Sportsmobile leans

[dos-SMB]

Hi all,

Was just gifted a 97 dodge ram b2500 sportsmobile!

Is it typical for the camper to lean this way or do i have suspension issues? (All cabinets are close to empty.)

 

[N147JK]

There should be no leaning like that. Tire condition OK and all 4 tires inflated correctly? Same size tires left verses right side? You can measure from the ground to a reference point on the body - measurement should be the same left and right side. If not the same, suspect suspension issues.

 

[geoffff]

Yeah, that's some significant leaning! Take a close look at your front driver-side spring.

 

[dos-SMB]

Thanks for the input! So mechanic says it's the front coils and rear leaf springs. He is having trouble finding parts as they are discontinued! Any one have another source for 97 and older?

 

[dos-SMB]

There should be no leaning like that. Tire condition OK and all 4 tires inflated correctly? Same size tires left verses right side? You can measure from the ground to a reference point on the body - measurement should be the same left and right side. If not the same, suspect suspension issues.

tires are all the same size, just over a year old, lots of tread.

 

[SierraHawk]

If you cannot find replacement springs for the rear, find a shop that builds leaf spring packs. They should give you a "cheat sheet" you can use to document the various measurements for the new springs. In general, rearched springs seem to sag not long after they are installed. Consider using airsprings or airbags on the rear axle. The coil springs in the front should be easy to replace so cost is minimal. Look up "Sumos". They might help a sagging set of springs similar to airbags. When installing airbags, keep the schrader/tubing separate. They can provide you with the ability to adjust the height of each side independently.

 

[dos-SMB]

So mechanic had a tough time replacing and finding leaf springs. In order to correct the lean and account for the weight on the right side of the van, the mechanic used 7 leaves on the driver's side and 5 leaves on the right side.

It corrected the lean somewhat. However, the van still leaned slightly after. So I am having the mechanic replace coil springs (and struts while he is there) but OEM replacement coils are hard to find.

 

[geoffff]

Wow! I still have a hard time believing that much lean is just from unbalanced weight on the driver side. Is the front coil spring broken?