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Found my problem. One of the 2.3/2.6 degree Caster Adjusting Sleves was installed backwards. They also have 0.3 degree camber built in. I went ahead and turned one around and got it realigned. The truck now drives straight, but it feels a little light on the steering wheel.
Im not sure I turned the right one around, maybe they are both backwards now!!!!! The fat part of the wedge on the sleeves are now forward.
Or maybe need a new steering damper?
These are my numbres
LEFT RIGHT
Caster 2.38 2.54
Camber 0.01 -0.01
Toe 0.02 0.04
Steering damper isn't a factor here. I'm clueless on the numbers, sorry. I do know that insufficient caster will make the handling too quick and/or squirrelly. That said, "drives straight but feels a little light on the steering wheel" does not sound like a problem.
I bet some pics of the sleeves can help! Somebody out there has a similar setup and pics will get those noggins joggin.
Found my problem. One of the 2.3/2.6 degree Caster Adjusting Sleves was installed backwards. They also have 0.3 degree camber built in. I went ahead and turned one around and got it realigned. The truck now drives straight, but it feels a little light on the steering wheel.
Im not sure I turned the right one around, maybe they are both backwards now!!!!! The fat part of the wedge on the sleeves are now forward.
Or maybe need a new steering damper?
These are my numbres
LEFT RIGHT
Caster 2.38 2.54
Camber 0.01 -0.01
Toe 0.02 0.04
What do you think?
I prefer a rock solid straight line heavier steer since most miles are done on the highway and these will never be a nimble sports car in the turns so might as well make it a land yacht. That said 3.5* of caster is as light as I would go. , 2.5 is just to squirelly for my liking. ( I run mine at 5* )
Rriverroll,
Check out your local NAPA store. They carry(or uses to 10 years ago) a two piece replacement bushing that is adjustable for both caster and camber. It consists of two cammed bushings, one inside of the other that will allow you to dial in your cam/cast to whatever you want without having to swap out bushings like the factory setup requires. I've lost the part number but they should be able to pull it up. I've used them on my farm truck for a decade and they stay put when clamped down even while bouncing around in pastures so they should do fine for a road warrior.
Adjustable cams is one way to go, I went with the fixed ones bought based on the alignment readings. Nevertheless Im still not sure they are installed properly.
At this point it seems my truck pulling to one side problems are solved, problem was one bushing installed backwards,
I just need someone to verify for me if the more or less 2.5 degree caster is enough and normal, and if the think the bushings are ok or backards. Fat part of wedge and slit on the bushings are forward.
Steering damper isn't a factor here. I'm clueless on the numbers, sorry. I do know that insufficient caster will make the handling too quick and/or squirrelly. That said, "drives straight but feels a little light on the steering wheel" does not sound like a problem.
I bet some pics of the sleeves can help! Somebody out there has a similar setup and pics will get those noggins joggin.
Oh Ive tried my truck with dual steering dampers, and it sure makes the steering heavier. Problem is the are in harms way offroading, trashed them twice already.
My tires wear on the inside more than outside. I run 285 76 16s. A bit larger than OEM but not much. That wouldn't be enough to require new caster/camber sleeves would it?
New ball joints, bearings etc and an alignment 2yrs ago.
My F250 is pulling to left a bit. I have to maintain some pressure on the steering wheel to the right to make it go straight.
To it to the alignment shop, toe and steering whhel position were adjusted.
Caster is were it should be. Truck has 4 inch lift so its using specialty products sleves to correct caster
Driver side 23268 Cam +.50 / Cas +2.3
Passenger 23269 Cam +.30 / Cas +2.6
Alignmet shop says that I need to adjust the driver side camber since its a -1 degree. All other numbers are spot on. Ill rotate the sleve a bit to get some camber but I dont think this is the culprit.
Any other ideas on why it would pull to the left? How about a misaligned rear axle? Or a bad steering damper?
Thanks
Both camber and caster are adjusted for road crown so it's overcompensated for. It's not by much but caster pulls to the most negative and ideally .5 deg offset for road crown, camber pulls to most positive and a .25 split is ideal for road crown compensation. A little camber should fix it as long as you don't have any really worn components.
Do you guys recommend Specialty Products camber adjustment sleeves? I have too much neg camber in my left front wheel. They have two types for F350 4WD applications but I'm not sure which is more appropriate for my 2002 7.3 F350.
