how do they do alignments?!?!
Thread Starter
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Infidel
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 2
From: Elkhorn WI
how do they do alignments?!?!
Hi guys and girls, i just got a set of new 36" Super Swamper TSL's and i need my axles aligned. I know for chevy they use "Shims" but im TOTALLY LOST when it comes to ford axles. can anyone please tell me how they do it!!! Thx
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Well according to Chilton's:
1. the camber adjustment is provided by means of a series of interchangeable mounting sleeves (camber adjusters) for the upper ball joint stud.
2. To adjust. remove the front wheels.
3. remove the upper ball joint nut and loosen the ball joint nut at the end of the stud.
4. Break the spindle loose from the ball joint studs with the proper tool.
5. Remove the caster adjuster sleeve and remove the adjuster out of the spindel with the proper tool.
6. Install the camber adjuster on the top ball joint stud with the arrow pointing outward for positive camber and inward for negative camber.
7, Install the nut on the upper ball joint and the lower ball joint stud and tighten
8. Reinstall the wheels,
9. The caster is not adjustable on the Bronco and the F150 - 4WD vehicles
1. the camber adjustment is provided by means of a series of interchangeable mounting sleeves (camber adjusters) for the upper ball joint stud.
2. To adjust. remove the front wheels.
3. remove the upper ball joint nut and loosen the ball joint nut at the end of the stud.
4. Break the spindle loose from the ball joint studs with the proper tool.
5. Remove the caster adjuster sleeve and remove the adjuster out of the spindel with the proper tool.
6. Install the camber adjuster on the top ball joint stud with the arrow pointing outward for positive camber and inward for negative camber.
7, Install the nut on the upper ball joint and the lower ball joint stud and tighten
8. Reinstall the wheels,
9. The caster is not adjustable on the Bronco and the F150 - 4WD vehicles
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Ohia
just take it to a truck alignment place, they will most likley have the parts you need and can tell ya how to do it. Sucks once you get a lift no body round here will touch it if "the suspention has been altered' i got mine aligned at the same place we have a our bus' aligned at work
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Ohia
Originally Posted by Tidybowlman0
Well according to Chilton's:
1. the camber adjustment is provided by means of a series of interchangeable mounting sleeves (camber adjusters) for the upper ball joint stud.
2. To adjust. remove the front wheels.
3. remove the upper ball joint nut and loosen the ball joint nut at the end of the stud.
4. Break the spindle loose from the ball joint studs with the proper tool.
5. Remove the caster adjuster sleeve and remove the adjuster out of the spindel with the proper tool.
6. Install the camber adjuster on the top ball joint stud with the arrow pointing outward for positive camber and inward for negative camber.
7, Install the nut on the upper ball joint and the lower ball joint stud and tighten
8. Reinstall the wheels,
9. The caster is not adjustable on the Bronco and the F150 - 4WD vehicles
1. the camber adjustment is provided by means of a series of interchangeable mounting sleeves (camber adjusters) for the upper ball joint stud.
2. To adjust. remove the front wheels.
3. remove the upper ball joint nut and loosen the ball joint nut at the end of the stud.
4. Break the spindle loose from the ball joint studs with the proper tool.
5. Remove the caster adjuster sleeve and remove the adjuster out of the spindel with the proper tool.
6. Install the camber adjuster on the top ball joint stud with the arrow pointing outward for positive camber and inward for negative camber.
7, Install the nut on the upper ball joint and the lower ball joint stud and tighten
8. Reinstall the wheels,
9. The caster is not adjustable on the Bronco and the F150 - 4WD vehicles
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,007
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
The trick is to buy adjustable shims. With them they can adjust camber and caster really easy without pulling the ball joint. The stock set up is usually a "0" shim and you have to buy a different size shim, rip everything apart to install - then hope the alignment gave you the right reading the first time. If not, re-order and try again. I've had shops tell me that trucks just don't align well - get used to it. But with the adjustable shims, they can easily center the cross hairs on the machine. Several companies make them. I like Ingalls. Most good 4x4 shops can order. You need to get your truck up on the alignment machine to see how far off it is before ordering - they make different ranges.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock, TX
I used to do lots of alignments. We called them "cam sleeves" and they come in varying offsets. Once we got the truck on the rack and saw the initial numbers we were usually able to get the right sleeve in there the first time. You rotate the sleeves until the camber and caster are where you want them (the caster really isn't that important; it's the cross-caster that is though). Once you've got that set, you set the toe and you're done. There is no adjustment to do to the rear of a solid-axle RWD vehicle.
There's no good way to do alignments on your own. Just take it to a shop (a 4WD shop since you've got oversized tires) and they'll take care of it. Get a lifetime alignment if you can; you'll be glad you did.
There's no good way to do alignments on your own. Just take it to a shop (a 4WD shop since you've got oversized tires) and they'll take care of it. Get a lifetime alignment if you can; you'll be glad you did.
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Thread Starter
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Infidel
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 2
From: Elkhorn WI
done...
thx guys...i went to farm and fleet and i seen they did alingments...$40 in labor the guy said and no parts. I figured out why the axle had positive camber! i seen on the bottom of the axle there had been a few dents...from the axle hitting rocks with some force.
