Please help its like shes drunk
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Please help its like shes drunk
ok here goes
2008 F350, Procomp 8" lift, 37x13.50R22, truck was great until yesterday when we reaplaced the ball joints and track bar bushing. Now that we've replaced the ball joints and track bar bushing she wanders all over the road. Took it in to get an alignment, tech said it was way toed in, says he adjusted it however he didnt fix anything, still wanders all over the place. when dry steering it without engine running you can see a little play in the steering box but not enough as far as i can see (been told thats normal with larger tires). Noticed that my dual steering stabilizers are leaking, perhaps they're screwed, but from what i've found or heard they only cover up issues not fix them. we leave Wednesday for a week long quad trip and im am absolutely terrified to hook up to our 30' tag and pull it 400km with the truck acting the way it is as i am sure the trailer weight will only make the problem worse. if anyone could help that would be great. also tie rods and all other bushings seem to be in good condition. PLEASE HELP
2008 F350, Procomp 8" lift, 37x13.50R22, truck was great until yesterday when we reaplaced the ball joints and track bar bushing. Now that we've replaced the ball joints and track bar bushing she wanders all over the road. Took it in to get an alignment, tech said it was way toed in, says he adjusted it however he didnt fix anything, still wanders all over the place. when dry steering it without engine running you can see a little play in the steering box but not enough as far as i can see (been told thats normal with larger tires). Noticed that my dual steering stabilizers are leaking, perhaps they're screwed, but from what i've found or heard they only cover up issues not fix them. we leave Wednesday for a week long quad trip and im am absolutely terrified to hook up to our 30' tag and pull it 400km with the truck acting the way it is as i am sure the trailer weight will only make the problem worse. if anyone could help that would be great. also tie rods and all other bushings seem to be in good condition. PLEASE HELP
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Ask them for an alignment print out sheet for your truck after they are done pissing around.
Factory calls for an absurd + 0.9 to - 0.6 You want bare minimum the -0.6 I'd tell them to go to at least -1.0 if they will listen. Most "shops" won't do it because they are liable and are going outside the "requirements".
Factory calls for an absurd + 0.9 to - 0.6 You want bare minimum the -0.6 I'd tell them to go to at least -1.0 if they will listen. Most "shops" won't do it because they are liable and are going outside the "requirements".
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So I go to the shop that did the alighnment and magically they can't find or reprint the alighnment sheet........seems fishy to me!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Albuquerque
Have them re-align the truck...and then have them take it for a drive. You site in the passenger seat...and see if the tech has the same issues you did.
Good luck with it...
biz
Good luck with it...
biz
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
The alignment machine doesn't save info from alignments. The printout has to be done when the truck is all hooked up. But it should be automatic for a "garage/shop" to do a printout after doing an alignment. It is done to prove the work done. otherwise they can take the vehicle in the back and park it for awhile and just charge you for work never done.
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Ok here is where I am at, had the truck realigned by a shop I trust, gave the me the print out and everything is good there. Hook up to my tailer to head out for may long and I have to drive 80km/h or I'm all over the road, the smallest correction sends my truck line to line causing the trailer to whip back and forth very dangerously. Stop in at a ford dealer on our way to our destination and the mechanic says it needs a new steeringe box but they don't have time to do it. So I buy a steering box and install it myself, alignment is still fine as nothing was moved, yet I still have the same issue. I'm thinking maybe it's time for a high steer kit or something along those lines, any help would be great
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
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From: Stevens Point, WI
Is that positive caster and camber?
Only happens when you hook up the trailer? What kind of trailer, weight, hitch, and stuff? Not enough tongue weight will cause lots of sway with trailers.
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Are the ball joints really stiff? If you turn the engine off, jack the front wheels off the ground, is it easy to turn ?
Sometimes, when putting ball joints in, it's easy to screw up and get them way too preloaded. The bottom ball joint needs to be torqued up to 70ft/lbs or more, THEN the top, then redo the bottom. If you tighten up the top first, even a little, you can wind up putting stress between the ball joints and they will be very stiff to turn.
What'll happen is there is enough stiffness that the wheels no longer center even when the castor is correct.
Sometimes, when putting ball joints in, it's easy to screw up and get them way too preloaded. The bottom ball joint needs to be torqued up to 70ft/lbs or more, THEN the top, then redo the bottom. If you tighten up the top first, even a little, you can wind up putting stress between the ball joints and they will be very stiff to turn.
What'll happen is there is enough stiffness that the wheels no longer center even when the castor is correct.