Bent I-Beam
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New User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21
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Bent I-Beam
Hey guys I have a question about straightening a slightly bent I-Beam. I have been searching for the answer to my alignment problems for almost a year and couldn't find anyone with the answer until last night. A friend told me that the I-beams could be bent to adjust alignment and that a poor job could have messed it up. I jacked up the front end to allow the suspention to sag and there it was! The passenger's side I-Beam is bent about an inch back right in the middle. So now, without going to an alignment or front end shop, how can I bend it back with out hurting anything else? How hard is the steel?
thanks,
mike
thanks,
mike
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 207
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From: Oklahoma
Bent I-Beam
Mike,
The I beam alignment process is a delicate proceedure by experienced frontend specialists. Generally when the I-beam has to be bent there is a special tool clamped onto the I-beam to put stress in the direction to be bent. Then heat is very carefully applied. If it is not done correctly then you can end up with a situation like you have. I would recomend that you find a frontend alignment shop that has the needed experience to do the job well. The other option is to replace the whole I-beam with one from a donor truck that has good alignment if you can fine one. I know that there are several guys that are upgrading their 1961-1966 Ford truck to front disk brakes and are replacing the whole I-beam with the disk brake rotor attached.
Just some thoughs to consider.
The I beam alignment process is a delicate proceedure by experienced frontend specialists. Generally when the I-beam has to be bent there is a special tool clamped onto the I-beam to put stress in the direction to be bent. Then heat is very carefully applied. If it is not done correctly then you can end up with a situation like you have. I would recomend that you find a frontend alignment shop that has the needed experience to do the job well. The other option is to replace the whole I-beam with one from a donor truck that has good alignment if you can fine one. I know that there are several guys that are upgrading their 1961-1966 Ford truck to front disk brakes and are replacing the whole I-beam with the disk brake rotor attached.
Just some thoughs to consider.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 632
Likes: 8
Bent I-Beam
Willie is correct, don't try to align a bent I-beam at home. I would go to a ford dealer if alignment is your choice.If you can find one, just get a SET from a doner truck. I think if you leave the king pins in, and swap the set from the doner, it won't be too bad. Don't forget, if the i-beam is bent, other suspension parts may need some help too..Good Luck
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Bent I-Beam
Mike, I use a large local tire dealer, and they offer the I-beam alignment and had to bend one of my beams after I swapped in a 76 upgrade to my 66 F100. As stated by the other guys, leave to the professional.
John
jowilker
Club FTE since 01 01
NC Chapter
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night,
you can hear chevys rusting away.
John
jowilker
Club FTE since 01 01
NC Chapter
66 F100s
In the still cool hours of the night,
you can hear chevys rusting away.
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