. No change.

    Only about 3/16" difference in the rear from left to right, (measured at the frame rail to bottom of cab), but nearly an inch and a half difference L/R in the front, (measured from level ground to hood at the wheel well.) Left and right leaf springs don't look different than each other, although they are both fairly flat in design.

    Only other clue is that the truck has always pulled to the right a little, which makes it more confusing because the right side is the higher side.

    No one has been able to figure it out. My next move might have to be a frame shop but there is no history of a crash that I'm aware of.

    Thanks in advance as always and stay safe!

    2014 International ProStar
    20220804_162543.jpg 20220804_162136.jpg
     
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  3. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Dec 20, 2019
    Marion Texas
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    Steer axle spring bushings. Have to jack up front end by lifting frame and letting axle hang free. Watch the rear shackles on the spring as you slowly jack it up and see if gravity pulls them down farther then they should go or if the bushing moves fore and aft. They should not.
     
  4. MAMservices

    MAMservices Light Load Member

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    Aug 9, 2021
    Mississippi
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    Pull a tape and measure wheel base on both sides. Check the right front carefully as, if something wonky is going on on the right spring in length for whatever reason, ( bushings as was mentioned, wrong spring or whatever), this can cause the wheel base to be shorter on the right. That could cause it to pull right even though the ride height was higher on the right.
     
  5. beastr123

    beastr123 Road Train Member

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    Jan 2, 2014
    Moose Jaw SK CAN
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    Pull a tight string from eye to eye of each front spring and measure from the string to the same point on the spring perch. Also measure the length between the eyes.
    Consider changing or at least re-arching them if there is more than 3/8 inch difference.
    spring check.png
    Navistar (IHC) has had supplier problems with the lighter (12k and lighter) springs. I changed my 12k springs on my 96 3 times before I installed air bag assist with twin leveling valves.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2022
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Canuckistan
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    Just spitballin' ideas but what if you found a nice, level pad somewhere to park on and then measure from the ground to the bottom of the frame rail at all 4 corners. That should at least tell you if the cab is leaning due to suspension sag/frame issue. If the frame is level L to R then you know to focus on the cab/cab mounting.
     
  7. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    Aug 8, 2015
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    Forget the hood. Measure distance between ground and bottom of frame, just above the axle. Compare to opposite “good” side. If the “bad” sides lower, ( it should be, if it’s a spring problem) then measure between top of axle and bottom of frame, on both sides. If spring, or hangers the problem, the distance should be less by at least the same amount as the first measurement, compared to the “good side” Maybe a little more, due to weight shift, and possibly a weakened spring from the leaning. Another way is to jack up, the “bad side” frame,
    till the Trucks level. Then measure from bottom of frame to ground, on both sides, and from top of axle to bottom of frame, on both sides. If frames bent, the distances on the “bad side” will be more than the good side. Check the shims on the axle. Someone may have left one out on the bad side. Shims are often different on each side, up to 1/2” from the factory to level the Truck, from frames that aren’t perfect. Hopefully the frames not bent, and it’s a weak spring, bad hanger bushings, or a combination. A shim can be added if needed depending on how bad it is off, and what shims are already being used. I went through this on a 92 WS. Eventually took a week on a frame machine twisting it a little everyday. Back to Original and then some. Till it found its original temper. It was good as new. Whatever the problem it can be fixed.
     
    spsauerland, Crossbones and D.Tibbitt Thank this.
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