In process of doing all 4 ball joints and noticed this - what looks like to me - a bad camber bushing on the driver's side. (See Pic) Can I reuse this one?

In looking at both of the camber bushings, I noticed they're not the same. Driver side has part #21839 with 2 1/4 degrees and the passenger side has part #21835 with 1 1/4 degrees. Is this typical? If I go back with the same 1 1/4 and 2 1/4 degree parts (I was going to get Moog bushings...) and if I put them in the same way that I took the old ones out - will my alignment be close?

 

Why are those bushings being replace? How was the alignment before you began replacing the ball joints? Significant tire wear, difficult handling etc?

Typically when replacing ball joints the caster/camber bushings are not disturbed or moved as the knuckle is under repair. Marking the before-repair position serves as a bench mark when reassembling so you have the same alignment spec's as before replacing the ball joints. After replacement is complete a competent alignment shop determines if the existing bushings are adequate to effect the alignment.

Bushings tend to not wear out unless its under extreme conditions. There's nothing really wrong with the one you show----and the alignment shop would supply the required bushings.

 

I have a different opinion than JWA …

Since you’re in there, I’d replace them with bushings that will allow more positive caster. Since replacing mine, and achieving more than 5.6 degrees positive caster, my 2008 E350 Super Duty has never driven down the road better.

 

No significant tire wear or handling/alignment issues. They were popped out to facilitate the removal of the ball joints (upper ball joints were completely shot, btw) - positions were marked, photos were taken all with the plan of replacing them in the same position. I saw the piece broken away from the bushing in the photo attached and got a little worried...

Somewhere along the way an alignment shop replaced the Ford bushings with these SPC bushings (I'm assuming...I've had the coach for 11 years and never had it aligned).
I guess it's normal to have 2 different degree bushings - left and right side?

There are so many threads/opinions on camber vs. caster that I am quite frankly, lost in the 'mire'. But, if I did want to allow more positive caster what bushings would you suggest?

Thanks, ryan

 

That's understandable but as I say there's nothing amiss with the shown bushing---since you mention no significant tire wear etc at this moment don't try fixin' what ain't broke. ..

Again if there was nothing wrong with your alignment before replacing the ball joints for the time being we'll assume someone has done a proper alignment. It is common and specified in the alignment spec's the left and right sides are slightly different and that's as it should be.

There are indeed more opinions than facts about alignment, we're seeing that here right now. Rather than allow yourself getting mired down in opinions based on guesses finish replacing the ball joints with the existing bushings, button everything up and head off to a competent alignment shop. They will determine what caster/camber you currently have with those bushings, what changes are needed---if any--and go about simply adjusting those settings. If the existing bushings won't allow the factory spec's to be achieved they'll replace them as needed.

You can ask the shop to increase your caster up to +5 degrees which is said to improve ride and handling. That's been discussed in a number of Ford van forums but to date I've not had a chance to implement that change. It is intriguing.

As to the advice you change bushings achieve more positive tell me how does one do that without knowing what spec's existing at this moment? Caster and camber is a function of the vehicle's chassis and steering components as it exists at this point in time. If anything has changed---like accumulated mileage or new parts---then those changes pretty much demand the alignment spec's be checked with the proper equipment, adjusted accordingly.

IF you changed the location of the existing bushings during the ball joint service that is another change whose results should be established before guessing how to "improve" things.

 

From what I remember looking a few months back, Those adjustable bushings are really just not that expensive. (all things relative I know).
But you are replacing Ball Joints, and needing to do an alignment (or at least see where the alignment is after you do this work). In for a penny, In for a pound I say. Throw down an extra $50 0r $60 bucks for a set of shiny, brand new, fully adjustable bushings! I'm sure the alignment guys will be glad to see the new parts. But in all fairness, I did not just go look up the price OR availability of new bushings for your vehicle. I could be wrong. Funny thing though, I was just browsing somewhere else on the forum & was reading a thread on "the death wobble". They started talking Caster suggestions & what has been recommended. The conversation was leaning to "REDUCING" caster from Fords higher recommended range to lowest range (somewhere like 2.3 degrees), to get "improvements" in drive ability. This had me confused because as the advice given above suggests, Most everyone has reported the advantages gained by an INCREASE in Caster to whatever higher range you can get to.
But I guess that's not really your question here. Just thought I would throw the 2 cents out there and let this thread get further input on the basic subject matter. Almost all information is good information if it's (close) to the subject.

 

Thank you both! Replies are much appreciated. I really don't know what to do about the caster setting - seems like there are so many dissenting opinions. I found the adjustable bushings for something like $37 a piece - not extravagant at all, but my real concern has to do with their quality. Again, a lot of dissenting opinions, but I have read through numerous threads/ reports etc. that suggest these adjustable bushings are NOT a good idea and that a lot of alignment shops will not mess with them. Since I have not been experiencing issues with my alignment over the 11 years I have owned the RV, I was leaning to just going back with the regular camber bushings.

 

Can I ask another related question to this job - since I have the rotors off (and of course the outer bearing), should I repack? Grease looks pretty good and bearings look - and sound - fine. I'll attach a pic of one of the outer bearings and a view of the inner seal.

Thanks!

 

Stop listening to us and instead speak to your alignment shop----problem solved!

Don't do a job halfway, repack the bearings since you're already in there, replace the seals too---cheap insurance for future break downs on the highway.