Being in the position of having to replace my ball-joints, or so I suspect, in the next month or two, here's a big question:

I've read here where some people increase the castor on the leaf-sprung trucks to get more "centering" of the steering wheel, and helping the inherent wander of not having enough castor.

Generally speaking, I've heard 2 degrees to be the correct amount.

Now, knowing my front-end is currently perfectly aligned, and assuming nothing else changes that, including changing the ball joints (theoretically), I should be able to take the existing alignment cams and figure out what I need.

But that's not what this thread is for, it's to see if anyone has done this, and if so, how it helped...

Thoughts/comments?

 

honestlyihave neverreadthis on the leaf springfront end SD trucks, its always on the 05and newer coil spring front end trucks. But i could be wrong i just never seen it or read about it krewat

 

I know it's usually done to help the "death wobble" on the coil spring trucks...

But one of the problems with the leaf-sprung trucks was last of "centering" especially on the highway, and one way to help that, of course, was castor.

I gotta go do a long detailed search of FTE

 

When I replaced the ball joints all my wobbles went away.
I never thought of the caster though. I don't like shims but a few degrees of shims just to see if it gets better can't hurt.
I can't imagine the work it would be to cut and turn the c's.

 

Don't want to get off the subject but what do guys think of installing longer shackles? That would increase caster and a little lift too. My shackles are tipped back so far they slightly bump frame. They have been like that since 4" springs where installed.

 

There is a cam inside the hole that the top balljoint goes through.

Looks like this:



I believe that Ford has the same thing available, of various offsets. If I take it apart and look at the cam, it is marked to designate offsets, so I can just get the one I need that adds 2 more degrees to the castor.

I think

 

That's ideal. You can dial in whatever you need. I don't think you would even feel any increased steering effort under 5 or 6 degrees anyway.

 

Alldata shows shims to adjust caster and names the part in the posted picture as, a camber adjuster sleeve. Interesting topic It would be nice to hear from a suspension guy on this.

 

I have a a feeling you won't need any upper BJ castor sleeves after you fix the BJ's. I don't know if those sleeves are stock but I believe they are only needed in a problem situation like a bent member etc. Worn BJ's will greatly affect your steering geometry. Usually an alignment isn't even needed after replacing BJ's.

 

Subscribed.

My truck was never great at centering from the day it rolled off the dealers lot. (Neither of my dads SDs centered great either) Just checked my ball joints they are tight yet, which surprised me. I get some wander mainly when loaded down good, at or close to max GVW and towing a boat. I suspect the tires I have are currently are the main cause though.

 

My truck has never centered great, even brand-new. Still gotta review what the stock settings are for castor.

 

Alldata again for my 99 4 deg. +/- 1 deg.