front end alignment keeps going bad
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by jeffdoerr
shop says it is fine, all alignment stats are perfect, everything related is perfect and tight. BUT, has tight spot not allowing the steering to self-center (return to center). Says that maybe a tight ball joint or the gearbox is too tight. Going to take a better look this weekend.
Good luck,, Jim
New User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I had a problem with my steering coming back to center or so I thought, it turned out to be my front axle u joints were binding. On my 2001 the factory joints had no grease fittings. Replaced them and all was fine.
Tommy
Tommy
New User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I race a stock car, and we do alot with front end alignment. Camber is how much the tire leans in or out. Caster, or bump steer, is how the ball joints sit over each other. So with caster, if you had the wheel off and watch the spindle when you turn the steering wheel, the spindle will go up or down as it stieers left to right. If you didn't have any caster the spindle would stay parallel to the grould when you turned. We run toe out, how much depends on the track, the smaller the track the more toe out, I think on a street car you don't really want any toe.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 0
From: Millbrook Alabama
Originally Posted by murphyj
I race a stock car, and we do alot with front end alignment. Camber is how much the tire leans in or out. Caster, or bump steer, is how the ball joints sit over each other. So with caster, if you had the wheel off and watch the spindle when you turn the steering wheel, the spindle will go up or down as it stieers left to right. If you didn't have any caster the spindle would stay parallel to the grould when you turned. We run toe out, how much depends on the track, the smaller the track the more toe out, I think on a street car you don't really want any toe.
positive caster= / no caster = I and negative caster = \ if you can picture how your upper and lower BJnts are positioned.
camber is how far the hub(wheel) is leaning in or out off of 90*.
and toe is toe in= //----\\ toe out = \\---// no toe= []---[]
The tolerances the factory calls for are in 1/10th degree increments, this is where a good alignment machine and a tech that knows how to operate it come in. it doesn't sound like much but if the right side is out of toe by -.05 and the left is out of toe by +.05 then you have an unacceptable toe. same with caster or camber, a good alignment tech will try to get within 1/10 of each sides respective measurements. As mentioned before tires, wheels, suspension part condition can all aggrevate the measurements.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
reamer
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
May 15, 2017 10:43 PM
Dov
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
1
Aug 29, 2016 10:46 AM
granny_rocket
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
22
Dec 2, 2015 10:17 AM
VanFan
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
7
Jun 8, 2004 04:58 PM
