I have a 1989 Eddie Bauer with 35 inch tires and I put a 4" lift kit on it. Now the front tired look like this

\----/ Even when the car is on the ground. It seems to handle fine and work well, but it just doesn't look right. What am I missing? What do I need to adjust? Thanks!

 

get the front-end aligned.

 

And quick, your tires don't like that position.

 

 

I would wait a month or so before having it aligned, and most likely you won't be changing anything.
I've had two Broncos with Rancho and Pro-Comp lifts and both threw off the tire alignment as yours did. Both trucks settled down after a month of driving, especially if I took it off road and thrashed it a bit to work the suspension. Both times I took the truck in to have it aligned and was told they were off by 1/2 degree, and not worth doing because most likely it would be off 1/2 degree in the opposite direction. (caster or camber, I always forget which one). It was about $100 to have it done so I opted not.
It will just wear the outside edge of the tires a bit more than the rest (on 10" offset wheels) and by the time it's noticeable, it's about time to get new tires anyway.

 

You need to get a alignment. I have had several lift kits and never have had the tires at the angle you describe. I do not agree with the previous post about letting your suspension work in!!!! There has to be some reason your tires ended up at that angle.Take it to a alignment shop and most of them will tell you what is wrong for free.Did you install the lift? If you had a shop do it I would bring it back and get them to fix it. If you did the lift yourself the tie rods have to be adjusted to compensate for the new height(meaning alighnment)

 

Get the truck aligned, you will ruin your tires especially if you have mud terrains. I hope your lift kit came with camber bushings, if not you will probably have to buy some from the alignment shop. Plan on having it aligned in about 2 months once the springs settle some because then the tires will sit the other direction.

 

I didn't do mine myself, Off Road Unlimited did it and thats what they told me both times. And both times I took it in to get it aligned at different shops, and both times they said it was off half a degree and not to do anything about it. The first time I even had them write down the alignment measurements and took it back to Off Road Unlimited to see what they said. They said don't do anything.
I think he will be wasting his money to go to an alignment shop unless they are off camber by some ridiculous angle. It was $59.95 for my "free check". Wasted money. After driving it a few months, they do settle in and now they look almost flat. I replaced 4 tires just two months ago when I picked up a spike, and decided to get 3 new and used the spare so I wouldn't have different tread (about 50% gone on old tires). Very little sign of outside wear on the old tires.
Here is what my report said:
Left Front Right Front
Camber/ Caster/ Toe Camber/ Caster/ Toe
+.77* +4.31* +0.01" +1.07* +5.39* +0.02"

Front Totals
Total Toe CrossCamber CrossCaster
+0.03" -.30* -1.08*

It said preffered is:
Camber +.25*
Caster +4.00*
Toe +0.01"

* = degrees

More or less greek to me but it rides fine and no problem tire wear. Actually better than my older Bronco.

 

Thanks for the advice. I don't think these are going to settle down though. I have been driving on them for about 3 1/2 weeks because I thought the same thing and they are still at the same angle as when I installed the kit.

I did check the tread wear and it seems even but it only has been 3 1/2 weeks with no off-roading.

Thanks for the advice!

 

when you lifted it did you install axle pivot drop brackets, or just lift springs, that would create the problem you are having.

 

just lift springs....and new shocks...not pitman or whatever you were talking about either...

 

You need the axle pivot drop brackets. If you don't, you will be spending more in tires during your daily driving than in gas. Did you buy a kit or just springs? Most kits have the brackets with them. If you just bought srpings, you will need to get the brackets. A pitman arm is also a good idea, but not necessary for a 4" lift.

 

point me to a good place to get the brackets? Thanks!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-Oct-02 AT 07:34 PM (EST)]I do agree you have to have the axle drop brackets for this lift. I thought by reading your post you had bought a complete lift. the axle must be lowered to compensate for the taller springs. If this was a two inch leveling lift you would be okay but with four inches you need the brackets. superlift has the brackets. Oh and by the way where I live les schwab tire company tells you what is wrong or gives you a estimate for free.