Hey guys, recently posted a question about my 2003 F250 4x4, 6.0 diesel. Prior owner had added "helper" springs to the front to accomodate the larger (almost 35") tires but killed the ride. I was given some great advice about ditching the AM springs and putting in a mini spring pack.

Happy to say I ordered and installed a 2 1/2" mini spring pack for the front and 4" rear block. Went fairly smoothly, considering I did all the work myself and it gave the truck a good look. Found that the sway bar link bushings were shot as well so I replaced all of them. Ran into a small problem putting the factory trackbar back in. Holes wouldn't line up for the two large track bar bolts. Took some doing but got the bolts in after some twisting and cursing. Ended up ordering an adjustable track bar.

Here is where I'm stuck. The steering wheel is now off by almost a 1/2 turn. I've be reading about how you need to make sure the front axle is centered but I'm totally lost on the concept of how to center the front axle. Do you remove the trackbar and loosen the ubolts shackles and then pull to one side or the other? Then reinstall the trackbar?. Do you actually center the axle by adjusting the track bar? I've tried eyeballing it and it does look like the driver side tire juts out a bit more than the other side.

Advice is welcome!

 

the tract bar centers the axle, i unbolted mine took a ride around the block and got a tape measure and took some measurements to make sure. i then adjusted the new tract bar so it lined right up and tightned everything up. For my steering wheel i loosened the upper steering link and turned it untill my whel was straight again. its been two years with no problems whatsoever

 

Measure from the frame to the inside of the tire on both sides and adjust the track bar till the numbers match.
You don't have to loosen anything but the locknuts on the track bar.

Then adjust the steering just as SuperDutyScaler said.

Rob

 

There are a number of interpretations of what "centering" means.

My suggestion:
Unless you are having rubbing or other issues, I would go with just leaving the axle where it is and adjust track bar to give best ride, and then adjust drag link to center the steering wheel.

The best ride happens when the track bar is dead neutral - with no tension or compression. With truck on ground and normally loaded, remove one track bar mounting bolt and adjust track bar until holes line up perfectly.

Then lengthen or shorten the drag link (bar between pitman arm and right side knuckle) adjuster to center the wheel.

 

When I installed my 4.5" lift kit I meant to hang a plumb bob from somewhere on the engine to mark a specific location on the axle with a paint marker so I could perfectly recenter my axle (which is what the adjustable panbar does after a lift) Unfortunately after a six pack I forgot that step.

My thrust alignment between front and back wheels was off. I used an accurate laser level to help re-center them.

I have the type of wheels with the fake beadlock. I got some longer nylon screws of the same thread and pitch and inserted a couple into each back wheel. I centered my front wheels with the steering wheel as straight as possible. I aired up my new tires to identical maximum pressure, and I used a laser level resting on the nylon nuts and pressed firmly against each of the back wheels to project a beam along the front wheels, then I used a small steel rule off of the center of each hub to take my measurement. It isn't the best method, but it's certainly better than eyeballing it, and it only took me about twenty minutes total to get it perfectly centered. Re=align your steering wheel orientation and you are done. When I get in a perfectly flat area, my truck tracks dead center with no hands on the wheel and the wheel stays centered on it's own, so I called it done.

 

Ok guys, I think I'm figuring out what you're talking about. I was originally thinking that the ubolts over the shackles and axle needed to be loosened before adjusting the turnbuckle in the adjustable trackbar. Got home this evening and crawled the truck to take a 2nd look. I now see what has been mentioned here... the trackbar merely adjusts the axle, left to right. I tried to take measurements, was initially off almost 1/2" from one side to the other. As suggested, I adjusted the trackbar turnbuckle, got the axle measurement less than 1/4" difference from side to side and the steering wheel just about straightened up.

Test drive was much better, very smooth. I called a local alignment shop, gonna bring it in next week and discuss everything I've done with their alignment guy.

Keep that input coming!

 

I didn't realize that you had leafs in the front. You might actually need to loosen the ubolts to adjust it, then tighten it up and let it sit on it's weight. I'm having a hard time visualizing how your front end setup works.......mine are coil springs up front.