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Hey guys what’s going on, been going crazy over this my brain hurts. I know typically people with a level are looking to increase caster….well my truck being mine needs to reduce the caster. Here’s the story
17 350 4x4 2.5 inch level. Factory ford caster bushings on both sides.
Drivers side bushing says “L +0.12”
Passenger side bushing says “L -0.25”
When I leveled my truck I never did caster bushings, I knew I was going to be doing radius arms in the future, truck seemed to drive fine anyway, I ended up going with the BDS adjustable radius arms, followed their directions for 2.5” level.
Yesterday I replaced my tie rods, went for an alignment, they adjusted toe, said everything else looks good, the caster is WAY high (I’m a mechanic), I asked them about caster and they said not adjustable (I know it is) I’ll post a photo of my alignment sheet for you guys to see, the driver side is at 5.5 degrees and passenger is at 6.1 degrees, I took the truck on the highway today and it feels funky, it feels like it wants to wander or take its own direction a lot/funny after bumps, which it didn’t do prior to doing the radius arms. It also feels like the steering sometimes is sticky here or there.
My camber appears to be about where everyone else’s is on the forums here.
So my question is, what should I do to get my truck around 4 degrees on drivers and 4.5 degrees on passenger, as that seems to be around the “preferred” range for 17+ trucks?
I ordered a set of moog adjustable bushings, they said + or - up to 2.5 degrees. Didn’t know if there was another option with just a regular non adjustable bushing set, so that it won’t mess up my camber etc? Thanks!!
The bds adjustable arms have 2 positions, IIRC. One for 2.5” of lift and one for 4” of lift. I wonder if the arms are set in the 4” of lift? I’ve seen a thread around here where another member was experiencing the same thing. GL
The bds adjustable arms have 2 positions, IIRC. One for 2.5” of lift and one for 4” of lift. I wonder if the arms are set in the 4” of lift? I’ve seen a thread around here where another member was experiencing the same thing. GL
I followed their directions for the 17+ vehicles. It said to have the hole on their lower bolt plates facing the rear of the vehicle for 2.5” on 17 and up. I’ll double check their directions and make sure.
The 5.5-6 degrees of caster is not making the truck wander. That isn't a lot of caster and dialing it back to 4 isn't going to fix your issue. Huge wheels with incorrect offset with short sidewall tires is part of the problem and I think I would dial the toe even closer to zero.
Too much caster is not causing your wandering. There is something else at play.
You say the steering is "sticky". Question - do you have an aftermarket steering stabilizer? One that uses a bracket that bolts to the differential cover? If so check for contact with the drag link.
The 5.5-6 degrees of caster is not making the truck wander. That isn't a lot of caster and dialing it back to 4 isn't going to fix your issue. Huge wheels with incorrect offset with short sidewall tires is part of the problem and I think I would dial the toe even closer to zero.
I’ve had these wheels and tires for a year with no issues driving until I put the radius arms on and got an alignment.
Too much caster is not causing your wandering. There is something else at play.
You say the steering is "sticky". Question - do you have an aftermarket steering stabilizer? One that uses a bracket that bolts to the differential cover? If so check for contact with the drag link.
I had no steering stabilizer on at all test driving it and it had the same feeling as it does with my stabilizers back on. I did check all of my clearances when i installed it and everything does clear.
What did/does your tire wear look like?
Wide and flat stance like that and you were wearing the tires for a year, then did your mods, now tires are sitting a little different and skating you around?
Just a thought
What did/does your tire wear look like?
Wide and flat stance like that and you were wearing the tires for a year, then did your mods, now tires are sitting a little different and skating you around?
Just a thought
I just put the radius arms on about a month ago. Maybe 400 miles at best, I don’t drive my truck all that much. It’s a 17 with 29k on it. I’m going to try swapping tires front tires back and seeing what happens. But it felt great prior, now all of a sudden feels funny. I was wondering if caster was just too much
I would give yourself more toe in. Right now you're pretty damn close to zero, and when you're driving it's probably toed out.
Toe out will cause wandering/dartyness
what should it be set at? They said they “aligned it to stock settings” Which idk what the stock settings are, I just see other people’s alignment sheets on here
what should it be set at? They said they “aligned it to stock settings” Which idk what the stock settings are, I just see other people’s alignment sheets on here
It's on your sheet?
They obviously didn't align it to stock settings, since your caster is higher than stock...
Aim for .3 degrees, which is about 1/8" in when measured on a 35" tire. Imo, an alignment shop is a waste. You can fix this in your driveway for free in about half an hour...
They obviously didn't align it to stock settings, since your caster is higher than stock...
Aim for .3 degrees, which is about 1/8" in when measured on a 35" tire. Imo, an alignment shop is a waste. You can fix this in your driveway for free in about half an hour...
yeah they said caster wasn’t adjustable which obviously I know is. The “factory adjustments” was introduced regards to the toe apparently.
