2014 Alignment Issues
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
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From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
2014 Alignment Issues
Starting this thread in hopes it may help someone in the same situation I have found myself in.
First, a little history. In January of this year, I lifted my 2014 F250 Platinum, the truck had 42xx miles on it, after the lift installation, the steering wheel was off, about a quarter to the left. Took it back, they corrected it. Drove the truck the requisite 500 miles, it was pulling some to the right during that time. Brought it back to have everything torques and the alignment done again. Needless to say, it always pulled slightly to the right, I've brought to the installer a total of 3 times, no success, dealership once, no go. Finally broke down and got it to a custom shop here in town, one week and $500.00 later, she drives perfect.
The remedy ended up being adjustable caster bushings, but they ended up with 1° on the right and 2° on the left. I've put a little over 100 miles on it today and it's like a new truck.
Anyway, if you are having issues, mention the bushings, it may not be the fix for your truck, or the same combination as mine, but it can be fixed!
First, a little history. In January of this year, I lifted my 2014 F250 Platinum, the truck had 42xx miles on it, after the lift installation, the steering wheel was off, about a quarter to the left. Took it back, they corrected it. Drove the truck the requisite 500 miles, it was pulling some to the right during that time. Brought it back to have everything torques and the alignment done again. Needless to say, it always pulled slightly to the right, I've brought to the installer a total of 3 times, no success, dealership once, no go. Finally broke down and got it to a custom shop here in town, one week and $500.00 later, she drives perfect.
The remedy ended up being adjustable caster bushings, but they ended up with 1° on the right and 2° on the left. I've put a little over 100 miles on it today and it's like a new truck.
Anyway, if you are having issues, mention the bushings, it may not be the fix for your truck, or the same combination as mine, but it can be fixed!
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 535
From: Chandler, AZ
Thanks for sharing. How much lift? Running radius arm drop brackets?
Its OK that the bushings are different. What are your after alignment measurements? 3 degrees is the minumum caster I would consider acceptable.
1 degree of caster will only correct 0.5" of lift. The biggest bushing is 2.6 degrees, and therefore by itself can only correct (best case) a lift kit of about 1.25".
Its OK that the bushings are different. What are your after alignment measurements? 3 degrees is the minumum caster I would consider acceptable.
1 degree of caster will only correct 0.5" of lift. The biggest bushing is 2.6 degrees, and therefore by itself can only correct (best case) a lift kit of about 1.25".
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
Thanks for sharing. How much lift? Running radius arm drop brackets?
Its OK that the bushings are different. What are your after alignment measurements? 3 degrees is the minumum caster I would consider acceptable.
1 degree of caster will only correct 0.5" of lift. The biggest bushing is 2.6 degrees, and therefore by itself can only correct (best case) a lift kit of about 1.25".
Its OK that the bushings are different. What are your after alignment measurements? 3 degrees is the minumum caster I would consider acceptable.
1 degree of caster will only correct 0.5" of lift. The biggest bushing is 2.6 degrees, and therefore by itself can only correct (best case) a lift kit of about 1.25".
Before the alignment:
Caster:
Left 3.1° Right 1.7°
After
Left 1.6° Right3.0°
These are just the caster numbers.
It drives like it should now. Didn't realize they could be such a PITA!
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 1
From: Hattiesburg, Ms.
It was in the shop for a week, in their defense, alot of time was waiting on Ford to have parts "overnighted" twice they sent the wrong ID bushing. That's another thing, my truck is a late build '14, evidently some of the bushings are different that the earlier builds.
As I said earlier, it wasn't terrible, but it would track to the right if you let go of the wheel, and on some roads, you had to hold the wheel left slightly. Drove me nuts! My OCD can't take much! It's 100% better now, I mean you can tell the truck is lifted, but your not constantly having to adjust the wheel on arrow straight roads now!
As I said earlier, it wasn't terrible, but it would track to the right if you let go of the wheel, and on some roads, you had to hold the wheel left slightly. Drove me nuts! My OCD can't take much! It's 100% better now, I mean you can tell the truck is lifted, but your not constantly having to adjust the wheel on arrow straight roads now!
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