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I agree that if everything is tight on a solid axle you should not be seeing a camber change just from backing up. Caster does have a potential dynamic effect here, but again, not if things are tight. Very strange.
Can you (or have you already) done a camber test using a gauge? Just to see exactly by how much it's changing between forward and reverse? It would be interesting to know just what your visual senses are equating to in degrees.
Good luck. Be interested to find out what's causing it.
I agree that if everything is tight on a solid axle you should not be seeing a camber change just from backing up. Caster does have a potential dynamic effect here, but again, not if things are tight. Very strange.
Can you (or have you already) done a camber test using a gauge? Just to see exactly by how much it's changing between forward and reverse? It would be interesting to know just what your visual senses are equating to in degrees.
Good luck. Be interested to find out what's causing it.
Paul
I scheduled an alignment on Monday. I will try to post my alignment sheet.
Please do!
And don't let them say you don't need all the readings "because they're not adjustable" either! I've heard that way too many times. You're paying them for their time on the rack, so you need all the readings.
And if their printer option doesn't work (heard that way too many times too!), be ready to take a screen shot of their display with your phone so you at least have a record.
Please do!
And don't let them say you don't need all the readings "because they're not adjustable" either! I've heard that way too many times. You're paying them for their time on the rack, so you need all the readings.
And if their printer option doesn't work (heard that way too many times too!), be ready to take a screen shot of their display with your phone so you at least have a record.
Paul
When I first got these tires, four years ago, I took my truck to Sears for an alignment. They told me they will adjust camber and toe and get a reading on caster since it isn't adjustable. I came back an hour later. He said only was toe adjusted and the sales guy said I was good to go. I asked for the print out and he said he would have to go get it from the mechanic. The mechanic walked in, handed me the paper and said camber is not adjustable on my truck. I said "BS, it is. Sounds like you don't know how to do your job." I looked at the paper and caster was out there. I said screw it and asked for the bill. He said $75. I handed over $50 and said "Your guy only did half the job and I shouldn't even pay you this." He knew he wasn't getting another dime, so he took it and I left and never returned.
Shortly after this happened, I went on deployment and just left it until now.
What alignment specs are you using? Stock specs will cause premature tire wear with oversized tires. Larger tires need less toe, even might need to go slightly toe out. There's no built in adjustment for camber on a solid axle, without using offset bushings or bending an axle tube. Caster can be adjusted with degreed radius arm wedges on the d44, but it'll affect pinion angle. If your camber is changing visually just going from forward to reverse, you have major issues. It's gotta be either ball joints, bearings or your spindles are loose.
Never made it to the tire shop for the alignment. Work got in the way. I am waiting for a good time.
Originally Posted by speedfreak78
What alignment specs are you using? Stock specs will cause premature tire wear with oversized tires. Larger tires need less toe, even might need to go slightly toe out. There's no built in adjustment for camber on a solid axle, without using offset bushings or bending an axle tube. Caster can be adjusted with degreed radius arm wedges on the d44, but it'll affect pinion angle. If your camber is changing visually just going from forward to reverse, you have major issues. It's gotta be either ball joints, bearings or your spindles are loose.
I am running 33x12.50 tires and my wheels have a 3.75 backspacing (I'm thinking this is the reason for the camber issues, too much pressure out there). There are camber adjustment sleeves that can be installed to correct the issue ( https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...78/model/f-150 ). I have used these before and they work great. I guess not a lot of people know about them but they have been around for a very long time. My toe is straight as an arrow and my caster has been corrected with use of the degreed bushings that you mentioned. I have double checked the spindle tightness along with the proper bearing tightness. My ball joints are still good as well. I was mostly hoping that someone would chime in that has had this problem and knows how to fix it. I may end up waiting until I buy new wheel and tires and get 15x8 wheels with 33x10.50 tires.
So I just went thru this from the beginning again, Why do you believe the camber is changing while reversing? And what are the symtoms if in fact it is changing? Not being a dink, just never heard of this.
So I just went thru this from the beginning again, Why do you believe the camber is changing while reversing? And what are the symtoms if in fact it is changing? Not being a dink, just never heard of this.
If I drive forward and stop and then look at my front wheels, the tires are very noticeably leaning inward. If I reverse and stop and the look at my front end, the tires are leaning outward.
Would it help if you had someone move the truck forward and reverse while you watch for some movement in the front end somewhere. Something has got to be shifting.
Would it help if you had someone move the truck forward and reverse while you watch for some movement in the front end somewhere. Something has got to be shifting.
That was actually a plan I had. Problem is, I can't find anyone I trust. I'm worth more dead than alive. Haha!
So I never made it to get the alignment. I just never really had a good time. A month ago, I ordered new wheels, tires, and the balljoint sleeves. The sleeves were very easy to install and they fixed my camber issue. Even going in reverse, it doesn't change my camber. Which leads me to believe that the old sleeves must have been worn out.
The tires are slightly turned to the right but you can tell that they are much straighter.
I do agree with that. I am in the Navy, so my schedule is never constant unless I am out to sea. I am about to deploy again so the alignment will most likely happen when I return.
