83 E-150, 351w, C6

I picked this van up at an auction. A mechanic's special.
I got it running pretty well, but after testdriving it, I found
it has a funky front end problem.

Hoping someone can help w/ diagnosis.

To begin with, both front wheels have positive camber.
They both stick out farther at the top than the bottom.
Enough that it is noticeable, but not so much that it isn't driveable.
When driving, however, during a turn, it feels as if the front tire
is going to fold under itself. It just doesn't feel stable.

I've lubed tie rods and king pins, and done a basic inspection for
anything out of wack. With the van jacked up, there is not any
movement when grabbing a tire/wheel and jerking it.

On the driver's side, if I jack it up by the frame, the axle drops
lower than it does on the passenger side. The tie rod also rubs
against the drag link, but only when the suspension is hanging free.

I do not believe it's a king pin issue, as I recently replaced those
on my 79 truck, and I'm pretty sure what seized pins feel like.
The steering is smooth from lock to lock. Everything appears to be
original, and while the rubber boots have deteriorated on the tie
rods, there is not any slop in them.

I am leaning towards the axle pivot bushings, but it seems like it
would be more than that. Possibly a soft coil spring, too?

If anyone can give me some diagnostic type procedures for the front
end, I would greatly appreciate it. This thing is driving me nuts.

Sorry for the long post, just wanted to include as much
detail as possible. Thanks for reading.


-Ferrite

 

If the tires are sticking out at the top, and it has a twin i-beam set-up, wouldn't a possible cause be a ride height that is too high? Does it look all original, or has somebody been swapping parts? Maybe you can get a frontend shop to look at it. I usually schedule an alignment, and if they find something wrong, they will come tell me. I tell them I want to do it myself, and they charge me $10.00 and I take it home and replace the part.

 

I'd think either maybe a seized shock, or somebody put the swaybar in upside-down. It happens.
Measure the ride height- if it is level, it is too high in the front.

Jared

 

Well, it appears to be all original.

I did replace the shocks, but no change (except smoother ride)

I haven't measured it yet, but it does seem to sit pretty level.
So you're saying that the fornt end should be lower normally?

I'm thinking about just trying a front end alignment shop
and hopefully they can tell me what's wrong. Tough to find
places that know what they're doing on a twin I-beam setup, though.
Many claim to, but past experiences with trucks I've owned have
not gone well.

Does anyone know what causes positive camber?
Is it directly related to spring height?

I might try swapping in some junkyard springs just to see
if it helps at all. I'm on a tight budget right now and
trying to just make it driveable for awhile. It just feels
too unstable for my liking as is.

Thanks for the help.


-Ferrite