alignment issues
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 298
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From: San Diego, CA
alignment issues
Hey Fellas, truck is a 1987 F-250 6.9l diesel 2wd, extended cab, long bed. Oversized tires, no lift. 285/85/15
Alright, my dad took the truck to the alignment shop yesterday. He came home and called me about 45 minutes later saying it wasn't good. Said he had to get another I-beam for the passenger side, saying mine was bent and the truck was probably in a accident.
So he buys the i-beam for me and has my mechanic come over and start replacing it. They pull the old i-beam and it looks identical. My mechanic said he'll finish the install tomorrow as daylight was running out.
I'm starting to have doubts about this alignment guy and wasting my money. He told my dad that the caster is way off, apparently about 2". To me the tire sits center in between the fender. I was thinking maybe the radius arm bushing.
I can't sleep because of this...
Going back to bed, thanks in advance for any help.
Erik
1987 F-250 6.9l diesel 2wd extended cab long bed
Alright, my dad took the truck to the alignment shop yesterday. He came home and called me about 45 minutes later saying it wasn't good. Said he had to get another I-beam for the passenger side, saying mine was bent and the truck was probably in a accident.
So he buys the i-beam for me and has my mechanic come over and start replacing it. They pull the old i-beam and it looks identical. My mechanic said he'll finish the install tomorrow as daylight was running out.
I'm starting to have doubts about this alignment guy and wasting my money. He told my dad that the caster is way off, apparently about 2". To me the tire sits center in between the fender. I was thinking maybe the radius arm bushing.
I can't sleep because of this...
Going back to bed, thanks in advance for any help.
Erik
1987 F-250 6.9l diesel 2wd extended cab long bed
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 298
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From: San Diego, CA
Well, the new I-beam is in place. We used the hub/caliper holder that came from the yard. We ended up needing the caliper from the yard as well since the original caliper wouldn't fit. Luckily the original brake pads fit.
My dad drove it and he said, "wow, the steering wheel recovers from a turn much better". He dropped it off at the alignment shop and we'll know more after 5pm today. I'm hopeful and keeping my fingers crossed.
Lazy K, I think you may be right!!
My dad drove it and he said, "wow, the steering wheel recovers from a turn much better". He dropped it off at the alignment shop and we'll know more after 5pm today. I'm hopeful and keeping my fingers crossed.
Lazy K, I think you may be right!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
When you are looking at caster and camber, you are looking at the front tires from the front. Which way does the tire lean pointed straight ahead, top in or top out in relation to the bottom. Think of the old VW's when nothing was in the car the rear tires sat like this \ /. When it was loaded down the rear tires sat like this / \.
Then compare them at full turn left and full turn right.
Also the twist or bend may not be visable to the eye.
A little on the 4" tall axle is a lot on the 33" tall tire.
Then compare them at full turn left and full turn right.
Also the twist or bend may not be visable to the eye.
A little on the 4" tall axle is a lot on the 33" tall tire.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
The I-beam style suspension is notorious for camber problems, but it usualy is due to bushing problems. Caster is the amount of roll the axle has, and gives that "center" feeling. The axle actually is tilted a little to make the wheel want to run set, like the caster wheels of a grocery cart. The tilt is kinda like this \viewed from the driver's side, with the tires installed, you would never even begin to visually see it. Just because the wheel was centered in the fenderwell doesn't mean it wasn't improperly repaired either. 2" sounds like a lot though, all the same.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 298
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From: San Diego, CA
You guys are right!! The twist was not visible to the eye. The i-beam was replaced. The alignment mechanic was able to get everything back to within spec. He said the kingpins should be replaced but he was able to grease them. He also said drive it regularly for 2 weeks and come back so he can regrease them again.
Now on to the next issues... Exhaust leak and passenger side window motor.
Erik
Now on to the next issues... Exhaust leak and passenger side window motor.
Erik
