Drivers side sagging 1"?

[PhxLandoCruiser]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Purchased a 2002 LC with 180,000mi (stock, no upgrades) in December and it's been running great after a few long ski trips and 5+ off roading adventures around AZ.

Something I noticed after my last off roading trip is that the front drivers side is 1" lower (measured from multiple points) than the passenger side when parked on flat ground. Got up underneath it and everything seems to be intact on the front suspension. Drives perfect and the alignment seems to be spot on, no pulling, no noises, etc.

I don't know if it's always been this way and I just noticed it. Uploading some pictures for your viewing pleasure. Hopefully this is just a common thing on these Land Cruisers and let me know what I should be looking for if this is not the case.

Thank you!

 

[TexasCrane]

FWIW, people around here tend to measure from the center of the hub/wheel to the fender. That way you get a consistent measurement regardless of tire/wheel variations.

That said, on a 15 year old vehicle, it doesn't surprise me that the front driver side sags a bit. That's where there's always weight from the driver. And who knows, the previous owner might have been 500 lbs If you want to adjust it, check in the faq for the threads on adjusting the torsion bars. You'll probably need to jack up the front end and give the driver side adjustment bolt 3 or 4 turns. It requires a 30mm socket.

Given the age of the vehicle, it may also be time to think about new torsion bars up front and coils in the rear.

Once you've adjusted it, and you're certain it's sitting the way you want, you'll need to go have it aligned since the geometry has been altered.

 

[bamabrock]

I have one side sagging more than the other, but I guess that comes with age

 

[Ali FJ80]

Just turn the driver side torsion bar bolt a few times and it should even out. I think each full turn raised mine about 1/4 inch. I would do it with the truck on the ground so you can measure as it goes up rather than jack up, then turn the bolt, then lower, then measure and having to repeat that a over and over till you get it right may get old.

 

[PhxLandoCruiser]

You'll probably need to jack up the front end and give the driver side adjustment bolt 3 or 4 turns.

I would do it with the truck on the ground so you can measure as it goes up rather than jack up, then turn the bolt, then lower, then measure and having to repeat that a over and over till you get it right may get old.

Hi guys thank you for the advise, and will adjust the torsion bar tomorrow.

Your differences of opinions raise the question of, to jack it or not to jack it?

 

[TexasCrane]

Hi guys thank you for the advise, and will adjust the torsion bar tomorrow.

Your differences of opinions raise the question of, to jack it or not to jack it?

I would jack it up personally. And also make sure to drive it around the block afterwards before you measure it so the suspension can settle.

 

[aljollano]

^x2

A.J

 

[TeCKis300]

Pretty typical to develop a lean over time, especially in trucks. Fortunately we have torsion which by nature, is adjustable to account for spring aging/sagging.

If you find that you need to put much more than 1-3 turns in the affected side, and it still leans, it may be the same side rear spring that's weak. You can replace those springs or get a 1/4" spring trim packer to even it out.

 

[bctlex]

Hi guys thank you for the advise, and will adjust the torsion bar tomorrow.

Your differences of opinions raise the question of, to jack it or not to jack it?

When I bought mine last year, it probably has the original OEM shocks - shocks looked really old. I don't remember if I measure it, but it was leaning noticeably. New OEM shocks, sway bar bushings, endlinks, and that fix the leaning. Your suspension parts probably need to be replaced if they are all original. I was getting ready to adjust torsion bar, even bought the large socket to do that. It is pretty even now, within .5 in last time I measured so I have not bother to adjust the TB.

 

[TheForger]

Jack it up to adjust torsion bars because: 1) You won't have to put as much effort into turning those torsion bolts since the truck is already jacked up a bit, and 2) You often get more accurate results that way after allowing it to settle
I jacked it up and got a 1/16" difference between LF and RF hub to fender measurements.