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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Wheel alignment

Old Aug 6, 2014 | 01:52 PM
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Wheel alignment

Hi, would be grateful if someone could let me know what the toe setting should be for my truck, in case they ask at the place I'm going to take it to for an alignment. I'm in the UK so they won't have any experience with these vehicles.

It's a 69 F100 2wd with a 390 and C6. The previous owner did a front disk brake conversion (not sure if that makes a difference) and told me he used the spindles from a 73 F150, though I'm sure he must have meant F100.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 01:57 PM
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Per chilton manual, Your truck should have a toe-in of 1/8".
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 02:04 PM
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Excellent thanks. I need to get hold of a manual.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 02:08 PM
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When they align it, you should try to sit in the driver seat. With the way the front suspension is, loading makes a difference. (Maybe not much on toe setting, but camber for sure)
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 02:09 PM
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Okay, thanks for the tip. Didn't think you could adjust camber (or caster) on these setups though?
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 02:15 PM
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Not really, but it's better to check what it is when driving. If the old springs are sagging that causes a camber issue. I'm not sure if 73 had adjustable caster/camber bushings or not.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 02:21 PM
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Thanks, I appreciate your help. going to try and take it somewhere tomorrow. It seems to want to wander a lot and the bushings look good, plus I managed to take the play out of the steering by turning the adjuster on the steering box. So guess, it's probably the alignment.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 02:23 PM
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How did you adjust the box? My steering is sloppy and I would like to tighten it up some. Which screws did you turn????
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 02:37 PM
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Right on top of the box is a locknut and adjustment screw. I raised the front end, loosened the locknut and turned the screw a quarter turn at at time, checking after each adjustment to see if the play had decreased and whether the steering was still moving freely from lock to lock.

I went 3/4 turn in total and that removed most of the play and the steering is still free. Could have tried going further but that seemed enough and rather than about 2" play at the wheel I now have maybe 1/2" at most.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 02:41 PM
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Sweet. I'm gonna go try it right now.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 07:01 PM
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I went a little over 1 turn. It's a lot better that's for sure.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 07:49 PM
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When I used to work at a Ford dealer we would adjust the camber and/or caster, by bending or twisting the I beams.
 
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Old Aug 6, 2014 | 07:59 PM
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That's how you do it. But a lot of shops don't have the equipment to do it. A big rig semi shop could probably do it if a pickup would fit on their rack.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2014 | 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by 351Cleveland C4
That's how you do it. But a lot of shops don't have the equipment to do it. A big rig semi shop could probably do it if a pickup would fit on their rack.
So, I am guessing this is not a do-at-home job, unless one has some serious equipment at home.
 
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Old Aug 29, 2014 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by quinletc
So, I am guessing this is not a do-at-home job, unless one has some serious equipment at home.
Toe is all you can do at home. Springs control the camber angle. If the springs are old and sagging the camber will be negative. Wide tires make the problem more evident.
 
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