Front wheels toe in.
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Front wheels toe in.
I have a 95 f250 ext. cab 4wd. Looking at the front of the truck from a distance the front wheels tip out at the top instead of tiping in. I noticed the f250's we have at work also dothe same. Is that true of most 90's 250's? or is there a bushing problem?
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From: Copley, OH
Front wheels toe in.
That's NOT toe-in, it's called positive camber. When the wheels tip in at the top that's called negative camber. Most cars and light trucks run a little bit of negative camber when properly aligned. The older F-series trucks with the Twin I-beam suspension are one of the few exceptions, they should run a slight amount of positive camber. It has to do with the suspension geometry in a corner, nothing to worry about.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Concord, NC
Front wheels toe in.
Is there any way to get the camber more negative? The positive camber and the way the wheels turn in the corners are causing the outside edge of the tire to wear more than the inside, and I'd like to fix that. Also, the camber on my truck goes negative after I back up for a few feet, and goes positive when I drive foreward. Is that a ball joint problem? I think even given the design of the twin I beams, the camber should be able to get to at least 0*.
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Copley, OH
Front wheels toe in.
IIRC the camber spec is -1/4° to +3/4°. Significant initial negative camber is a bad thing on a swing axle front end. As the truck rolls in a corner, there would be an initial increase in traction followed by a dramatic decrease. It would make things like expressway ramps an "adventure." Not a good idea.
The apparent change in camber you see when going from forward to reverse and back is normal. It is because the play in the trailing arm bushings allow a small change in caster and that causes a change in camber. If the bushings are worn, the change can be significant. When you're actually driving though the trailing arm bushings are always loaded in the same direction so no change occurs.
The Twin I Beam suspension is a bit primitive and is not really designed for maximum handling capability. It is designed to be strong, durable and to provide adequate control on extremely uneven surfaces. In that respect it is in some ways better than the a-arm suspensions found on the newer trucks.
The apparent change in camber you see when going from forward to reverse and back is normal. It is because the play in the trailing arm bushings allow a small change in caster and that causes a change in camber. If the bushings are worn, the change can be significant. When you're actually driving though the trailing arm bushings are always loaded in the same direction so no change occurs.
The Twin I Beam suspension is a bit primitive and is not really designed for maximum handling capability. It is designed to be strong, durable and to provide adequate control on extremely uneven surfaces. In that respect it is in some ways better than the a-arm suspensions found on the newer trucks.
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Front wheels toe in.
I know my truck needs new ball joints and u-joints because there is some uneven wear on the tires. The other truck at work has the same stance as my truck and the tires wear evenly, so the design on the f250 front end must keep things in check even though it looks like a problem.
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