Toe in Angle Issues
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
Toe in Angle Issues
The tires on the front of my F-250 4x4 look like this \ /. All of the stuff on the front is about 2yrs old and probably not driven for more than 20k and I have kept the alignment up as well. I used Moog on all of the ball joints, tierod ends, drag links and pit man's. I have done the bearings and seals as well.
What causes this and how do I fix it?
What causes this and how do I fix it?
Last edited by ctubutis; Feb 13, 2012 at 05:24 PM. Reason: Tow = Toe ;)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 4
The tires on the front of my F-250 4x4 look like this \ /. All of the stuff on the front is about 2yrs old and probably not driven for more than 20k and I have kept the alignment up as well. I used Moog on all of the ball joints, tierod ends, drag links and pit man's. I have done the bearings and seals as well.
What causes this and how do I fix it?
What causes this and how do I fix it?
So, if you were looking down on the truck from above, you're saying the tires would look like
/---\
--1--
|---|
^^^ That?
A little bit of toe in is necessary to help keep the vehicle from wandering on the roads. Excessive toe-in can lead to tire wearing issues.
If your tires look excessively "toe-d" in, I'd say take it to a reputable alignment shop and see what they say.
Does the truck have a lift or bigger tires than stock?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,948
Likes: 2,717
From: Virginia
Make sure you drive forward on level ground before you get out and look at it. If you back up or are parked on a hill, the front tires on a ttb do weird things. If that's not it, it sounds like you have installed a "leveling" kit on it, and they can't quite get the alignment in spec because of it.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
I wonder if the front leafs are just shot? The front end shop told me I might need to install some different camber bushings or camber bushings ball joints or something like that.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,948
Likes: 2,717
From: Virginia
The upper balljoint is not mounted directly into the spindle, but it's mounted into a bushing that surrounds the balljoint, and the bushing then fits into the spindle. These bushings can be bought with different "offsets", making them look like a cam. When the alignment guy spins these bushings around, it actually moves the position of the upper balljoint and can correct alignment issues if they are not too bad.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
Likes: 5
From: Broken Arrow , OK
Ok, so I was wondering if there were different degrees of these bushings or not. Sounds like a bushing is somewhat adjustable though. I wouldnt let them put them in b/c I thought they wanted too much for them. So I need to put some in it and take it back to the alignment shop is what it is sounding like.
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,948
Likes: 2,717
From: Virginia
They do come in different degrees. You will need to let them pick the right ones. They need to have some experience in doing this, and/or the alignment machine software will tell them which bushings they need to install. They have to to use the same bushing to get the caster and the camber in the ballpark, all in one operation. If they gave you a readout from the previous alignment, they may be able to figure out what to order from that.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
I just put some new springs on my truck to lift the front about 1-1/2"-2", and had the same camber issue. I ended up getting a set of adjustable camber bushings (from Bronco Graveyard) and had my alignment guy install them when he did my alignment. I believe that they took care of my issue.
So much easier to set caster, camber and toe. I have a longacre tool that we use on the race car and it works like a charm.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 997
Likes: 2
From: Rock Valley, IA
You have to admit they are easier than what we have on our trucks. And by easier I mean I'm more familiar with them. Bahahahaha
Seriously though, IMO "A" arms are easier to work with than the TTB system Ford decided to go with.
Seriously though, IMO "A" arms are easier to work with than the TTB system Ford decided to go with.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
I would have to agree with that statement. That being said, I think Ford trucks ride more like trucks than Chevy trucks, which ride more like cars. That's just my opinion though.
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
Likes: 11
From: Exmore, VA
Here is what a really good front end man told me several years ago on an 87 F250 4X4:
Put the truck on a level piece of pavement.
Take a couple of pieces of 2X4 to set against the bead area of the rims.
Use a long enough level to span across.
The wheels should be vertical at no load.
On a 4X4 the ball joint camber bushings should be on top and are fairly easy to change. I would start by seeing if you have them facing the wrong way.
If you jack the truck up, drive it back and forth a little to "settle" the suspension before checking again.
This is what I was told to do on our Boy Scout camp 87 F250.
Put the truck on a level piece of pavement.
Take a couple of pieces of 2X4 to set against the bead area of the rims.
Use a long enough level to span across.
The wheels should be vertical at no load.
On a 4X4 the ball joint camber bushings should be on top and are fairly easy to change. I would start by seeing if you have them facing the wrong way.
If you jack the truck up, drive it back and forth a little to "settle" the suspension before checking again.
This is what I was told to do on our Boy Scout camp 87 F250.