Leaning Tire
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 3
From: S. Mississippi
Leaning Tire
my 82 F-150 has developed a leaning tire condition spontaneously. i've only seen it do it 2 times and it was while the opposite tire was pointing straight ahead, and on level ground. it tilts in at the top of the tire towards the engine compartment. The tires don't show any excessive wear like a front end alignment and it doesn't pull to either side when driving or braking.
Any ideas?? i'm stumped.
Any ideas?? i'm stumped.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 378
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Leaning Tire
Desp
Did you check the wheel bearing adjustment and or/ball joints for excessive play/wear? Grab the tire at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and push/pull. any wear will show up as axial movement. post back what you find!
Did you check the wheel bearing adjustment and or/ball joints for excessive play/wear? Grab the tire at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions and push/pull. any wear will show up as axial movement. post back what you find!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 3
From: S. Mississippi
Leaning Tire
yea i've done the old wheelbearing shake, and the tire only moves maybe a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch in and out (at the 12 and 6 positions.) it doesn't have any slop side to side. At highway speed it doesn't wander or anything, i can let go of the wheel and it will continue to track straight.
its really really confusing me.
its really really confusing me.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 3
From: S. Mississippi
Leaning Tire
The only thing i' haven't done to my truck yet was replace the Radius Arm bushings. And i haven't checked to see if they were tight. Its been over 2000 miles ago since i noticed this problem. and i have yet to experience any problems.
On another note, just below 45 mph, around 43, the truck does have an odd vibration. above 45 and its smooth as glass..... weird huh?
On another note, just below 45 mph, around 43, the truck does have an odd vibration. above 45 and its smooth as glass..... weird huh?
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
Leaning Tire
It sounds like balljoints to me too. Check all of the mounting brackets: radius arm, pivot mounts, make sure they're not bent or loose. Next make sure the Ibeams are straight and the spindles don't have any slop in them. The other thing is your front coil springs could be getting lazy, causing it to sag. MY 84 4X4 did that until after I installed new front springs. They were not expensive about 80 bucks a pair.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: S. Mississippi
Leaning Tire
I've heard it could be the springs too, thats what i'm holding my breath for.
I haven't done any serious offroading, but the roads here are pretty rough, so i figure if a balljoint was going to drop, it would have when i've hit some of the bad spots in the road around here.
I haven't done any serious offroading, but the roads here are pretty rough, so i figure if a balljoint was going to drop, it would have when i've hit some of the bad spots in the road around here.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Leaning Tire
The ball joints don't drop - they just wear & develop slack. Have you checked the axle pivot bushings/bolts? The spring would let the whole truck sag, so that's not it. The spring doesn't hold the wheel in alignment - it just holds the frame above the axle beam. Your problem seems to be either at the knuckle (ball joints), the axle (pivot), or the hub (wheel bearings).
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Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,357
Likes: 3
From: S. Mississippi
Leaning Tire
Wheel bearings have been addressed. The only things i haven't checked are radius arm bushings and the ball joints.
The steering has virtually no slack in it. well maybe a little, about a 1/4 turn.
I'll take a look at it closely tomorrow, since i'm going to be under there anyways dropping my gas tank.
i'll keep you posted.
The steering has virtually no slack in it. well maybe a little, about a 1/4 turn.
I'll take a look at it closely tomorrow, since i'm going to be under there anyways dropping my gas tank.
i'll keep you posted.
