front end issues
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2013
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front end issues
Hello all,
Im new here but hopefully i can get some help.
My 97 f250's front passenger side tire wears crazy fast. Ive done the ball joints and tie rods, had it aligned and everything is tight. So i invested 1200 in new rubber and now the passenger side is already a little over half tread (mind you, these tires are only 3 months old). The truck is not lifted, and it has the twin I-beams, so im wondering if this is a common issue because of the front suspension carrying my 7.3? I am the second owner and my father never mentioned this issue when i bought the truck from him, ive owned it for 2 years now and i never noticed an issue until i bought new tires. Also, the tire seems to be wearing on the outside more than the inside.
Maybe these hooligans didnt align my truck right? Im clueless, any advice is appreciated.
Im new here but hopefully i can get some help.
My 97 f250's front passenger side tire wears crazy fast. Ive done the ball joints and tie rods, had it aligned and everything is tight. So i invested 1200 in new rubber and now the passenger side is already a little over half tread (mind you, these tires are only 3 months old). The truck is not lifted, and it has the twin I-beams, so im wondering if this is a common issue because of the front suspension carrying my 7.3? I am the second owner and my father never mentioned this issue when i bought the truck from him, ive owned it for 2 years now and i never noticed an issue until i bought new tires. Also, the tire seems to be wearing on the outside more than the inside.
Maybe these hooligans didnt align my truck right? Im clueless, any advice is appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
x2 on the spring bushings. sounds like you're truck is 2 wheel drive. did the PSD's get coil springs on those front ends in 97? my gasser 97 F250 2x4 does, but my 96 f250 4x4 still has leafs.
either way, i'd recommend checking/changing all your front end bushings to poly ones. i got my kit from summit for pretty cheap. i think the brand was 'energy suspension' it held an alignment much better for longer, and rode much better afterward.
either way, i'd recommend checking/changing all your front end bushings to poly ones. i got my kit from summit for pretty cheap. i think the brand was 'energy suspension' it held an alignment much better for longer, and rode much better afterward.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: VA BEACH
yep coils on 2wd models, if anything it is an alignment issue, they either did not do it right or something is causing it to change like spring bushings in the shackles if 4wd like mentioned. sounds like you have a tire dragging your alignment has to be way out
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jul 2013
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Ok thank you, I will look into the poly bushings, im sure they are shot after 240,000 miles. Do they sell a kit for the front end or do I buy them individually? My truck is also a 4wd, so it is all leaf springs. Im certainly not taking it back to the same place, i just dont trust 'em now, but i guess you get what you pay for lol. Anyways, I appreciate the help everyone
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
Isn't this w here someone chimes in and suggests he should swap to an f350 solid front axle? I'm no expert but I thought the 250 ifs was really hard to align and th at is one reason to swap.
OP, you can get the poly bushing kits on eBay for 50-60 I think.
OP, you can get the poly bushing kits on eBay for 50-60 I think.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,375
Likes: 604
From: evansville in
They do come in kit form.
dan.honestly.i keep joshs truck together.its not that bad.obviously a 60 is better but fixing what is broke sure will be cheaper.
dan.honestly.i keep joshs truck together.its not that bad.obviously a 60 is better but fixing what is broke sure will be cheaper.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
good to know. I have seen so many posts suggesting you really needed to swap out for the 60 that I just assumed the other was really bad. maybe just a wish list item then, right?
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,375
Likes: 604
From: evansville in
Dont get me wrong.they were not a great design.but when my labor is free and parts are relatively cheap i just do it. He getsts 60k on ball joints then i do them again. a 60 is not free and thats the budjet.
one of these days it wil need pivot bushings.wish i had done them when i did the leaf bushings.
one of these days it wil need pivot bushings.wish i had done them when i did the leaf bushings.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 154
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From: Evansville, Indiana
Dan, I'm josh the brother in law to Aaron. You met me and my wife(Aaron's sister) at RRE this year. We sat next to you at the drag strip....I am truly grateful for the free labor that he gives us. Lord knows that we could Never repay him for all that he has given us past, present & future. I help him do the work so I can learn from a truly skilled craftsman and awesome friend. I also buy him tools and stuff and surprise him with "toys" on occasion. I also help him on projects that are in my areas of expertise. He is a great blessing to me and I wouldn't know what to do without him. I am just sorry that he had to be bothered with a bum of a brother in law that is terribly un skilled and a lot of times a general pain in the butt! :-)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
Ok - the fog has lifted. Aaron was referring to your F250 above. It's all coming together for me now. I suspect there's less of a one-sided thing going on here than you let on. But Aaron is clearly a great mechanic - that red truck is flat awesome!!
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 14,375
Likes: 604
From: evansville in
Awww shucks fellas.see..josh does spoil me..so i try to keep up. i really like being able to keeping that front end right. it is a personal battle i plan on winning.
i love my red truck.just wish it was at the point where it was closer to my idea of done .
i love my red truck.just wish it was at the point where it was closer to my idea of done .
