I beam adjustment
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
I beam adjustment
I have an 88' f350 4x2 7.3 with the I beam front suspension on coils.
I have a camber issues and the outside of my drivers side tire is completely bald in ~7k miles.
I was told I need to have the I-beam bent, but then one person said just add/subtract shims.
Can someone explain these shims to me? Everything in the front suspension is new and when it was put in it was never adjusted except alignment good enough to drive.
I have a camber issues and the outside of my drivers side tire is completely bald in ~7k miles.
I was told I need to have the I-beam bent, but then one person said just add/subtract shims.
Can someone explain these shims to me? Everything in the front suspension is new and when it was put in it was never adjusted except alignment good enough to drive.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,533
Likes: 17
From: SW Florida
Not shims, you adjust camber by replacing the bushings that hold the ball joints. The replacement bushings have an off-center bore so that when you turn them, they adjust caster/camber at the same time.
Never heard of bending the I-beams to fix alignment, unless it's to straighten a beam that was already bent. The 2wd trucks (or at least my 94 F-250) have a warning "Do Not Bend Heat Weld" cast right into the beam.
Never heard of bending the I-beams to fix alignment, unless it's to straighten a beam that was already bent. The 2wd trucks (or at least my 94 F-250) have a warning "Do Not Bend Heat Weld" cast right into the beam.
Last edited by dixie460; Apr 23, 2014 at 06:08 AM. Reason: Fixed bad spelling...
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 616
Likes: 5
From: Missouri - Lake of the Oz
Chiropractic for your Twin I Beam...
Hers is a link to an example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ADJUSTER-Camber-Bushing-Twin-I-Beam-NEW-FORD-E0TZ-3B440P-Ranger-1982-88-A8-/231116982448?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35cfa548b0&vxp=mtr
dn.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ADJUSTER-Camber-Bushing-Twin-I-Beam-NEW-FORD-E0TZ-3B440P-Ranger-1982-88-A8-/231116982448?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35cfa548b0&vxp=mtr
dn.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,958
Likes: 592
From: Greater Austin, Texas
They used to bend the I-beams in the olden days. The newer I-beams (like ~1980 forward) are not bendable. The old ones were forged whereas the new ones are cast, or something like that. Anyway it has to do with how they are made.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
If your front wheels sit like this /--\ all the time then your front springs are sacked and/or the I beam bushings are worn. Sagging front springs on a diesel truck isn't uncommon but note that camber will always be a little messed up after backing up the vehicle and you need to pull forward a few feet to return it to it's natural state.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,958
Likes: 592
From: Greater Austin, Texas
Well he said the outside of his tire was worn, that is positive camber, like this \--/, so worn springs is not the problem.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
If your front wheels sit like this /--\ all the time then your front springs are sacked and/or the I beam bushings are worn. Sagging front springs on a diesel truck isn't uncommon but note that camber will always be a little messed up after backing up the vehicle and you need to pull forward a few feet to return it to it's natural state.
As far as the bushings, they should not be an issue as everything in the front suspension is brand new as of 11k miles ago.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,958
Likes: 592
From: Greater Austin, Texas
The bushing has an offset hole in the center that the ball joint stud fits into. You twist the bushing one way or another move the upper ball joint inboard or outboard. There are different offsets on the bushings depending on how much adjustment is required. This means that every adjustment is a compromise between camber & caster, but thankfully these trucks are not, in my experience, very sensitive to caster changes.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dfawvor
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
2
Jun 30, 2003 11:01 AM