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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Fron wheels allignment

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Old Oct 28, 2003 | 09:50 PM
  #1  
lazytruck's Avatar
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Unhappy Fron wheels allignment

I took my Lariat Ford PU '81 for alignment. At the shop the technician told it was out of any adjustment on the driver's side wheel. He told me He got a reading of five degrees angle opening instead of almost zero (Referred to the vertical position, I believe they call it Toe). Anyways, the man says that this typ of suspension does not have any adjustment, I need to replace the I beam (I believe forged one) and chances are the shaft. Is that right?.
 
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Old Oct 28, 2003 | 11:07 PM
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hoxiii
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the toe is adjusted by adjusting the length of the tierods. i'm not sure of the exact technique on the Ford PU, but yes, it is adjustable.


Justin
 
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Old Oct 29, 2003 | 03:30 PM
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I just took mine in for an alignment too. It needs new camber sleeves so I can get mine tweaked. I can' keep all of the alignment terms straight.


You've got caster, camber and toe. I think he told me it was the caster that they couldn't adjust on my truck. Are you sure that isn't the adjustment they couldn't make?

I was a little short, so I couldn't pay the extra $$ for the new camber sleves at that moment. I'll get him to explain it to me again when I take it back.

Rick
 
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Old Oct 29, 2003 | 05:45 PM
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It is the camber you are refering to, not toe. I do believe the only way to get changes in camber would be installing cam kits if possible, or bending the i beam.
 
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Old Oct 29, 2003 | 08:08 PM
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Caster isn't adjustable from the factory, but there is a kit mentioned in the manuals that's installed on the radius arm to make it adjustable. Camber is adjustable from the mid-80's on; I don't know if your '81 would be or not. Bending the I-beams may be the only way. How does the truck drive, and how are the tires wearing?
 
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Old Oct 29, 2003 | 08:14 PM
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It is indeed the castor that can not be adjusted. I don't know how it ever gets unadjusted. I know that there are two possible cures. One is to replace the camber/castor bushings. And two is to have the I-beams bent. Usually you have to do one before you do the other in order to get an accurate reading. But it's not all that expensive to get the beams bent if you know a good spring or front end place. Happy bending...
 
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Old Oct 30, 2003 | 11:41 AM
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Thank you guys Here it comes some additional comments
Hoxiii, I was wrong It should be caster or camber. The thing is that the wheel is got an angle around 5 degrees open regarding the top of the vehicle.
Rick, Sharker, Xwarrior, thanks for the advice. I do not know either why this problem arised. I do not remember hitting the wheel against anything.
The truck pulls towards the troubled whell,(the driver side) and tire shows excesive wear on the outer shoulder. By trying to drive the truck straight I have to turn the drive wheel the opposite side, by then, the passsenger tire looks like having increased wear but this one is even on all the surface.
Regarding those cam kits, would you explain me a little further where can I get them and where they go installed?. What about those bushings?.If by chance you have a drawing or a picture it may be great. I have a Chilton´s book but it does not show detail nor referes to it.
What chances do I have to solve the issue by replacing the arm with a used one form the yunk yard?.


 
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Old Oct 30, 2003 | 12:07 PM
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From: Metamora
Here is a website with some basic definitions of caster, camber and toe.

http://www.whiteline.com.au/faqsusp01.htm

Superlift makes caster / camber alignment bushings that they recommend for coil only lifts (1" to 2") on TTB trucks.

Is the ride height the same on both passenger and driver side?

Is the truck in spec for toe settings?
 
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Old Oct 30, 2003 | 06:07 PM
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on your truck

toe in is adjustible
camber is not depending on if you have king pins or if you have ball joints(ball joints are adjustible king pins are not ) well to adjust camber on trucks with king pings the i beam has to be bent ,not maney shops do this though if you have ball joints there should be a camber adjuster on the top joint
 
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Old Oct 30, 2003 | 07:15 PM
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Kholer,Rustbucket,
I have visited the website on definitions. My truck's problem is camber. I will spend some time this weekend working on your suggestions. I have a much clear idea of the problem. I will let you guys know what I could find.

 
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Old Oct 30, 2003 | 07:49 PM
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My 86 has the twin traction beam frontend. Independent 4wd. The camber is what is not adjustable on these, but shims are available from any auto parts store, but thier expensive. My truck was alligned last year, they told me that it was off by about 2 degrees. He said if I didn't have uneven tire wear, don't worry about it. I never did fix it and the truck goes down the road like new. New tires are holding up fine too.
 
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