Please Help?!?!?!?!
Help!!!!!!!!!
hi gang, i have a real good one that has stumped me for months and i need some help.
i have a 1990 f150 2wd a/t, 295/50/r15 bfg,on 15x10 a/r's. 8ft bed long wb.this truck has been lowered 2" in the front via coil springs. b4 i got this truck it was in an accident.
now with this backround info can anyone tell me why i have to change balljoints every 3-6 months? usually the uppers.
my theories are as follows:1. the trucks frame is out of whack because of the previous acc? 2.does the large tire size have anything to do with it? any help is greatly appreciated as i am at my witts end ,and if i can't figure this out i will have to sell the truck, and i don't really want to do that. thanks a bunch.


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have a great one!!

 

I would have the frame checked by a competant frame shop.
I wonder about the dropping the front via coil springs, were these replacement springs or cut springs. Cut springs can be weaker and change the ride quality and handling. Also changing the height front or rear changes the suspension geometry and could be enough to cause premature wear. If raising the rear and not repositioning the rear end can lead to premature u-joint failure and trans seal wear. I would also look into getting the front end realigned, caster and camber by a shop that deals with ride height differences and big tires. Also the extra rotating mass can cause extra wear on ball joints and bearings.

 

thanks,
this was a problem even b4 it was lowered,and new rims and tires. the lower springs were bought from a respectable place and designed for the truck. thats why i have the theory of the previous damage not getting fixed correctly.( bent frame?) just not sure if my theory makes sense. thanks again

 

Then for sure have a frame shop check it. Not only could it lead to suspension problems but others as well. ie drivetrain premature wear and while on the frame machine I would take a good hard look at the underside. Nothing like having it up high so you can see under with a light to find out if there is other damage, maybe to the floor pan. Good luck.

 

thanks for all your ideas.
but i have to wonder how do all the other people lower their trucks with coil springs, and not experience any problems? also there are tons of trucks with huge tires on the road, do they have problems too? i hope it is just a frame straightening away from fixed. cuz this problem started before i did the mods. does anyone know how i can get the geometry diagnosed? can a frame shop or front end shop do it? if so any recomendations in the mass. area? thanks for all your help!

 

Sorry I haven't came back sooner. Any competent frame shop will not only be able to show you if the frame is bent but can straighten it and quite a few should be able to do a front end aligment to include recomendations as th whether to adjust anything to correct for ball joint wear. As for why not others? I've seen bad alignments on big tire trucks and other problems. Me personally I never saw the beauty in large tired raised trucks so never went there. Best of luck to you.

 

thanks i will keep everyone posted with my findings.

 

have the frame shop also check to see if you need caster/camber adjustments.i've gone up and down with trucks and some needed adjustments.but definately start with the frame.