Tire Wear Question
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 32
From: Maryville, TN
Originally Posted by tom_sprecher
I left out that it is 4WD, so the only alignment is toe.
Go get an alignment. Caster is pretty much set from the factory, but there are options. Worn bushings could have it off.
I'm guessing you have worn ball joints and your camber is off.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Care to explain how to make adjustments?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 2
From: Bozeman MT
Take the nut off of the top ball joint on the drivers side and you'll see the brass adjuster - though again, it is set at the factory and chances are that your issues are worn components on the front end and possibly tires. Is it lifted?
Jack up the axle so the tires are free, use a pry bar or 2x4 under the wheel to lift and expose the worn ball joints between axle yoke and spindle. Turn the wheel to expose worn hub/bearring unit. Crawl under and watch the track bar as someone else tries to move/pry the axle.
Diagnos and repair first, then adjust.
Jack up the axle so the tires are free, use a pry bar or 2x4 under the wheel to lift and expose the worn ball joints between axle yoke and spindle. Turn the wheel to expose worn hub/bearring unit. Crawl under and watch the track bar as someone else tries to move/pry the axle.
Diagnos and repair first, then adjust.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Take the nut off of the top ball joint on the drivers side and you'll see the brass adjuster - though again, it is set at the factory and chances are that your issues are worn components on the front end and possibly tires. Is it lifted?
Jack up the axle so the tires are free, use a pry bar or 2x4 under the wheel to lift and expose the worn ball joints between axle yoke and spindle. Turn the wheel to expose worn hub/bearring unit. Crawl under and watch the track bar as someone else tries to move/pry the axle.
Diagnos and repair first, then adjust.
Jack up the axle so the tires are free, use a pry bar or 2x4 under the wheel to lift and expose the worn ball joints between axle yoke and spindle. Turn the wheel to expose worn hub/bearring unit. Crawl under and watch the track bar as someone else tries to move/pry the axle.
Diagnos and repair first, then adjust.
I definitely want to diagnose first. I've done the ball joints on my '91 Wrangler, but only because I was doing a gear swap to 4.10's. I really don't want to dig into this thing any further than needed.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
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
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
sounds seriously out of alignment. One toed in and one out. I have my 2005 king ranch 4x4 f350 dually aligned if I feel it drifting when I let go of the wheel.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 32
From: Maryville, TN
Originally Posted by tom_sprecher
How do you adjust caster and camber on a solid front axle? I have a caster/camber and toe gauge and have aligned many race cars (struts, double A arms, etc.) and can not see any adjustment where I can align the solid axle except for toe.
Care to explain how to make adjustments?
Care to explain how to make adjustments?
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 257
Likes: 6
I'm NOT suggesting you try one of those DIY alignments. But look at the video below. Use this method to just see if your toe is way off. Keep in mind that some alignment specs call for a few degrees toe in. I'd still have a proper alignment machine look at it. We use Hunter Engineering at work. Even if the alignment is "not adjustable", there are numerous options for correcting it. I'm not familiar with these Ford ball joint adjustments, but you can usually purchase offset ball joints from Moog.
Also shake down the front steering and suspension. Usually a bad wheel bearing, ball joint, or tie rod will wear the inner portion of the tire. Outer edge is usually from an alignment issue.
Also shake down the front steering and suspension. Usually a bad wheel bearing, ball joint, or tie rod will wear the inner portion of the tire. Outer edge is usually from an alignment issue.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
I'm NOT suggesting you try one of those DIY alignments. But look at the video below. Use this method to just see if your toe is way off. Keep in mind that some alignment specs call for a few degrees toe in. I'd still have a proper alignment machine look at it. We use Hunter Engineering at work. Even if the alignment is "not adjustable", there are numerous options for correcting it. I'm not familiar with these Ford ball joint adjustments, but you can usually purchase offset ball joints from Moog.
Also shake down the front steering and suspension. Usually a bad wheel bearing, ball joint, or tie rod will wear the inner portion of the tire. Outer edge is usually from an alignment issue.
https://youtu.be/OzN0Z2HupcM
Also shake down the front steering and suspension. Usually a bad wheel bearing, ball joint, or tie rod will wear the inner portion of the tire. Outer edge is usually from an alignment issue.
https://youtu.be/OzN0Z2HupcM
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
No worries jeep guy simple misunderstanding, bent suspension could also be tight and cause wear on tires although usually you will experience some type of bad pull or issues with steering returning to center after a turn
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 257
Likes: 6
Good thought on the bent suspension. What front axles do these beasts have? I've thought the 250+ models had either Dana 44s or Dana 60s. If so, a bent axle yoke or knuckle could cause wear. On IFS trucks, the lower control arm could be bent to cause outer wear.