I had really bad negative camber and got new tires recently and wanted to have an alignment done. They said it was not possible to get it in spec as it was. I thought it needed new ball joints so I just got done doing new upper/lower ball joints and all new steering rods/ends. Obviously didn't help the camber at all. Granted, I may not have the camber sleeve set right in the upper ball joint but it can't make it as bad as it is. What do I have to do to get this thing's camber correct?

 

I have the same issue but not nearly as much, and only when I back up. Sorry, I'm not trying to steal your post, but maybe we could both get answers.

Any reason why my tires are straight as can be when going straight, but when backing up I get negative camber? (not as much)

 

I think it's a similar issue but mine is still bad driving forward. That pic was right after reversing. When going forward it's still bad, but not as bad as reversing.

 

Yea, I dunno, I see alot of F series trucks from 92 to 96 having camber problems.

Hopefully we'll get some answers.

 

Seeing some negative camber after backing up is normal on these trucks since you are compressing the front springs, but you should not see as much as in the pics. Have you replaced your front springs? It almost looks like it used to have a lift kit on it but they put the stock springs back on without removing the TTB drop brackets. A pic of the TTB underneath the truck would help.

 

Forgive me, I don't understand exactly what to get a pic of for you. Do you mean a pic of the front of the axle where it mounts to the frame? I'll get you whatever is necessary to fix this, just let me know. Are there separate ball joints in the TTB bracket?

 

Yes.

The only ball joints are the ones you said you replaced - they are out on the ends which attaches the spindle to the TTB arm.

 

There are sleeves that go in the hole were the upper ball joint goes in and they allow from -2* to +2 or 3* of chamber adjustment. If that doesn't work a body shop can pull the camber out on the top or the last little bit.

 

Those sleeves have an offset hole in the middle for the ball joint stud which when turned allows the ball joint to come out or go in. An parts store carries them and they aren't hard to change. Once they are in don't tighten the nut on the ball joint all te way until you adjust the camber out. Just eye ball it and then take it to an alignment shop and they can fine tune it for you. I wouldnt drive it much as is or you will toast those tires and like everything else tires aren't cheap. Good luck

 

You may also need new pivot bushings. I had the same issue but opted to swap in a solid axle instead of fixing the TTB.

 

Ah, ok, I'll look into it when I come back from vacation. Are they a total PITA to do or not too bad?

 

Would tired springs cause the camber issue? They look awfully close to the bumpstops. The truck was backed up into this position if that makes a difference. If that's what's causing my camber issue, how to fix? Helper springs or what?

 

Yes, worn out springs would cause the exact problem you are seeing.

 

The bushings wear out in these from the twisting motion of the leaf springs in this axle set up.You need to inspect!

Pivot bushings

Leaf spring bushings ALL (the ones hidden in the front of the frame also)

The springs may also be sagging from age and either need to be replaced or re arched.

 

Thanks for all the help guys! So I'm going to order new front leafs, new shackles, new u-bolts, and new shackle/eye bolts. Should that do the trick?

Replacing the leafs sounds a bit scary to me. I have a lift so I was figuring put the truck up on the lift (using the frame of course), jackstands under the axle, then what? What's going to let loose and how hard when I pull the shackles/eye bolts/u-bolts?