alignment problem

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Apr 3, 2001 | 06:15 AM

78f250

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alignment problem

Changed readius arm bushings, shocks, and coil springs in my truck over the weekend. Now if you are looking at the front of the truck, the front wheels are angled inward toward the center of the truck from the top of the tire to the bottom of the tire. Is this just an alignment problem. The truck run fine down the road and in turns. The springs were taller than the ones I pulled out but not by that much. Any ideas?

Apr 3, 2001 | 06:38 AM

78f250

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alignment problem

I think this is a camber problem but I am wondering why I am having it?

Apr 3, 2001 | 07:02 AM

Chuck P.

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From: SE PA

alignment problem

Yep, new springs did it, the only way to correct this is either put degreed "C" bushings in, or pull the spindles and remove/insert the tapered shims behind them (I use a combo of both with 3" of lift, bushings to get the opposite of yours and the shims then to correct it, bushings or shims alone just wouldn't get it with that amount of lift). The caster/camber is built in and is not adjustable. However, once the new springs settle a little bit, it may come back around. When you raised the front with the new springs, it "rolled" the front diff up at the pinion and caused this for you. Only other way I can think of to correct this is drop the radius arms, unless someone makes adjustable ball joints. Do give them new springs some time to settle though before you do anything, a couple of hundred miles anyway.

Apr 3, 2001 | 07:08 AM

Chuck P.

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From: SE PA

alignment problem

Sorry, that's for a 4x4, although on a two wheel drive the effect will be the same, but should be able to be corrected with an alignment if needed after the springs settle. I think they "bend " the I-beams if I remember correctly. Been a while since I owned/drove a 2 wheel drive that needed alignment!

Apr 3, 2001 | 07:36 AM

78f250

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alignment problem

Yeah, it's a two wheel drive. I have it at a shop now and they are looking at the alignment. How much will the springs settle?

Apr 3, 2001 | 08:44 AM

Chuck P.

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From: SE PA

alignment problem

The spring will usually settle anywere from 1/8" up to about 5/16" or a little more depending on the quality of the material they were made out of. Sorry can't be of more help.