MTFCA Forum

Leaning left is not only my politics, it's also an issue with my 1915/16 runabout. The right side fenders (front and rear) measure 3" higher than the left side. It's been this way since I bought it 5 years ago and it hasn't really bothered me but I'd like to straighten it up. Any suggestions?

Probably the springs.

1) Check that the springs are correctly centered in their frame mounts & pads.
2) Look for broken leafs. Some can be hidden behind frame channels.
If the springs are in tact, but maybe weak on the driver side, turn them around.

My car had the same problem not as bad about an inch and a half , when I broke the crank while it was apart we flipped both springs as it had been 50 years now the car leans a little right but is level when I get in.

Make sure shackles and perches are not binding.

I don't think this is your problem but, don't forget about the spring clips (the u bolts).
The early front crankcase front bearing uses 2 U bolts and the later uses one.

Having these unevenly tight or just loose will cause crooked and other problems.
The proper tension (torque) applies to ALL fasteners in a Model T so check them all while you are in the area.
Mike

Martin wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 27, 2026 12:17 pm

Leaning left is not only my politics, it's also an issue with my 1915/16 runabout. The right side fenders (front and rear) measure 3" higher than the left side. It's been this way since I bought it 5 years ago and it hasn't really bothered me but I'd like to straighten it up. Any suggestions?

Wondering how much higher the running board is if both front & rear right side fenders are 3" higher. The Model T 3 point suspension allows the front transverse leaf spring to angel independently of the rear. So a front spring issue wouldn't necessarily cause the rear & vs versa.
I'd measure some other points for differences, the ends of the springs, sides of frame, to narrow down where a difference does not exist

Very common. Especially if a former owner was heavy or obese.

Try jacking each end of the car in turn EXACTLY under the axle centre line. That will tell you which spring or its mounting is at fault. It's the one that's up in the air, and the car remains level.

I measured my running board heights:
Left Front 15-3/4 RF 16-3/4
Front side-to-side difference is 1 inch
LR 16-3/4 RR 18-1/2
Rear side to side difference is 1-3/4 inches
My T body is pretty rough, clearly the fenders are out of whack and the running board brackets may be also.
The windshield is very clearly tilted, that's the most obvious "cosmetic" issue that I'd like to improve.
I like the "jack up the center of the axles" idea, I'll try that soon.
Thanks to all who have responded!

If you put a jack under the middle of the front axle, put a 2 foot length of 4X4 hardwood between the jack and the axle. Otherwise, you may bend the axle.///////
You could also park the car on a level surface and use two floor jacks under the frame on the low side, one just behind the front wheel and one just ahead of the rear wheel. Level the frame with the jacks, then see how the rest of the car looks. If it's reasonably straight with the jacks holding the frame level, then you have spring issues, such as the spring to cross member clamps, stiff shackles, weak, stiff, or broken spring leaves, springs not centered in cross members, etc. The commonest cause of leaning is stiff, rusty, or broken springs, and uneven tightening of the spring to cross member u bolts.

Martin wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 29, 2026 10:00 am

I measured my running board heights:
Left Front 15-3/4 RF 16-3/4
Front side-to-side difference is 1 inch
LR 16-3/4 RR 18-1/2
Rear side to side difference is 1-3/4 inches
My T body is pretty rough, clearly the fenders are out of whack and the running board brackets may be also.
The windshield is very clearly tilted, that's the most obvious "cosmetic" issue that I'd like to improve.
I like the "jack up the center of the axles" idea, I'll try that soon.
Thanks to all who have responded!

One would expect the right side running boards to be lower from stepping in & out. Since its a 1915/16 you bought, it may have a mix of parts (tilted windshield?) and tha's causing a problem. Some photo's would help. Wish I was a bit closer to take a look.

Picture from https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/5 ... 1426184252

Does the cowl lean with the windshield?

TXGOAT2 wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 29, 2026 2:40 pm

Does the cowl lean with the windshield?

Good question! Not sure what Martin meant by "tilted" though. Like you suggest or leaning back like a later model vs upright on a 1915.
Pictures are worth a 1000 words, we can only speculate.