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Hey all, I've got a problem with my new truck. I recently got a 88 F250, 7.3/ZF5 with the Dana 50 axle under the front. Shortly after purchase, I had to replace all the tie rods. It was after that when I started driving it and noticing that I occasionally get serious camber issues on the front end. At the time, I thought it was due to the fact that the tie rods were a little long, and it was causing the bottom of the tires to kick out. Now that I've had it aligned, I can't figure out why it's happening.
What kind of things could be causing a camber issue like that? It only happens in certain situations, so I'm at a loss.
Characteristic of the TTB. Gets worse as things wear out. Changing all of the rubber bushings, helps.
For the amount of gap you have under the bump stop, it doesn't appear that your springs have sagged too bad. But with that much camber, the ball joints may be toast.
Characteristic of the TTB. Gets worse as things wear out. Changing all of the rubber bushings, helps.
For the amount of gap you have under the bump stop, it doesn't appear that your springs have sagged too bad. But with that much camber, the ball joints may be toast.
There is a lift on the truck.. Blocks in the back are 4", and since it sits level there was something done to the front. I haven't been able to figure out what was done, since there doesn't appear to be add-a-leafs...
All TTB front ends do that. Although yours might be a bit extreme... I'd check the ball joints and bushings out. But otherwise it's normal when backing up for the wheels to do that. If you don't like it then you can swap to a solid axle.
There is a lift on the truck.. Blocks in the back are 4", and since it sits level there was something done to the front. I haven't been able to figure out what was done, since there doesn't appear to be add-a-leafs...
Thanks
I'm thinking the front springs have been replaced. The stock ones have negative arch.
Yeah those aren't stock spring packs but the axle is straight across like it should be so the truck also has pivot drop brackets on it too.. can partially see one in the second pic.
I can't tell for sure, but it looks to me like the tie rods aren't running at the same angle as stock. That would definitely be true if it's still using the stock pitman arm rather than a drop on. If that is the case I would expect toe-in to change quite a bit as the suspension cycles, that could exaggerate the camber change when backing up too.
I would look into the balljoints and also...especially the bushings and suspension geometry. If the leaf spring and axle pivot bushings are worn out, reversing or certain situations would cause it to do that. With the swapped springs, the lift will amplify whatever that is.
I agree that there may be lift pivot brackets. If only taller springs were added the wheels would be tilted outward and not inward like yours seem to be.
I agree that there may be lift pivot brackets. If only taller springs were added the wheels would be tilted outward and not inward like yours seem to be.
But the point is that his truck doesn't do this normally, only after it backs up. As people have already said, some of this is normal with the TTB front end. Because of the toe-in that it's supposed to have, as you drive forward the tires are trying to push themselves closer together which, due the the TTB geometry, tips the top of the tires out. Since that's the way the tires are usually running, that's the alignment should be set to be correct that way. But then when you back up the opposite happens. Because of the toe-in the tires try to pull themselves apart when they are going the opposite direction. And then the TTB geometry tips the top of the tire in. Since this is not how the truck is normally driven it really doesn't make much difference.
Hey Jameson, Given that your tires aren't showing any camber wear, my bet is that it's the worn bushings causing the issue when backing up, also, you need to order those new tires off amazon already.
LA is hot as **** and I don't get free beer because I'm under 21
I can't tell for sure, but it looks to me like the tie rods aren't running at the same angle as stock. That would definitely be true if it's still using the stock pitman arm rather than a drop on. If that is the case I would expect toe-in to change quite a bit as the suspension cycles, that could exaggerate the camber change when backing up too.
I don't know if it has a drop pitman arm or not. Is there some measurement that I could take? Also, how bad is it not having a dropped pitman arm if I don't have the appropriate one?
I guess my next step will be to check out all the bushings and ball joints, see what things look like.
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And Kellen, sorry about the no free beer. I'm sure you'll manage
