caster correction?
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 642
Likes: 14
2005-16 Ford F-250/350 2.5" Replacement Drop Radius Arm Mounts
For those of you willing to do some grinding of rivets and cutting with a sawzall, PMF makes radius arm mounting brackets that have two bolt hole locations: stock and dropped 2.5". I put them on my 2016 as I didn't want to add drop brackets within the oem brackets. As far as I can tell the 2017 bracket is the same as 2011-2016 bracket. I'm sure Trevor would know for sure.
For those of you willing to do some grinding of rivets and cutting with a sawzall, PMF makes radius arm mounting brackets that have two bolt hole locations: stock and dropped 2.5". I put them on my 2016 as I didn't want to add drop brackets within the oem brackets. As far as I can tell the 2017 bracket is the same as 2011-2016 bracket. I'm sure Trevor would know for sure.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 156
Curious to see the Alignment print out. Would have been some help if we could see the print out from the previous Alignment also. 1 deg isn't much of a help to the way it was described as handling before. Also make sure they use the 17 software, You can tell if they scan your Vin# then select HD or Standard. Big Difference in HD vs Standard Specs.
Glade to see your heading in the direction you wanted.
Glade to see your heading in the direction you wanted.
this ^ ....
BGMSPD,
have to compare apples to apples here. if your truck was aligned to '16 specs, but then aligned to '17 specs with the drop brackets, can't really state the brackets are the solution. aligning the truck to '17 specs, without the brackets, may have corrected your problems.
I am glad something has worked out for you and your truck is driving the way it should.
I can only comment on how my truck drives. After the 2.6 and 2.3* caster bushings, my truck drives straight, has minimal bumpsteer, adaptive steering feels firm, and wheel returns to center like normal. I did have the 2* carli bushings, but had some issues still; mainly a right pull, and light steering when in tow/haul
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 7
From: West Newton, PA
Hackenbush,
Can you provide any details on the 2017 Specs. I would like to get mine realigned and I do not think it is correct. It was done a couple of months ago and I am experiencing the same symptoms as other people here. The dealer did it and gave me a print out, however I would like to compare my print out with the new specs. So I am 100% sure what to have them do.
Thanks,
Joe
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 176
2017 F-250 Heavy Duty Specs
Camber-left front + 0.9 to -0.6
Camber-right front -0.6 to 0.9
Caster left front Pos 4.1 to 1.5
Caster right front Pos 1.8 to 4.4
Toe -left -0.08 to +0.18
Toe - right + 0.18 -0.08
The issue is the machine defaults to Standard F-250, when they scan your Vin. Most of the hd options are add ons and don't reflect on the alignment machine. They have to chose Heavy Duty if you have Snow Plow or any other Heavy duty options and the standard specs are way different.
Camber-left front + 0.9 to -0.6
Camber-right front -0.6 to 0.9
Caster left front Pos 4.1 to 1.5
Caster right front Pos 1.8 to 4.4
Toe -left -0.08 to +0.18
Toe - right + 0.18 -0.08
The issue is the machine defaults to Standard F-250, when they scan your Vin. Most of the hd options are add ons and don't reflect on the alignment machine. They have to chose Heavy Duty if you have Snow Plow or any other Heavy duty options and the standard specs are way different.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
I would add that the caster specs above are a very wide range and work well with them OEM setup. If there has been any modification to the front suspension (ie. level, lift, larger tires, etc), the final caster angle should be in the high end of that range. As in 3.5 - 3.9 degrees.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 7
From: West Newton, PA
2017 F-250 Heavy Duty Specs
Camber-left front + 0.9 to -0.6
Camber-right front -0.6 to 0.9
Caster left front Pos 4.1 to 1.5
Caster right front Pos 1.8 to 4.4
Toe -left -0.08 to +0.18
Toe - right + 0.18 -0.08
The issue is the machine defaults to Standard F-250, when they scan your Vin. Most of the hd options are add ons and don't reflect on the alignment machine. They have to chose Heavy Duty if you have Snow Plow or any other Heavy duty options and the standard specs are way different.
Camber-left front + 0.9 to -0.6
Camber-right front -0.6 to 0.9
Caster left front Pos 4.1 to 1.5
Caster right front Pos 1.8 to 4.4
Toe -left -0.08 to +0.18
Toe - right + 0.18 -0.08
The issue is the machine defaults to Standard F-250, when they scan your Vin. Most of the hd options are add ons and don't reflect on the alignment machine. They have to chose Heavy Duty if you have Snow Plow or any other Heavy duty options and the standard specs are way different.
Camber-left front +0.2
Camber-right front +0.3
Caster left front Pos 3.6
Caster right front Pos 3.9
Toe -left +0.08
Toe - right +0.08
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 176
I would add that the caster specs above are a very wide range and work well with them OEM setup. If there has been any modification to the front suspension (ie. level, lift, larger tires, etc), the final caster angle should be in the high end of that range. As in 3.5 - 3.9 degrees.
The drop down brackets that BGM used with the SP bushing I use can put you 4.1 and 4.5. But just alone they put you around 2.0 and 2.5 with most of the stock bushings which will drive ok. A lot of the complaints bump steer/wandering on here have a some to do with new wheel width/OFFSET/Weight and tire size.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
Thanks. I remember reading somewhere that they were just about 4.0 so it's good you learned the true numbers. Just another confirmation that targeting 4.0+ is a good strategy to counter bump steer/wobble. There's no need to suffer with loose/floaty steering on these trucks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 176
Correct, It will eventually require a good front end man with a heavy truck alignment machine that does them daily. I would start there first. Let them do there magic and save a lot of stress/money. 60,000 70,000 Truck= Alignment 150.00/250.00 don't get it.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 165
Likes: 6
if you get a chance can you please tak a full side shot l, im wanting to get a b3tter look at how low hang. Also what leveling spacers are you running?
Thanks
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 810
Likes: 34
From: Sarasota, FL
this ^ ....
BGMSPD,
have to compare apples to apples here. if your truck was aligned to '16 specs, but then aligned to '17 specs with the drop brackets, can't really state the brackets are the solution. aligning the truck to '17 specs, without the brackets, may have corrected your problems.
I am glad something has worked out for you and your truck is driving the way it should.
I can only comment on how my truck drives. After the 2.6 and 2.3* caster bushings, my truck drives straight, has minimal bumpsteer, adaptive steering feels firm, and wheel returns to center like normal. I did have the 2* carli bushings, but had some issues still; mainly a right pull, and light steering when in tow/haul
BGMSPD,
have to compare apples to apples here. if your truck was aligned to '16 specs, but then aligned to '17 specs with the drop brackets, can't really state the brackets are the solution. aligning the truck to '17 specs, without the brackets, may have corrected your problems.
I am glad something has worked out for you and your truck is driving the way it should.
I can only comment on how my truck drives. After the 2.6 and 2.3* caster bushings, my truck drives straight, has minimal bumpsteer, adaptive steering feels firm, and wheel returns to center like normal. I did have the 2* carli bushings, but had some issues still; mainly a right pull, and light steering when in tow/haul
The shop that installed the brackets and preformed the alignment is the same shop that did the last alignment. And the specs provided by Hackenbush are exactly what is listed on the print out from my last alignment so without having my new alignment sheet in hand i'd have to say they used the right specs. So i can attribute the better handling to the drop brackets.