Lifted Truck Alignment
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Lifted Truck Alignment
I have a 6” lift on my 2015 SRW F250. The steering is a little looser than the F150 I traded up from. I’m assuming this is just the nature of the beast with the lift and there’s just more play in the suspension.
My concern is my steering wheel is crooked. It’s not that far off but definitely noticeable driving around town. I have had it to my local dealer twice already to try to center the wheel and both times no luck. First time it was off to the right, now its off to the left.
Am I crazy for thinking they should be able to center the wheel perfectly on this beast or do I just need to find a better dealer to do the alignment? (problem with that is I have to pay for it again). Or is this just something I need to learn to live with on these trucks?
My concern is my steering wheel is crooked. It’s not that far off but definitely noticeable driving around town. I have had it to my local dealer twice already to try to center the wheel and both times no luck. First time it was off to the right, now its off to the left.
Am I crazy for thinking they should be able to center the wheel perfectly on this beast or do I just need to find a better dealer to do the alignment? (problem with that is I have to pay for it again). Or is this just something I need to learn to live with on these trucks?
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 344
From: Breckenridge, TX
You can center the wheel yourself, that's separate from the steering angles set by the alignment cams and tie rod length.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...with-pics.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...with-pics.html
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 670
Likes: 6
Pretty incompetent when the dealership can’t even straighten up the steering wheel. Since they can’t be trusted to do that correctly, make sure the pitman arm nut is tight. That will definitely cause a loose steering feel if it’s not tight. Just because it’s got a 6” lift doesn’t mean it should have a loose feel
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 12
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You can center the wheel yourself, that's separate from the steering angles set by the alignment cams and tie rod length.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...with-pics.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...with-pics.html
This makes me disappointed in the dealership. Their tech couldn’t do this after 2 attempts and I eye balled it and fixed it in 10 minutes. Ha wish I would’ve posted this earlier, could have saved myself a trip to the dealer this morning. Thanks man!
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 344
From: Breckenridge, TX
Glad it worked out 
A lot of "loose" feel is caster angle. Roughly speaking for 2005+ Super Duties, a 4" lift pairs with radius arm drop brackets and neutralizes caster loss. 2" and 6" inch kits normally require caster correction. Unless you have a 4-link kit where you can change upper and lower arm length, like Ron was getting at you lost a good bit of caster angle and need it back to get that solid, centered steering feel. A little looser is expected because of the cross-over setup versus F-150 rack and pinion steering, but multiple inches of slop in the steering wheel is not normal even with a lift kit.
A lot of "loose" feel is caster angle. Roughly speaking for 2005+ Super Duties, a 4" lift pairs with radius arm drop brackets and neutralizes caster loss. 2" and 6" inch kits normally require caster correction. Unless you have a 4-link kit where you can change upper and lower arm length, like Ron was getting at you lost a good bit of caster angle and need it back to get that solid, centered steering feel. A little looser is expected because of the cross-over setup versus F-150 rack and pinion steering, but multiple inches of slop in the steering wheel is not normal even with a lift kit.
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