help with steering
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Ithaca
help with steering
So a question to you all. In the last few months I have replaced upper and lower ball joints (mooge) replaced front and fear springs with modded V and Modded B codes form ford new tires adjusted the steering box and a wheel alignment. The truck is not sloppy any more but is kind of grabby. Not sure how to explain but it is hard to keep a strait line. you have to constantly correct ir left to right but if you go a little too much it really wants to move. you kind of weave back and forth. would the F250 springs make the specs for the alignment different? that is the only thing I can think of. Thanks for the help.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Give your toe in a quick check by standing back front and rear 20 feet and sight across the tires front to back and/or you can run a string from back to front across the middle of the tires. It's not the new springs.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Ithaca
I dont believe the springs are the cause but I'm asking if the specs for the alignment are different between the excursion and the F250. Forgive me if I use the wrong terminology. Like the amount of "toe in"
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Probably the same, just give them about a quarter inch toe in to see if it will eliminate your darting problem.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Caster and camber but the camber is hard to adjust since it is done with an eccentric bushing at the top of the top ball joint which should already be correct if the ball joints and and wheel bearings are good and the caster is built into the straight axle and knuckle and not normally incorrect.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Ithaca
OK got it I will have them check the alignment again. So would too much or not enough toe in cause this "darting" Thanks for the advise
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
Mine was doing that too and I had to replace the gearbox to get it to go away. I've had luck in the past tightening the gearbox but it did NOT work this time. The springs did change the alignment too - argued with the fella at the alignment place until we agreed that I would pay for him to align it if it changed due to the springs. It did, and I was happy to pay for the alignment. It fixed it.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 13
From: Forest lake minnesota
Mine was doing that too and I had to replace the gearbox to get it to go away. I've had luck in the past tightening the gearbox but it did NOT work this time. The springs did change the alignment too - argued with the fella at the alignment place until we agreed that I would pay for him to align it if it changed due to the springs. It did, and I was happy to pay for the alignment. It fixed it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 13
From: Forest lake minnesota
Thanks for the info.. I am in need of a new gearbox I think because mine does not want the keep a straight line either , I to have done everything else like ball joints and allignment, I am just trying to figure out if it is worth the extra coin to go with a redhead or not. It sounds like you have had good luck with a cheaper parts store box..
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
Thanks for the info.. I am in need of a new gearbox I think because mine does not want the keep a straight line either , I to have done everything else like ball joints and allignment, I am just trying to figure out if it is worth the extra coin to go with a redhead or not. It sounds like you have had good luck with a cheaper parts store box..
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 13
From: Forest lake minnesota
Was the new box centered and adjusted up correctly when you installed it? I know that's one of redheads selling points is that its ready to go with no adjustments needed.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
I didn't adjust it at all. The wheel was off center after install, but I am not sure which box to blame that on. The mechanic said that the old box was turned all the way out, lots of thread showing. Someone had messed with it before. I figure it was a factory defect.