Always something to work on....comments invited.

[z3skybolt]

Gents,

Such fun.  Finally got my 1940 LaSalle back on the road after a 9 month wait to get the engine rebuilt.  The engine is smooth, powerful and reasonably quiet.  So I have put about 250 miles on it and completed the initial break in.

Yesterday while driving along the car began to pull heavily to the right.   That was surprising as it had always tracked perfectly straight. When I got home I noticed the car listing heavily to the right. Probably about a 15/20 degree sag.  Crawled under the car and all I could find was that  top end bolt on the link of the right rear shock absorber was threaded out about 1/2 inch and seemed to be bent a bit.  The nut was tight. Bit the attachment bolt itself was "unscrewed" out a bit from within the the link itself.    The left rear link was snug and tight at both the top and bottom ends.  I was unable to tighten the end nut as there was heavy resistance and I was afraid of breaking the arm from the shock itself.

It is hard for me to believe that the shock absorber itself could be allowing the car to sag that much.  Casual observation would make one think that the leaf spring itself was broken.  When inspecting it the right leaf does appear to be sitting flatter than the left one....but no obvious breaks.

Is it possible that the spring has just weakened?  Could the shock be allowing the car to sag?  We are leaving on vacation in a couple of days and no time to consult a shop until returning.  Any thoughts appreciated.

thanks.

bob

[harry s]

Bob, It sounds like the rear spring shackle on the more arched spring has "flipped". If that is the case it can be re positioned by jacking up the chassis and placing a bar between the spring eye and mounting bracket and pulling the shackle backward while lowering the jack. This condition happens when the car is raised without the axle being supported.    Harry

[z3skybolt]

Thank you Harry.

Went back to the shop that installed the engine. Told them my problem, tried to show them your response. Before I could utter a word Ted knew exactly what was wrong.  He knew the very technique that you described. Worked like a charm and I was back on the road within 10 minutes.  The LaSalle tracks straight as an arrow and corners normally now.  No more sagging.

Just another example of how the tools, equipment, knowledge and procedures have changed over the years...creating problems that can seem baffling to the uneducated..  The lifts of old were normally driven upon and then raised. That supported the axles and prevented the flipping of the leaf spring shackle.  Now most lifts, including the one my mechanic has, lift only via the frame and let the suspension dangle.  Thus a problem arises.


You know all of this. I am just posting for the benefit of other novices such as myself. It was so simple that I feel almost stupid. I am learning O.K.?  Simple little bits at a time. Maybe one day I can help another as you have helped me.

Thank you Harry for solving a problem that I had worried about for a couple of days.  You are a treasure.

bob

[Steve Passmore]

There have been threads about this before Bob. I keep two wooden wedges handy and drive them into the shackle before lifting the car. 37 and 38 had a bracket attached to the chassis at this point to prevent the shackles going forward. Could never understand why they discontinued it.

[harry s]

Bob, Thanks for the kind words. Believe me I have done my share of "head scratching" over the years.      Harry