Do all Ford Trucks have alignment issues?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
The road surface has a LOT to do with pulling.... don't believe the bull 
My '01 is straight as an arrow - except on this one piece of road here in Lindenhurst... it is so worn, and they did such bad job of resurfacing it, both my vehicles (other is a '97 Cougar) pull all over the place. They've both done it since brand new, my '96 t-bird did the same thing, etc.
I would really look for a big parking lot and see if it goes straight. If you find that it always pulls on all types of roads and parking lots, well, get it done right somewhere.
If you do determine something is wrong, it sounds like the thrust-line is off. Which is hard to check if you don't know what you're doing or don't have the proper equipment. It's one of the reasons I never get my (new) cars aligned ever unless something is changed - too much chance of someone screwing up the thrust line...
My '01 is straight as an arrow - except on this one piece of road here in Lindenhurst... it is so worn, and they did such bad job of resurfacing it, both my vehicles (other is a '97 Cougar) pull all over the place. They've both done it since brand new, my '96 t-bird did the same thing, etc.
I would really look for a big parking lot and see if it goes straight. If you find that it always pulls on all types of roads and parking lots, well, get it done right somewhere.
If you do determine something is wrong, it sounds like the thrust-line is off. Which is hard to check if you don't know what you're doing or don't have the proper equipment. It's one of the reasons I never get my (new) cars aligned ever unless something is changed - too much chance of someone screwing up the thrust line...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,142
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From: Denver, CO
My last 3 F250's were never ever aligned. The only one that had tire wear problems was my '86 and I know why that happened. All three have tracked straight as an arrow since the day I got em til they got traded in.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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I was also going to suggest checking the right brake. I had a '94 F250 EC LB that always pulled right and wore right brakes faster than the left. It was the caliper hanging up. I finally got it lubed up and the problems went away.
The crown in the road can make it pull. If you can safely drive down the left side of the road it will sometimes pull to the left. Same road, same direction.
Good Luck
Frank
The crown in the road can make it pull. If you can safely drive down the left side of the road it will sometimes pull to the left. Same road, same direction.
Good Luck
Frank
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Dover, Florida
The crown is accounted for. Even on a 'true' flat surface, it pulls like the devil. Most alignments take the crown into account (to a point) -at least, this is true with cars, I'd assume the same was for trucks -but regardless, this pull is beyond that.
I don't know enough about the undercarriage to go putting adjustable anything on the steering -Engines and parts of the driveline, brakes, etc, I know, but steering, I leave to those who know (grin)
BTW, anyone know what size wrench or socket is needed to change the fuel filter on the frame mount, on a 2005 F250 Offroad diesel?
I don't know enough about the undercarriage to go putting adjustable anything on the steering -Engines and parts of the driveline, brakes, etc, I know, but steering, I leave to those who know (grin)
BTW, anyone know what size wrench or socket is needed to change the fuel filter on the frame mount, on a 2005 F250 Offroad diesel?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Medford USA!
Just aligned mine for the first time since new (2000). It has a slight pull to the right. They said the alignment of the front wasn't bad, but the REAR was toed in and there is no adjustment for that (and most likely the reason it pulls right). You might want to have the rear checked too, just in case they didn't do it.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Dover, Florida
I will do that. I never knew you had to align the rear as well (thought it was 'pinned' in place) but after reading this thread, I'm going to make sure that the place can do both front AND back -and will do this after getting new rubber all the way around.
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Postmaster
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
I was looking through my links and came across this article on alignments. It was written back in '98, but it is well written and still helps to explain alignments. Hopefully you'll just be able to click on it, if not cut and paste.
http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/dec98/mech.htm
http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/dec98/mech.htm
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
One word of warning - if the rear is out of alignment either replace the rear, or find another alignment shop because they aren't doing it right. The rear should never need alignment unless you bent it.
The only thing that can be adjusted in the rear (not easily though) is the thrust-line. It still sounds like the thrust-line is out to me.
art k.
The only thing that can be adjusted in the rear (not easily though) is the thrust-line. It still sounds like the thrust-line is out to me.
art k.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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[QUOTE=EnviroCon]I was looking through my links and came across this article on alignments. It was written back in '98, but it is well written and still helps to explain alignments. Hopefully you'll just be able to click on it, if not cut and paste.
http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/dec98/mech.htm[/QUOTE]
That's good, thanks for the post.
http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/dec98/mech.htm[/QUOTE]
That's good, thanks for the post.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Dover, Florida
well, that being the case, there is no reason for my rear to be out of alignment (that sounds kind of odd.... 
) no bends, and the truck -while it works hard, has not been abused, or hit, etc etc.
) no bends, and the truck -while it works hard, has not been abused, or hit, etc etc.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by NightBiker
well, that being the case, there is no reason for my rear to be out of alignment (that sounds kind of odd.... ) no bends, and the truck -while it works hard, has not been abused, or hit, etc etc.
) no bends, and the truck -while it works hard, has not been abused, or hit, etc etc.Look at it this way - if the alignment "guy" checks just the fronts, and the wheels are straight up and down and perfectly parallel (or whatever the specs say, it may not be perfect on purpose), the alightment is "good".
Now, do the same for the rear - no problems, so everything is good, right?
Nope... because the front and rear are not parallel with each other. That's the "thrust-line". If the rear is not perfectly in line compared to the fronts, the rear end will push the rear of the truck slightly to the right or left.
Worse, if the rear is parallel with the fronts but moved left or right even a little bit, that will also affect the thrust line. I've seen local guys here who can fit a Superduty on their equipment, but there's no way that thing's been calibrated (or cleaned) anytime in the past 5 years...
How are the bushings in the leaf springs? Front AND rear if you got 'em.
You don't load all your tools in one side of the bed, do you?
art k.
