Steering Gearbox
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,736
Likes: 659
From: South AR
got you. I have a 2000. Looking online I May have mistakenly thought you could just drop one of the new caster bushings in versus getting one of those weld on adjustment brackets. Pardon me as I am naïve to that sort of thing.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Port Angels, WA
Your right Brian...some trucks have bushings that come in different degrees that are drop ins and some trucks will need the welded adjuster. I am just not sure which your truck would need. A good alignment shop can help you with a phone call. You will know if they know what they are talking about because they will know and have the part number. I hope that helps.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 993
It sounds like you are riding on the worn bearing grooves of a bad axle ujoints. Ever work a worn ujoint back and forth in your hands and feel the sticky spots once a groove is formed? Even in 2wd you are fighting a bad ujoint every time you steer the truck. Have one with a bind or a sticky spot in it and it will cause you to work the wheel back and forth to keep it staight. Have been there myself. Replaced everything with no luck, last new part was ujoints and my problem vanished.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 629
Likes: 85
From: VT
Front tires do not call for 70 psi, on my truck anyways. I believe it is 55 psi, and I believe this might be your problem and why the front end of your truck is all over the place. No amount of tire alignment will compensate for an over inflated tire.
I have tried greater than 55 for hypermiling, and it wanders. Correct pressure, much better.
For my truck, 56-57 cold is the sweet spot for wander and tire wear across the tread (stock size and type tires).
You might want to consider checking the sticker on your door and backing down some front end tire pressure and give it a try before getting another alignment.
I have tried greater than 55 for hypermiling, and it wanders. Correct pressure, much better.
For my truck, 56-57 cold is the sweet spot for wander and tire wear across the tread (stock size and type tires).
You might want to consider checking the sticker on your door and backing down some front end tire pressure and give it a try before getting another alignment.
Mine take 110 psi. Just depends on what size/rating tires you have. Soft tires might mask the problem but not fix what's loose.
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 2
Sniper, the OP, stated that he is running Cooper AT3 in stock tire size on an 00 F250 PSD and the fronts were aired up to 70 psi.
He said that it was like chasing a snake or that it was wandering like following grooves in the road.
The way he described it, it sounds like it could be what we call "tramlining".
Tramlining is caused by either alignment settings or running higher tire pressures than necessary, OR both.
Since his truck is similar to mine and running AT3s in stock tire size, he just finished alot of front end work and he said his alignment was dead on, I just thought that he might try airing the front end down from 70 psi to the recommended 55 psi and give it a try.
Wouldn't cost anything to give it a try.
BTW-I agree that ideally a little more caster would be nice to have.
He said that it was like chasing a snake or that it was wandering like following grooves in the road.
The way he described it, it sounds like it could be what we call "tramlining".
Tramlining is caused by either alignment settings or running higher tire pressures than necessary, OR both.
Since his truck is similar to mine and running AT3s in stock tire size, he just finished alot of front end work and he said his alignment was dead on, I just thought that he might try airing the front end down from 70 psi to the recommended 55 psi and give it a try.
Wouldn't cost anything to give it a try.
BTW-I agree that ideally a little more caster would be nice to have.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,802
Likes: 1,333
From: Elk Grove, CA
FYI Powerstrokehelp is a 50% dumpster fire.
Caster would certainly help. Bicycle guys know this, a steep rake is good for sporty tight handling, but a longer rake (more caster) slows the turning effect and promotes relaxed road behaviour.
Like to see a link or PN to a 5* caster bushing.
Caster would certainly help. Bicycle guys know this, a steep rake is good for sporty tight handling, but a longer rake (more caster) slows the turning effect and promotes relaxed road behaviour.
Like to see a link or PN to a 5* caster bushing.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 629
Likes: 85
From: VT
Sniper, the OP, stated that he is running Cooper AT3 in stock tire size on an 00 F250 PSD and the fronts were aired up to 70 psi.
He said that it was like chasing a snake or that it was wandering like following grooves in the road.
The way he described it, it sounds like it could be what we call "tramlining".
Tramlining is caused by either alignment settings or running higher tire pressures than necessary, OR both.
Since his truck is similar to mine and running AT3s in stock tire size, he just finished alot of front end work and he said his alignment was dead on, I just thought that he might try airing the front end down from 70 psi to the recommended 55 psi and give it a try.
Wouldn't cost anything to give it a try.
BTW-I agree that ideally a little more caster would be nice to have.
He said that it was like chasing a snake or that it was wandering like following grooves in the road.
The way he described it, it sounds like it could be what we call "tramlining".
Tramlining is caused by either alignment settings or running higher tire pressures than necessary, OR both.
Since his truck is similar to mine and running AT3s in stock tire size, he just finished alot of front end work and he said his alignment was dead on, I just thought that he might try airing the front end down from 70 psi to the recommended 55 psi and give it a try.
Wouldn't cost anything to give it a try.
BTW-I agree that ideally a little more caster would be nice to have.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
I found these 4* bushings with a quick search.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...09/20516916-p#
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...09/20516916-p#
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 354
Likes: 9
Front tires do not call for 70 psi, on my truck anyways. I believe it is 55 psi, and I believe this might be your problem and why the front end of your truck is all over the place. No amount of tire alignment will compensate for an over inflated tire.
I have tried greater than 55 for hypermiling, and it wanders. Correct pressure, much better.
For my truck, 56-57 cold is the sweet spot for wander and tire wear across the tread (stock size and type tires).
You might want to consider checking the sticker on your door and backing down some front end tire pressure and give it a try before getting another alignment.
I have tried greater than 55 for hypermiling, and it wanders. Correct pressure, much better.
For my truck, 56-57 cold is the sweet spot for wander and tire wear across the tread (stock size and type tires).
You might want to consider checking the sticker on your door and backing down some front end tire pressure and give it a try before getting another alignment.
Door says 60 Front, 70 Rear... will give that a try!
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 354
Likes: 9
It sounds like you are riding on the worn bearing grooves of a bad axle ujoints. Ever work a worn ujoint back and forth in your hands and feel the sticky spots once a groove is formed? Even in 2wd you are fighting a bad ujoint every time you steer the truck. Have one with a bind or a sticky spot in it and it will cause you to work the wheel back and forth to keep it staight. Have been there myself. Replaced everything with no luck, last new part was ujoints and my problem vanished.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 354
Likes: 9
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,802
Likes: 1,333
From: Elk Grove, CA
IIRC the bushing holds the upper ball joint in position and is eccentric, so the axis of the upper ball joint can be changed by rotating the bushing. Rotating the bushing so the ball joint axis goes further to the rear will dial in more caster, making the steering less aggressive and less prone to wander. Maybe not a full 5* but it could help.
I was very careful not to change that when doing my ball joints, but in hindsight maybe cranking it back a few degrees might be good.
I was very careful not to change that when doing my ball joints, but in hindsight maybe cranking it back a few degrees might be good.