Non level m38A1

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
Post Reply
fred varda
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:18 pm
Location:

Non level m38A1

Post by fred varda » Fri Apr 13, 2018 6:15 pm

How can you level up a 1954 M38A1 ? The drivers side is noticely lower than the other side. To help a friend I asked about correct tire pressure-okay
springs look okay no broken leafs. New rear shocks installed. Body was taken off by previous owner but he does not know if it was a problem before.
Body mounts are new and look good. Floors have some patching. I don+t know where else to look. Could someone give some Advice.Thanks

Thanks

Fredfender


Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: Non level m38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Apr 13, 2018 6:18 pm

It's not always the springs, frames can be twisted also.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

4X4M38
G-First Sergeant
G-First Sergeant
Posts: 130
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2015 1:30 pm
Location:

Re: Non level m38A1

Post by 4X4M38 » Sat Apr 14, 2018 8:20 am

Is this the infamous Willys lean?

Did the A1 suffer from same given it had the same drivetrain mounting design as it’s earlier brothers?

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: Non level m38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Apr 14, 2018 8:31 am

This problem was not as bad thru the 60's when Genuine Willys (Jeep) factory parts and better quality replacement parts were available. Aftermarket brands such as MOOG, Flagg, etc could be mixed with originals from Jeep Factory with no worry about "lean".
OEM Supplier to Jeep for MB, M-38, M-38A1, CJ-2A, CJ-3A, CJ-5 was Mather, before changing to Liggett with the groove during early 50's.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Cabin Fever
G-Sergeant First Class
G-Sergeant First Class
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2013 10:04 am
Location: Between Emily and Crosslake, Minnesota

Re: Non level m38A1

Post by Cabin Fever » Sat Apr 14, 2018 2:22 pm

I was told that due to the jeep normally carrying the driver only on the left side, as well as having the gas tank on the left side, the jeep would eventually sag on the left side, The usual fix is to swap the springs from side to side.
1955 M38A1 MD 85388

MVPA Member #35153
Member - Red Bull Historic Military Vehicle Association

User avatar
Jeeps4Brains
G-Lieutenant Colonel
G-Lieutenant Colonel
Posts: 1082
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:56 am
Location: Upstate SC

Re: Non level m38A1

Post by Jeeps4Brains » Sun Apr 15, 2018 6:05 am

On the high side you could place a metal spring block between the spring and the bottom plate where the shock mounts to. That might lower the high side to more match the lower side.

Folks have been doing this to lower vehicles for ages. If you put a thick block there then you will have to have new spring mount U bolts made.

This will even up the ride but purists won't like it.
45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
52' M37, ??' M101A1 (1st Gulf War Vet),
53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
MVPA #31724

fred varda
G-Staff Sergeant
G-Staff Sergeant
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:18 pm
Location:

Re: Non level m38A1

Post by fred varda » Mon Apr 16, 2018 5:21 pm

Many many thanks to all you members who replied. I will pass the info on and will try and find out the conclusion. I will try and post if anything
changes.

Thanks again
Fred

MASH_4077
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 440
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2012 5:55 pm
Location: Fairmount, Indiana

Re: Non level m38A1

Post by MASH_4077 » Tue Apr 17, 2018 6:14 pm

Thats every jeep lol

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Indiana MVPA Vice President
52 M38A1 8/52 MD17418
52 M100 9/52
61 M101 4/61
FOR SALE 54 M38A1
1/54 Build Date
MAKE OFFER!

Joe Gopan
Jeep Heaven
Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
Location: Proving Ground

Re: Non level m38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Apr 19, 2018 3:15 am

If your Jeep with matching original or original quality replacement springs leans, the first stop should be a frame shop to check for a bent or twisted frame.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

JMZ421
G-First Lieutenant
G-First Lieutenant
Posts: 646
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2012 1:21 pm
Location: N.E. Ohio

Re: Non level m38A1

Post by JMZ421 » Thu Apr 19, 2018 1:28 pm

I actaully had this leaning thing on my list when inspecting my M38 to purchase, thanks to advice from everyone here. One of many things. Mine must not have been parachuted or did any rock crawling. Nice and level. If it was driver weight, mine would be on 2 wheels. John


Post Reply

Return to “M38a1 Technical Knowledge Base”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 38 guests